‘ Dozens’ of workers at pub in quarantine
Worker says lives ‘ at risk’ if rules on pubs don’t toughen
APUB worker has warned l ives are at r i s k i f coronavirus restrictions on pubs aren’t made tighter amid claims dozens of staff from one city centre boozer are in quarantine.
The whistleblower spoke out as the Scottish Government’s new rules saw the shutters come down on bars across Glasgow this weekend.
As many hospitality workers took to George Square in protest of the new restrictions, our source claims dozens of staff at The Counting House nearby were in isolation.
Rotas seen by the Glasgow Times appear to show 17 staff members – including a mix of senior management and bar workers – were on an “authorised absence” from October 5 to 11.
This, our source claims, is the marker used by bosses for those in quarantine.
The pub chain confirmed three workers had received a positive test result between October 2 and 4, with a further 38 self- isolating as a precaution due to potentially being in close contact with the individuals.
There is no evidence to determine where they were infected with the virus.
The St Vincent Place pub worker warned pubs are a hotbed for the virus spreading throughout the city and has urged the Scottish Government to tighten restrictions when bars are scheduled to reopen later this month.
Speaking at the national briefing yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We intend, as we come out of those restrictions, to put in place the strategic framework, which has tiers of intervention that will allow us to respond flexibly depending on the spread of the virus either nationally or in different parts of the country.”
She added: “We’ve sought to act quickly to longer lasting being future.”
A spokesman for Wetherspoons, said: “In the event that a member of staff tests positive for Covid- 19, Wetherspoon adheres to government and public health guidance by requiring any employee who may have come into close contact with the person who tested positive to isolate for 14 days, irrespective of whether they are showing symptoms or not.
“The company operates a robust Test and Protect system in all its pubs.
“Since reopening in August, Wetherspoon has operated comprehensive social distancing and hygiene practices in all its pubs, including the Counting House, Glasgow.
“These include; reduced capacity levels, the spacing out of tables, the installation of a number of floor screens between tables and the addition of till- surround screens to the bar.
“Staff are conducting regular surface cleaning and numerous hand sanitisers have been installed in each pub.
“While it is not possible to create an entirely risk- free environment, adherence to social distancing guidelines and rigorous implementation of hygiene standards minimises the risk.
“Finally, we do not agree that pubs are one of the main reasons why Covid- 19 cases in the UK are rising.” try to prevent or tighter restrictions necessary in