Spate of restaurant, pub and cafe closures in Whitby after staff test positive for Covid-19

Workers testing positive for coronavirus have led to the temporary closure of a number of hospitality businesses in Whitby.
WhitbyWhitby
Whitby

The test results were announced by several pubs, cafes and restaurants following a busy Bank Holiday weekend in the town.

Although government statistics suggest only 10 people tested positive in Whitby between August 28 and September 3, more than 10 businesses have closed their doors.

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There have been cases among staff at Coast Cafe Bar and The Horse and Hounds in Hawsker, the George Hotel, French bistro Mademoiselle's, and Egton Bridge-based B&B the Postgate Inn.

Two tearooms - Rusty Shears and Stokers - restaurant Cosa Nostra, bakery Botham's, Mr Cooper's Coffee House, the Coliseum Cafe and pubs The Endeavour and The Black Horse have also closed as a precautionary measure to allow staff to be tested.

Some will close for up to a fortnight to enable staff to isolate and for deep cleaning.

The owners of Coast Cafe Bar, Wayne and Jo Gildroy, announced the news on their official Facebook page on Sunday.

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"It is with a heavy heart that we have to inform everyone that we have had a confirmed, positive case of Covid-19 with one of our team, and therefore we have taken immediate action and closed our doors until further notice.

"Anyone who has visited us will know we have taken every precaution that we possibly could to mitigate the chances of spreading the virus, and we have been as diligent as we can in ensuring the safety of our team and customers.

"Unfortunately, the team member affected had just joined us, and worked two four-hour shifts on August 31 and September 1.

"When their previous employers found out that staff members there had positive symptoms we instructed our new employee to self isolate, as per the current guidance.

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Even though they showed no symptoms, they drove for a test, which came back positive today at around 1.30pm. At the time of this posting, they have since lost their sense of taste.

"We immediately closed our doors, and notified the Environmental Health officer, who we will be liaising with, to form an action plan moving forward.

"Nobody else in our team is showing signs of any symptoms, but we will all be self isolating for seven days as per guidance.

"Can I please convey to you all how gutted we are that we have had to close down (again), but we cannot stress enough how important the health and safety of all our team, colleagues and customers is to us, and you are all at the forefront of our minds right now."

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Several staff at thr village pub in Hawsker, The Horse and Hounds, tested positive.

At the George Hotel, the bar has been closed but the guest accommodation will remain open.

At the Coliseum Cafe, a member of staff who was meant to be isolating was found to have been in contact with workers at an establishment where people had tested positive.

The Postgate Inn has re-opened after a 48-hour weekend closure.

Send details of any closed businesses in Yorkshire to [email protected], for inclusion in our weekly round-up.

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