More venues in Cornwall close after staff test positive for Covid-19
Several venues in the Falmouth and Penryn areas have been affected
Three more pubs and restaurants in Cornwall have confirmed that they have closed after members of staff tested positive for Covid-19.
It was revealed yesterday that The Front in Falmouth had closed after staff tested positive and Cornwall Council said that public health officials were aware of a small number of venues in the area which had recorded positive tests.
Now it has been reported that Boo Koos in Falmouth and Muddy Beach in Penryn have both closed their doors due to positive Covid-19 test results.
The Shipwrights Arms in Helford also announced that it was closing after recording a positive Covid-19 test amongst staff.
On their Facebook page Boo Koos stated: “It is with great regret that due to a case of COVID-19 within our establishment we will be following government guidelines and closing with immediate effect for a period of time.
“We are actively working on isolating this case and testing those that may have come in contact so that we can establish a reopening date. During this, our team are working hard to contact all reservations scheduled for the next few days to inform them of how this effects their booking via email or text.
“Please note that whilst we are working on initiating a reopening date, there will be certain days of which we are currently unable to confirm or cancel before we know more. Thank you for your patience with us at this time. We really hope to see you soon!”
The Shipwrights Arms said on their Facebook page that they had closed as a precautionary measure.
They wrote: “Unfortunately we have had a positive result on a lateral flow test, and we feel it is necessary to get all our staff tested. If you have visited us you know we take our Covid safety extremely seriously.
“Please be aware we have not been told to close, we have chosen to be proactive in this situation. We hope to be open in a couple of days, if all our results come back negative.
“We have already contacted all the necessary customers to inform them of the situation.”
The Shipwrights Arms
And the Muddy Beach cafe in Penryn also announced their temporary closure on Facebook:
“Unfortunately we have had to close Muddy as off today due to a member of staff testing positive for COVID. We are awaiting PCR results- this will then set in motion the Track and Trace app and we will also notify anyone that left their name and number with us over the past two days. All staff working the past two days are also being tested and isolating.
“We thank you all for your continued support and we are just battling this horrible storm. We will re-open Muddy when it is safe to do so after 10 days.
“It’s been a bit of a crazy week with staffing issues, and now this! However we will get thru this and will see you all soon.”
Muddy Beach, Penryn
Cornwall Council yesterday issued a statement saying that they were offering support to businesses affected.
They said: “We are aware of confirmed cases of Covid-19 at a small number of hospitality venues in Falmouth. All positive cases are self-isolating and contacts are being identified and given appropriate advice.
“The venues are working closely with Cornwall Council’s Public Health team and Public Health England (PHE) South West to help prevent further transmission. No venues have been asked to close.
“While Covid-19 cases remain relatively low in Cornwall, we are now seeing a sharp rise in case numbers which reflects the national picture over the past fortnight.”
“We are working with these venues, Public Health England South West and our NHS partners to provide public health advice and help stop the spread of the virus.
“Our case rates in Cornwall are relatively low compared to the rest of the country, and we need everyone to help us keep it that way. It is vital that people don’t drop their guard as we enter the summer holiday season and we all continue to follow the latest public health guidance, remember ‘hands, face, space and fresh air’, self-isolate when required, and get the vaccine when you’re eligible to do so.
“I would also urge everyone to make twice-weekly testing part of their routine so we can identify cases even when people have no symptoms. Rapid Lateral Flow Tests are free of charge and can be picked up from your local pharmacy or ordered online.
“If anyone does develop symptoms, which include a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss or change to their sense of taste or smell, they should self-isolate straight away and book a test.”
Rachel Wigglesworth, Director of Public Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly