The Homer branch of Wells Fargo closed today after an employee there tested positive for COVID-19. The branch is expected to reopen on Tuesday.

David Kennedy, Alaska Regional Communications Officer for Wells Fargo, wrote in a press release that the employee’s health is being monitored by their doctor and public health officials.

“We wish our colleague a full and speedy recovery and will provide our full support,” he wrote in the press release.

Wells Fargo activated its protocols for an employee who tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. That includes notifying other employees who had been in prolonged, close contact with the affected employee and asking them not to come into the office and to follow public health guidelines. The Homer branch also was deep cleaned.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wells Fargo put in place measures to keep branches safe, including using drive ups, offering some services by appointment only, using protective barriers, enacting social distancing measures, and performing enhanced cleaning. Wells Fargo also requires face masks for employees and customers, Kennedy wrote.

“Our first priority remains keeping our employees and customers safe and well informed, while continuing to meet the needs of our customers,” Kennedy wrote.

Wells Fargo is notifying branch customers of the infected employee through various communication channels, Kennedy wrote, and advised customers to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html for information on steps to take if they feel they have come in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services also has information on COVID-19 at covid19.alaska.gov.

DHSS reported six positive cases for Homer on Aug. 1 and two more positive cases on Aug. 2, but it’s not known if the Wells Fargo employee is included in either of those case counts.

Kennedy said customers can visit the Wells Fargo website at www.wellsfargo.com for information on ATM locations and the status of branches. They also can use mobile and online banking tools.

Reach Michael Armstrong at marmstrong@homernews.com.

The Homer branch of Wells Fargo is closed on Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

A sign on the door on Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, informs customers of a closure of the Homer branch of Wells Fargo in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)