A Gateshead pub has been forced to close for the second time in a month due to a staffing crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Woodmans Arms shut its doors on Thursday with the award-winning restaurant unable to honour bookings due to crippling staffing levels.
Owner David Whitehead confirmed there had been an outbreak of Covid cases but also said numerous members of staff have also been told to self-isolate after being contacted through the NHS Test and Trace app.
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Around 28 employees - 70% of the Whickham venue's workforce - are currently isolating at home.
A deep clean will take place at the premises, which will be closed for seven days before reopening again to customers on July 15.
It is the second time the pub has closed this month following a two-day shutdown on July 1 and 2 following an outbreak of Covid cases.
David told ChronicleLive: "We've had an abundance of younger members of staff who have been told to self-isolate by the test and trace app, which I don't think is fit for purpose.
"This has significantly reduced our team numbers which we feel will negatively impact upon our levels of service and standards we pride ourselves on.
"We're having to adapt our business plan on a daily basis with staffing issues and changing rules. It's a very difficult industry to be in at the moment.
"I needed to close to protect my staff and our customers and we will reopen again next week.
"All customers who have made a reservation that now needs to be cancelled will be contacted by ourselves."
It comes at a time when Gateshead had one of the biggest week-on-week rises of Covid cases in the entire country.
The authority area has seen its coronavirus infection rate soar with 1,145 cases recorded in the seven days to July 3, a rate of 715.2 cases per 100,000 people - climbing from 699 cases the week before (345.9 per 100,000).
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