Concern as Gosport pub closes just 48 hours after England's venues reopened in lockdown

Posting on social media, the team at The Village Home Pub in Village Road, Alverstoke, said it has been forced to shut its doors once more.

The news has caused concern among people in Gosport, with another publican fearing pubs being told to close if there is a ‘local spike’.

Under government guidance for reopening, punters have to register their details in the event of an outbreak so NHS Test and Trace can speak with them if needed.

On Monday afternoon a post on the venue’s Facebook page said: ‘We have had a case of coronavirus in the pub which means that some of us are in isolation.

‘The pub is now shut but all being well will open again on Saturday.’

Public Health England has confirmed to The News that customers do not need to self-isolate unless instructed to do so by the NHS or if they start to display coronavirus symptoms.

Those who have been in ‘close contact’ with the infected case will be called upon to stay at home for 14 days.

Symptoms include a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a change to sense of smell or taste.

Fellow landlord Rob Hylands, who owns The Foresters Arms in Anns Hill Road, Gosport, said the consequences for other pubs could be dramatic if the virus spikes once again.

He said: ‘The worrying thing is if we get a local spike it could close all the pubs in the area.

‘We could all suffer through no fault of our own and that is the biggest concern right now.

‘The guidance says it can all be sorted through NHS Test and Trace – everyone just needs to be extra careful.

‘At our pub we are taking things incredibly slow, the last thing you want to do at this time is rush into anything.’

Queen Alexandra Hospital has not recorded any deaths due to coronavirus since June 5.

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Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage said businesses must secure themselves against Covid-19.

Ms Dinenage said: ‘Anyone who is contacted by NHS Test and Trace should immediately self-isolate.

‘It is so important that social distancing is implemented in every local business and that Covid-19 guidelines are followed.

‘There is a fine balance between the precautions needed to protect people’s health and the importance of getting our economy up and running again to protect their livelihoods.

‘Pubs and restaurants were given practical, clear steps to reopen last weekend – following guidelines and making sure staff and customers are kept as safe as possible.’

The Village Home Pub has been contacted by The News.

More than 300 people have commented on the venue’s Facebook post.

Experienced landlord Steve Hudson said: ‘Can you please let people know if the person was working in the pub.

'As an industry we need to handle this properly.’