Children's amusement area in Rawmarsh pub closed for deep clean over coronavirus case

A man in a white protective suit was pictured in the Whacky Warehouse earlier cleaning the area. Photo credit: Deacon Elsom.

A CHILDREN'S amusement area housed inside a Rawmarsh pub has been closed for a deep clean today (Friday) after someone who visited last weekend had contracted coronavirus.

Pub retailer, Greene King, which owns The Marquis on Stubbin Road, Rawmarsh, learned that a customer who had visited the pub's Wacky Warehouse last weekend, tested positive for the coronavirus earlier in the week.

The person involved is the same case as confirmed yesterday (Thursday) when Monkwood Primary School's headteacher Kay Sherburn sent a letter to parents saying a parent of a child at the school had tested postiive for the virus.

A spokesman for Greene King, said the company had spoken with Public Health England, who had confirmed there was no risk to anyone of catching coronavirus from visiting the Marquis - which is around one mile away from Monkwood - or its Wacky Warehouse.

PHE had also advised the pub did nor need to close, he said, but he added: "After listening to concerns from the community, we have decided to go over and above the current guidance and have arranged for a deep clean of the Wacky Warehouse today (Friday), to offer further reassurance to our customers that there is no risk."

Monkwood Primary School has also remained open.

Ms Sherburn said in her letter: "We are aware that a parent of a child tested positive for the coronavirus and any families who have been in contact with the family have been notified and appropriate action has been taken.

"This person did the right thing in phoning NHS 111 and was tested positive for the virus as a result of being a contact of a confirmed case elsewhere.

"The rest of the family of the case have already been tested and at this stage the results are negative. As a precautionary measure the family, following advice, are going to stay home (self-isolate) for the next 14 days.

"This is understandably a very worrying time, in particular, for the parents/students who have had contact with the family, but Public Helath England has confirmed that they are low risk."

Teresa Roche, director of public health at Rotherham Council, said there were robust infection control arrangements in place and strong partnership arrangements across the health care system.

"We will continue to work closely with Public Health England who is leading on the response, as well as the NHS and all our health partners to prevent further spread of the virus," she added.