Two Sunderland pubs close after customer tests positive for Covid-19

The Golden Fleece and The Cavalier in Silksworth both announced a temporary closure after a customer was confirmed to have coronavirus following a visit to the former on Friday, July 31.

Both venues announced that they had chosen to close on social media on Saturday, August 1 to allow for a deep clean and to test staff.

The Golden Fleece said that a customer had ‘decided to have a night out’ – despite showing Covid-19 symptoms – while waiting for test results.

The pub, which was informed of the situation on Saturday, said the customer was then confirmed as having a positive test.

The Golden Fleece announced on Facebook that customers who were at the pub on Friday will be contacted through NHS Test and Trace.

A statement on their Facebook page on Saturday, August 1, said: “Unfortunately we will not be open until further notice as a irresponsible customer who was showing Covid-19 symptoms (while awaiting their test results) decided to have a night out.

“Today we have just got the news that they have tested positive. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes but our customers’ safety comes first.

“Soon as our staff have been tested and the pub has been deep cleaned we will update you all.”

On Saturday, August 1, The Cavalier’s Facebook page added: “We were informed this morning that someone who may have had Covid-19 could have been in the bar area last night.

"We are trying to trace this person and as a precautionary measure we have closed the bar and restaurant for 72 hours for deep cleaning of the bar area.

"However, our delivery service is still available starting tomorrow as usual by phone and Just Eat.

"Even though this person was nowhere near the kitchen or the staff, as a precautionary measure we are closing for deliveries today to give the deep kitchen a good deep clean too.

"Sorry for any inconvenience caused."

Anyone with bookings for Saturday or Sunday, August 2 should contact the pub directly, the statement added.

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