PUB bosses are investigating after a barmaid claimed she was told to work despite having Covid symptoms.

Rachael Baylis claims that management at The Walrus, in Ship Street, said she would have to work her shift as she did not have a positive lateral flow test, despite having a fever and a cough.

It comes as the new Omicron variant rips through the country - with current government advice saying that anyone with symptoms of coronavirus should self-isolate, take a PCR test and await the results.

The 22-year-old, who has worked at the Brighton pub for roughly three months, has subsequently tested positive for Covid.

Rachael, from Elm Grove, said: "Another staff member tested positive and I decided I wouldn't go into work as I felt horrendous. I had a horrible fever and cough, and I told the manager 'I've booked a PCR test, I've got two out of three Covid symptoms and I don't feel comfortable coming into work'.

"He said, 'This isn't acceptable - you have to take a lateral flow, and if that's positive you self-isolate and book a PCR'.

"However, lateral flows can be really inaccurate if you're symptomatic."

The Argus: Rachael Baylis spoke out about her experience at The Walrus pubRachael Baylis spoke out about her experience at The Walrus pub

After working Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Rachael said she started feeling sick on Tuesday.

Rachael said that she asked to go home during her Tuesday shift as she was feeling extremely unwell and was "nearly passing out".

However, she claims that the manager would only let her go if she had someone to cover her shift.

"I was making stupid errors I would never normally make, I was shaking and spilling drinks - I was clearly very ill," she said.

Rachael then emailed on Wednesday saying she would try and find someone to cover her shift for that night and offering her notice if they continued to insist she work.

However, she received a reply refusing her resignation and saying they planned on terminating her probation period after she showed a "lack of respect for management requests and procedures".

The Argus contacted The Walrus, which is part of the City Pub Group.

The Argus: The company that owns The Walrus is investigating the claimsThe company that owns The Walrus is investigating the claims

A spokesman for the chain said: "The City Pub Group is aware of allegations that the company’s well-established Covid-19 safety protocols were not followed at our Brighton pub The Walrus, in relation to isolation arrangements for one of our team members.

"As a company we place paramount importance on the health and welfare of our colleagues and customers, particularly during the ongoing pandemic challenges. This takes precedence over any other considerations.

"We are now urgently investigating all aspects of this situation to understand precisely what has happened and what needs to be done in response.

"We do not wish to make any further comments on next steps until the facts of the case have been established clearly."

The incident comes after the UK reported a record 88,375 daily Covid cases yesterday.

Chief medical officer Chris Whitty has suggested people "prioritise" certain activities in the run up to Christmas, with the Prime Minister also urging people to exercise "caution" when attending events.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said their environmental health team "have been in contact with The Walrus to make sure all procedures are being followed".

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