A GP surgery in Gloucester is being investigated after staff members were pictured at a garden party failing to social distance.
The shocking image appears to show 16 people at the outdoor event standing close to each other with some with their arms around each other.
A concerned member of the public sent the picture, taken on July 25, to Gloucestershire Live and now bosses at Pavillion Family Doctors said a full investigation is being carried out, the news outlet reports.
Workers pictured in the photo have also been banned from having direct contact with patients and will be tested for coronavirus.
Current rules drawn up by the Government state people should "not hold or attend celebrations (such as parties) where it is difficult to maintain social distancing and avoid close social interaction.
Government guidance also states only six people from different households can socialise outdoor in a group while any with more than 30 people are "against the law".
The resident who sent Gloucestershire Live screenshots of the images said: "The risks this team have put themselves plus thousands of others - patients, family members, friends and other colleagues - it is unbelievable and an absolute disgrace.
"They clearly have no thought for others or understand the seriousness of their actions or the pandemic we are all currently going through at the moment."
A statement from Pavilion Family Doctors said: “All the partners at the Practice are very disappointed to learn of this incident. We expect the highest standards from all members of the team and for them to respect and champion public health measures relating to Covid-19 at all times.
“We are carrying out a thorough investigation into the actions of our support staff who attended this private outdoor event. As precautionary measures, the individuals concerned will have no direct contact with patients for the time being while a full risk assessment takes place and staff testing is also arranged.
“We would like to assure our patients that we take their health and well being extremely seriously and we have stringent infection control, PPE and social distancing measures in place within the Practice itself to safeguard people who need to attend the surgery.”
A spokesman for NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) added: “Following conversations with the senior partners, we are aware that the Practice is carrying out a full investigation and related risk assessment to ensure that patient safety is the overriding priority. Testing for staff members is also being arranged urgently.
“The CCG has systems in place to communicate the very latest public health advice and guidance to member Practices and following our discussions with Pavilion Family Doctors, we have been assured that the Practice has been following strict infection control practices within the surgery to keep people safe and minimise any spread of COVID-19.”
