Food & Drink

Wetherspoons boss insists pubs are safe despite 24 staff testing positive for coronavirus

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The boss of Wetherspoons has said his pubs are safe, after 24 staff have tested positive for coronavirus since reopening.

Spoons insist that visiting its establishments is as safe as it can possibly be, as the company responded to reports pubs were putting people at risk through overcrowding, saying these accusations were ‘irresponsible and untrue’.

Spoons said in a statement: “Wetherspoon has made strenuous efforts to adhere to Government regulations and guidance.”

Wetherspoon

844 Spoons sites are now open and serving customers again  in England, Wales and Scotland, with a few venues still closed at airports and stations, for example.

On top of that, the chain has even opened two new venues, in Crossgates, Leeds, and in Kingswinford in the West Midlands.

Wetherspoons owner, Tim Martin, said there wasn’t a great risk to visiting the pub, according to the Mirror.

Wetherspoon

Mr Martin said: “Wetherspoon had 5 positive tests for Covid-19 among its 43,000 staff before lockdown and has had 24 positive tests since pubs reopened on 4 July – since reopening, the amount of testing has substantially increased.

“Other environments seem to have higher levels of infection.

“Risk cannot be eliminated completely in pubs, but sensible social distancing and hygiene policies, combined with continued assistance and cooperation from the authorities, should minimise it”.

Wetherspoon

In a statement Wetherpoons added: “Each pub has a specific Covid-19 risk assessment and an occupancy level based on the number of seats, so that all customers can be seated.

“Tables have been spaced out to comply with social distancing requirements at all pubs.

“The company has also installed floor screens between the tables and ‘till surround’ screens at the bar.”

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