STAFF at a popular Wetherspoons pub in Bournemouth tested positive for coronavirus last week.

Two members of staff at the Moon in the Square informed the company of positive tests on Monday but the pub remained open last week.

They and a further 10 staff who have been in close contact with them have been asked to self-isolate for 10 days.

A company spokesman said: "Wetherspoon has notified Public Health England of the positive results. In line with the public health guidelines the employees have been asked to self- isolate for a 10-day period. Wetherspoon wishes the employees a full and speedy recovery.

"As a precaution, also in accordance with the public health guidelines, 10 other members of staff who may have come into close contact with the affected employees have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days. Close contact means being within two metres of a person who tested positive for the virus for 15 minutes or more or within one metre for one minute or more."

He said the pub chain has introduced numerous social distancing a hygiene measures.

"These include reduced capacity levels, the spacing out of tables, the installation of a number of floor screens between tables and the addition of till-surround screens to the bar. Staff are conducting regular surface cleaning and numerous hand sanitisers have been installed in each pub.

"While it is not possible to create an entirely risk-free environment, adherence to social distancing guidelines and rigorous implementation of hygiene standards minimises the risk."

This article was originally published on September 10