A POPULAR football pub has been forced to close its doors ahead of England's game against Germany at Euro 2020 due to a Covid-19 outbreak.

Ye Olde King and Queen in Marlborough Place, Brighton, had been decorated with flags and inflatable footballs for the international tournament.

But a sign on the door confirmed the pub would remain closed on what is likely to be one of the busiest and most profitable nights of the year.

Members of staff have tested positive for coronavirus as rates in the city continue to rise amid the spread of the Delta variant first seen in India.

A notice written by general manager Mark Such said: “We are sorry to announce that due to Covid-19 we have had some team members test positive and with a heavy heart we have decided to shut our venue to stay in line with government guidelines.

“We apologise for any inconvenience and we will update our social media is due course to notify you when we can reopen safely.”

The Argus: A notice posted at the Ye Olde King and Queen revealing the Covid outbreak A notice posted at the Ye Olde King and Queen revealing the Covid outbreak

Earlier this month, The Argus was told how the pub had reduced capacity from 500 to 150 in line with government Covid guidelines.

The pub has been operating a "first come, first served" system because of punters failing to show up to honour their bookings.

Football fans were seen arriving at the pub earlier today ahead of England's match at Wembley, which kicks off at 5pm.

However, they left disappointed when they found the pub unexpectedly shut due the coronavirus outbreak.

The Argus: Ye Olde King and Queen decorated for Euro 2020Ye Olde King and Queen decorated for Euro 2020

While The Font on Union St has also been temporarily closed while emergency repairs were carried out.

A sign was left on the door stating: “Due to emergency repairs we will remain closed for a short time today.

“Sorry for any inconvenience.”

Cases in the city are now among the highest in the South East, as the number of people infected went up by more than 50 per cent in a week.

In the seven days up to June 17, there were 334 confirmed new Covid-19 cases in Brighton and Hove - a 54 per cent increase on the previous week.

It is equivalent to a weekly rate of 114.8 per 100,000 residents - higher than the South East rate of 57.5 per 100,000 and the England rate of 98.4 per 100,000.

While Public Health England figures show 551 cases of the Delta variant – first identified in India – had been recorded in the city by June 23.

However, latest NHS data shows that nearly half of people in Brighton and Hove have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The race is on between the Covid-19 vaccine and a third wave of the virus, advisers to the Government have said.