It’s still unknown what might have caused the flu-like symptoms which closed two waterfront restaurants this weekend, as authorities begin ruling out causes.

Health officers have confirmed that serious contaminants such as E. Coli and salmonella have been ruled out as a possible cause of the outbreak. However they can’t say for sure if the outbreak was caused by the Norovirus.

The Chronicle Herald reports Public Health officials investigated The Bicycle Thief restaurant at Bishop’s Landing Monday and have cleared the eatery to reopen.

The restaurant has been closed since Saturday after upwards of 26 staff members and customers reported experiencing cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. The owner also closed its nearby Ristarante A Mano restaurant as a precaution.

Investigators from the Ministry of Agriculture were also at the restaurant Monday and found everything in good order.  

Meanwhile, a Carnival cruise ship is thought to be the likely source of the outbreak.

The cruise line issued a release saying over 200 passengers on the Carnival Glory were ill with Norovirus-like symptoms. The ship docked in Halifax Aug. 9, about a week before restaurant staff began reporting symptoms.

The company said the next voyage has been slightly delayed so they can clean and sanitize the vessel.

The Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia’s Gordon Stewart told the paper he believes the ship illnesses and the restaurant illnesses are linked.

The owner of the nearby Turbine clothing store said many of ship’s passengers were in her store talking about the illness, shortly before their manager came down with Norovirus symptoms as well.

Stewart says businesses should be warned when there’s an illness aboard a docking cruise ship…

He’s emailing Halifax restaurants to see if there were any other suspected cases…and sending out notices about the protocol for how to deal with Norovirus.