A PUB closed its doors after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19.

The Chimney House in Upper Hamilton Road, Brighton says it is working with Track and Trace and NHS England to ensure the venue can reopen again safely.

It is the latest bar in the city to shut temporarily amid rising coronavirus cases in the city.

In a statement on social media, The Chimney House said: “Unfortunately, we have had to close due to a positive test and staff isolation.

“We are in contact with track and trace and NHS England and taking all the necessary steps to ensure a safe reopening as soon as we can.

“We will be in contact with all bookings in due course and will update you when we confirm an opening date.”

The Station in Goldstone Villas, Hove was also forced to close earlier this week after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus and others were told to self-isolate.

The Department of Health and Social Care announced The NHS Covid-19 app will updated so fewer contacts will be instructed to isolate.

It comes after an increase in people being pinged since lockdown restrictions ended.

Almost 700,000 alerts were sent by the app to users in England and Wales for the week to July 21, a record since it was launched, which has caused staffing issues across multiple industries

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) welcomed the change, saying its research found up to 1,000 pubs have been forced to close temporarily due to large numbers of staff being pinged.

Emma McClarkin, the association’s chief executive, said: “On average, each pub forced to temporarily close due to staff being pinged costs £9,500 in lost trade per week and our larger venues much, much more at a critical time in their recovery.

“On top of changes to the NHS app, more investment is needed for our sector if it is to recover and play a leading role in building back better.

“The Government must do this by reforming VAT, beer duty and business rates by which pubs and other hospitality businesses are greatly overtaxed.”

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