A PUB closed after a customer was suspected to have contracted coronavirus.

Bosses at The Jolly Boatman in Newhaven shut the site and called in a cleaning company to disinfect it on Wednesday after learning of the possible Covid case.

All staff were tested for the virus following the discovery.

A statement from the Jolly Boatman team read: “We wanted to put across that the protection of our customers is the main concern and we take Covid-19 seriously. 

“Our team and the social bubble have all been tested and the results are negative which is due to the measures we put in place. 

The Argus:

“There was a suspected case. However, this is yet to be confirmed. 

“It was such a scary time, but we dealt with it in a controlled and professional manner. 

“We weren’t advised to shut but we took it upon ourselves. Within 18 hours we had a professional deep clean team in and shut down the pub straight away. 

“We called everyone who was in contact with that customer and we advised them to get tested.”

On social media, the pub shared a video of the venue being cleaned by a person in a hazmat suit spraying disinfectant over all surfaces.

It also shared an image of a “certificate of disinfection” issued by disinfection company Amici Santize.

The Argus:

After making the decision to close the pub for cleaning, pub staff said there was “speculation” surrounding the suspected coronavirus case.

A statement read: “We were open about the situation and didn’t hide anything. 

“No one is to blame here – it’s happened, we’ve dealt with it, and everyone is safe. 

“The huge support we received from people in the community was overwhelming. 

“We just want to say thank you so much to all the people that sent messages, shared the post and communicated their concerns to us. 

“The Jolly Boatman is a family pub and will always keep their customers safe.

The Argus:

“We look forward to getting back to business and putting a smile on people’s faces.”

The pub is also looking forward to reopening its “Jolly Kiosk” on Monday to “support the local community further”. 

This is a small hatch on the side of the pub from which it operates a shop, selling essential items such as bread and milk to people in the area.