One of York’s top restaurants is closed for a week – after several staff were forced to self-isolate.
The Walmgate Ale House and its Chopping Block restaurant shut on Friday after five workers were told to self-isolate after coming into contact with someone with Covid-19.
A sixth member of staff has developed coronavirus, said restaurant owner Michael Hjort.
Related
It means the restaurant has lost more than 160 bookings, and the bar has lost all its walk-in trade.
A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page said: “It’s essential to follow all Covid-19 guidelines to ensure our hard-working staff and our loyal customers stay safe. This is our number one priority.
“We are very sorry to those who were booked in with us, as we know some of you were making trips to come see us.
“We believe we have contacted everyone who made a booking (please check your emails & voicemail!), but if you haven’t received anything please let us know.
“We hope you all stay safe and our doors will be open again as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Michael, who also runs the York Food and Drink Festival, said the venue would stay closed until Friday. But he should be able to get enough staff together to reopen on Saturday.
He told YorkMix the rules were causing big problems for people in York’s hospitality sector, as so many younger people were having to self isolate.
And there was no funding to compensate for hard-hit restaurants and bars who were forced to close.
The self-isolation rules are “proving massively disruptive for hospitality businesses across the UK” according to trade body UK Hospitality.