Visitors to two Penrith pubs at specific times told to get Covid test

Regardless of whether someone has developed symptoms or not, visitors to the Board & Elbow or the Castlegate Arms in Penrith at specific times on Friday July 17 and Sunday July 19 are being asked to get a Covid-19 test.

Anyone who paid a visit to The Board & Elbow on Friday July 17 between 3.30pm and 6.30pm, or on Sunday July 19 between 12pm and 2pm, is being asked to take a test.

And anyone who visited the Castlegate Arms on Friday July 17 between 6.45pm and closing time is also being asked to arrange for a Covid-19 test.

Testing is available in Carlisle at Brunton Park today and tomorrow from 10am until 3pm, and at Penrith Rugby Club seven days a week.

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s director of public health, stressed that the situation in no way suggests failings on the part of the establishments in question to follow the recommended practices on encouraging social distancing and other measures.

“This situation is no reflection on the pubs listed and provided they follow good hygiene practices the risk of transmission after the times these people visited is low,” he said.

“Due to technical issues with digital apps where customers were unable to record their visits, and due to issues with the validity of contact details that customers have left with the pubs, we have taken the robust approach of making this public announcement.”

Mr Cox added that it is important for customers visiting pubs or other venues to provide correct contact details and to follow the guidelines.

“It is vital that customers properly use the systems put in place by pubs and other establishments to enable local contact tracing and to ultimately keep people safe,” he said.

“This virus spreads quickly and easily and some, particularly young people, don’t always have symptoms.

“Getting a lot of people tested quickly will give us really good information about whether we have the situation under control.”