An urgent appeal has gone out to find around 70 pub goers who attended a Smethwick pub barbecue after an outbreak of coronavirus.
Sandwell Council and Public Health England have issued an urgent appeal for customers to self-isolate after The Soho Foundry Tavern in Smethwick reported cases of coronavirus.
The pub, in Foundry Lane, closed voluntarily on Thursday, 6 August.
On the previous Sunday, 2 August, around 70 people attended a barbecue at the pub.
Three people who were there, including staff, have since tested positive.
Now public health chiefs are advising those people who were at the BBQ that they may have been exposed to the virus.
Anyone who was there should self-isolate until next Sunday, 16 August.
If they experience symptoms, such as a continuous cough, fever or change in taste or smell, they should book a test straight away.
This can be done by calling 119 or by visiting the nhs website
Sandwell’s Deputy Council Leader Councillor Maria Crompton said: “We urgently need to alert anyone who attended the event last weekend to self-isolate until Sunday 16 August. If they have any symptoms they should book a test.”
“Everyone needs to stay incredibly vigilant – the virus is still out there and the situation remains extremely serious – as this potential outbreak shows.”
Councillor Crompton said employers needed to play their part and be responsible too.
She said: “I would like to ask employers to be supportive too – if someone needs to self-isolate for the required time to comply with the safety guidance, please do all you can to accommodate that.
“Government guidance is available for employers here. ”
The council also praised the landlady’s action in response to the situation.
Director of Public Health Dr Lisa McNally said: “They did exactly what we would want business owners to do in this situation.
“They voluntarily took the decision to close and contacted us for advice. I would urge all businesses to do the same.
“Pubs need to be very careful at this time to gather contact details of customers and ensure social distancing at all times.”
Sandwell has been experiencing a flurry of spikes over the past three weeks, linked to workplaces and household outbreaks.
Only yesterday the council advised it was relaxing its coronavirus advice to residents after a 30 per cent fall in new cases over the last seven days.
The authority said that those shielding from Covid-19 across the borough don’t need to anymore after the number of new cases fell by a third.
But health chiefs are continuing to ask residents to not have visitors to their home – except for those in their “bubble”.
Advice on care home visits in Sandwell remains that they should remain closed to visits except for window visits and special arrangements for end of life visits.
More information on the coronavirus pandemic in Sandwell is on the council website here.
Sandwell Council will continue to offer help to anyone who still needs support at this time, visit the emergency help webpage or call 0121 569 2266
