A MANAGER at a JD Wetherspoon pub in Brighton has tested positive for coronavirus.

The member of staff from the West Quay site at Brighton Marina is currently self-isolating after it was confirmed they had contracted the illness yesterday.

Three other staff members at the venue have also been asked to self-isolate as it is believed they may have come into close contact with the affected employee.

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The Argus contacted JD Wetherspoon for comment after receiving information about the coronavirus case at the Brighton Marina site.

A spokesman for the pub chain said: "A member of the management team at the West Quay in Brighton tested positive for Covid-19 on October 5.

"In accordance with public health guidelines, the employee has been required to self-isolate for the necessary ten-day period. 

"We wish the employee a full and speedy recovery.

"As a precaution, in accordance with public health guidelines, three other members of staff who may have come into close contact with the affected employee have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

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"Close contact means being within two metres of a person who tested positive for the virus for 15 minutes or more or within one metre for one minute or more.

The Wetherspoon spokesman said that he did not know if customers who had visited the pub had been asked to isolate.

He said: "We are not aware of  any customers having been required  to self-isolate, but such a request will have been made directly to them by NHS Test and Trace and not shared with Wetherspoon."

The spokesman said all Wetherspoon sites have "operated comprehensive social distancing and hygiene practices" since pubs were allowed to reopen in July.

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These include reduced capacities at all of its venues, the spacing out of tables and the introduction of plastic screens around bars and some tables, as well as regular surface cleaning and hand sanitisers being placed around each pub.

The Wetherspoon spokesman said: "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."