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Three pubs forced to close just days after reopening after customers test positive for coronavirus

At least three pubs have closed their doors just days after reopening because customers tested positive for coronavirus.

Bars in England welcomed back drinkers at the weekend for the first time since the hospitality sector went into lockdown in March, reopening as part of so-called “Super Saturday”.

But three establishments have alerted their patrons to say they have to close again after reporting cases of COVID-19.

The Lighthouse Kitchen and Carvery in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, said a customer had tested positive and it was making its way through a list of people who were in the bar on Saturday.

In a statement posted on Facebook, it added: "All our staff are going to be tested and we will reopen when the time is safe to do so."

The Lighthouse Inn in Burnham-On-Sea has had to close after one of its customers tested positive for coronavirus. (Google Maps)
The Lighthouse Inn in Burnham-On-Sea has had to close after one of its customers tested positive for coronavirus. (Google Maps)

Jess Green, landlady of The Lighthouse Inn, shut the pub and rang at least 90 people who had left their contact details when they had visited at the weekend.

She told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme: "The main thing that was going through our heads was we had to make sure everyone was safe, that we contacted everyone of our customers.

"It took us all day, we finished at about 10 o'clock last night.”

When asked what the experience was like, she said: “Stressful – that’s probably the only word I can use.”

The Fox and Hounds in Batley, West Yorkshire, said it would be closed until further notice after receiving a call from a customer on Monday to say they had tested positive for coronavirus.

Posting on its Facebook page, it said all staff had since taken a test and added that the pub will be "fully deep cleaned and when safe to do so we will reopen our doors".

The Village Home Pub in Alverstoke, Hampshire, said it had also "had a case of coronavirus in the pub", adding that "some of us are in isolation".

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Its statement on Facebook said: "The pub is now shut but all being well will open again on Saturday. Anyone who was in the pub over the weekend there is no need to isolate unless you show symptoms or are contacted direct by the trace group. Thank you and hope to see you soon."

According to the Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News, the man who tested positive at the Lighthouse Kitchen and Carvery was a customer at Vape Escape, a vape shop and cocktail bar also in Burnham-On-Sea.

Leanne Underhill, owner of Vape Escape, said the man who tested positive for COVID-19 also came into her shop at the weekend.

Read more: Boris Johnson tells Britons to behave responsibly as pubs re-open

Underhill was alerted to the fact that he had tested positive and had to shut her shop.

She said that four of her staff members were tested for coronavirus, but all came back negative.

Customers enjoying their drinks in Soho during the "Super Saturday" in London, Britain, 04 July 2020. Pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers in England reopen as part of plans to further ease the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown. (Photo by Maciek Musialek/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Customers enjoying their drinks in Soho during the "Super Saturday" in London. (Getty)
Members of the public are seen at a bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter, England, Saturday July 4, 2020. England is embarking on perhaps its biggest lockdown easing yet as pubs and restaurants have the right to reopen for the first time in more than three months. In addition to the reopening of much of the hospitality sector, couples can tie the knot once again, while many of those who have had enough of their lockdown hair can finally get a trim. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Members of the public are seen at a bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter on Saturday. (AP)

The shop reopened on Monday, with only one staff member in the premises at one time.

Meanwhile in London, Metropolitan Police commander, Bas Javid, said a small number of pubs closed early after advice from officers because of crowding and social distancing issues.

Read more: UK's 'Super Saturday' as pubs and restaurants reopen

“The majority of the public complied with social distancing guidelines and remained vigilant,” he said.

“While some areas were notably busy such as Soho and Portobello Road, we are pleased there were no significant issues or incidents in the capital.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 03: Staff at BrewDog Tower Hill prepare to reopen tomorrow with social distancing measures in place on Friday July 3, 2020 in London, England. After being shuttered for months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, pubs and restaurants, many of which have already been serving for take-away, can fully reopen as of July 4. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)
Staff at BrewDog Tower Hill prepare to reopen with social distancing measures in place on Friday in London. (Getty)

Rafal Liszewski, a store manager on Old Compton Street, said crowds began to arrive from around 1pm on Saturday.

“By 8 to 9pm it was a proper street party with people dancing and drinking,” he said.

“Barely anyone was wearing masks and nobody respected social distancing. To be honest, with that many people on one street it was physically impossible.”

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