A THURROCK pub is to close for 72 hours and customers who visited it yesterday may have to go into self- isolation after it was confirmed today that a visitor has Covid-19.

The Crown and Anchor on Aveley High Street is to undergo a deep clean after it was visited yesterday (Sunday, 12 July) by a man who became ill today and has since been confirmed as having the virus.

A statement from the pub this evening says: "We regret to inform you that we have shut down due to a patron on Sunday being taken to hospital with suspected Covid-19.

"Necessary measures took place the moment we heard the news from a regular customer. Our doors were shut, our staff were informed and all necessary calls were made to obtain advice as what to next.

"We acted quickly without evidence as we were not willing to take any risks. And we can now confirm he has been tested positive and the council have been in touch with our area manager at Heineken & Star Bars to shut down for 72 hours and undergo a deep clean. We are very sad to share this news and we are personally contacting all patrons that were here yesterday and quite possibly they will be contacted by some form of authority also.

"Every customer we have had since opening has been so understanding and helpful with trying to maintain distance and not going to the bar... the girls here have done us proud with their cleaning.

"Our efforts and changes have not gone unnoticed and we are constantly complimented for our organisation and cleanliness. This is a very unfortunate situation that is completely out of our control.

"We will be open again on Wednesday (15 July) at 3pm and we just want our regulars to know we have, are and will this very seriously.

"If any customers are worried, do not hesitate to message the Crown. We are all unsure of what is right and wrong in this pandemic. All we can do is follow the guidelines and maintain a high and thorough standard of cleaning throughout the day and follow parts of the guidelines like name-taking and no bar orders to try and avoid the cross contamination.

"Please keep safe and alert. We kindly ask if you knowingly have symptoms, to not come into the pub."