The epic multi-storey go kart track in Niagara Falls that is reminiscent of something out of Mario Kart has had to suddenly shut down after only a month of being open for the season due to a COVID-19 case in a staff member.

After being told by the Niagara Regional Health Department that an employee had indeed tested positive for the virus earlier this month, the Niagara Speedway made the decision to suspend operations in the interest of public safety.

The spread of cases at #NiagaraSpeedway are on @jimdiodati’s hands. Plain and simple. Being anti-mask has out your constituents and workers at risk that spreads and kills.

Next up, these workers families.

Backtracking only goes so far once previous decisions harm people.

— 😷Justin😷Nicholls😷 (@JustinIsMayor) July 28, 2020

According to the establishment, the affected staffer "had adhered to all safety protocols in place, including the wearing of a mask, during each shift that was worked," and the decision to shutter is only out of an abundance of caution while the proper contact tracing and self-isolation of other team members is underway.

All workers will also be tested for the communicable disease, and anyone who was there between July 12 and 14 is being advised to do the same.

Because Niagara REALLY needs more people visiting right now... (sarcasm). We need to keep tourism down as much as we can, this is only going to enable the spread of covid. I'm sure the locals of Toronto don't want tourists right now either.

— 💌 tina 💌 (@Lunabobuna1) July 28, 2020

Being a travel destination that relies largely on tourist dollars means that Niagara Falls has been hit particularly hard by the months of pandemic closures, and was eager to open up again as soon as possible, inviting visitors back to the majority of its attractions in mid-June when it proceeded into Stage 2.

The two-year-old Speedway is just one of the amenities that people have flocked to since they have been allowed to return — and flock they have, with locals noting how overcrowded the Falls and the city's streets have been lately, with little physical distancing (including at the go kart track in particular).

Like many Ontario locales, Clifton Hill made mask wearing mandatory in all indoor public spaces earlier this month, though notably later than others.

Niagara Falls because of out of town tourísts and their bad habits, such as no social distancing and not wearing any masks has now become local COVID-19 epicentre https://t.co/uJoTarq1Xn via @WellandTribune

— Don.Smith. (@treeforte2000) July 29, 2020

As much of the province adjusts to Stage 3 of reopening — which includes the return of indoor dining, movie theatres, gyms and more — health officials are keeping a close eye on whether case numbers and outbreaks will increase, and worry that the Niagara region is becoming a new hotspot for the virus.