Kinver restaurant closes for two weeks after positive Covid-19 test among staff
A restaurant near Dudley has closed for two weeks – after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.
Harley's Smokehouse, in Dunsley Road, Kinver, closed on Monday evening and revealed the news on its social media page.
In a statement on Facebook it said it will close for 14 days after a "person within Harley's Smokehouse's building has tested positive for Covid-19".
The restaurant later added that the person who had contracted the virus was "from the back of house".
In a statement on Monday evening, Harley's Smokehouse said: "Sadly we have to inform you that a person within Harley's Smokehouse's building has tested positive for Covid-19.
"Please be assured to all those that have dined with us that throughout Harley's Smokehouse our staff have all efficiently and thoroughly practised safety and hygiene guidelines in and out of Harley's.
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"However, due to extended safety measures, we will close the restaurant for 14 days for precaution to keep everyone, staff and customers safe.
"If you have not been contacted yet and you are still concerned, call us on 01384 878899 or email us at info@harleyssmokehouse.co.uk with your contact details.
"We look forward to welcoming you all back soon!"
In a follow up statement on Tuesday, the restaurant added: "We would like to inform you that the person who has contracted the virus within Harley's Smokehouse was from the back of house.
"Therefore, Public Health England have said to us directly that there is no risk or threat to those who have dined in our restaurant. If you have dined with us recently you do not need to isolate or get tested.
"We have read a lot of comments on our posts which are untrue – therefore we would like to clarify that we did not know about this until yesterday [Monday] evening when the person contacted us. We had no knowledge of the person's Covid-19 testing result before yesterday [Monday] evening. The moment our staff were made aware that a person tested positive, we shut the restaurant down immediately.
"We also have taken all contact details with the online booking system and are contacting customers to reassure them and make sure that they are aware of the practices going forward. We would also like to make sure people are aware that the reason we are closing for 14 days is to protect our staff and also through the advice and guidance of Public Health England.
"We are in consistent conversation with them and we have taken every precaution and step to make sure we are updating everyone to the best of our ability."
