Council encourages residents and business to keep following COVID-19 guidelines following recent cases

Following the closure of three local bars as a result of a customer in each testing positive for COVID-19, Hastings Borough Council is urging businesses and residents to keep following guidelines.

Cllr Kim Forward, leader of the council, said,

"We know local businesses are working hard to ensure their premises are safe by meeting the Government guidance and taking contact details from customers for the NHS test and trace scheme. 

"The recent good practice of the Dragon Bar, the Bat and Bee and the Owl and Pussycat, after becoming aware that a customer had tested positive for COVID-19, is really positive. They acted quickly and followed public health guidance to ensure the safety of their staff and customers.

"These incidents serve as a reminder that the virus is still a real threat and emphasises the need for supporting the test and trace scheme.

"There is information on NHS and government websites about the test and trace schemes, both for business owners and customers. We also have guidance on our website about how to keep businesses COVID-secure, and also for residents and visitors as to what to expect when out and about in our town. 

"We are here to help so please contact our environmental health team if you need assistance with understanding any of the safety guidance or how to put measures in place in your business; you may feel the need for this support as the Government begin to announce more changes to the guidance regarding social gatherings.

"If you are a customer, please make sure to leave your contact details when asked to, it only takes a moment and could save lives. If you have any concerns about the lack of safety measures in a business, please contact our environmental health team by emailing environmentalhealth@hastings.gov.uk"

Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health at East Sussex County Council, said,

"We are seeing a slight rise in COVID-19 cases across East Sussex as a result of people going back to work and school, but this was completely expected. We are not yet seeing an excessive increase of cases in East Sussex; but we may begin to if people don't maintain social distancing and hand hygiene, don't wear face coverings; if they don't isolate when they have symptoms and if they start attending events that have not been approved.

"Pubs will always be a place where we may see positive cases occurring, as they are social mixing environments. Closing to clean and to reach out to the customers who may have been in contact with a positive case is very sensible and good practice, which we are glad to see has been exercised by these premises in Hastings.

"I strongly encourage everyone, whether a customer or a business owner, to follow the necessary Government guidance to help prevent the spread of this virus."