A number of pubs in England have shut after customers tested positive for coronavirus.
At least three establishments announced they had shut their doors again just days after reopening at the weekend.
They were among hundreds of venues that welcomed customers after three months as lockdown measures were eased – most apparently with no problem.
But crowds descending in some towns and cities prompted fears social distancing was being disregarded.
The Lighthouse Kitchen and Carvery in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, said it was “slowly” working through a list of customers who had left details at the weekend and that all staff had tested negative for the virus.
In Batley, West Yorkshire, the Fox and Hounds said a customer had phoned to say they had tested positive for coronavirus.
Meanwhile the landlord of the Village Home Pub in Alverstoke, Hampshire, said his team were awaiting test results after someone in a member of staff’s “family bubble” tested positive.
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Jess Green, manager of the Lighthouse Kitchen, told BBC Points West she decided to close to “put everyone’s health and safety first”.
“I felt I had to keep my customers and my staff safe which is why I chose to shut the pub. I’m gutted, but safety comes first.
“We could have opened today but chose not to as I think that’s the right thing to do.”
Indian takeaway Saagar, also in Burnham, said it would be closing until Friday to undergo a deep clean after one if its drivers had been to the Lighthouse Kitchen, along with bar the Vape Escape, which has also closed for a full clean after a customer’s positive test.
