A pub in Roby is being investigated by environmental health officers after it was linked to two coronavirus cases.
Concerns were raised about the Stanley Arms in Roby Road after two members of staff tested positive for Covid-19.
The pub remains open, but Knowsley Council confirmed officers from its environmental health department were looking into the cases.
A spokesperson for the council said: “We understand there have been two positive cases linked to The Stanley Arms in Roby however officers from environmental health are continuing to investigate and will take appropriate action following our investigation.”
A spokesperson for the pub confirmed two members of staff were self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, adding that the pub was “taking this very seriously” and “closely monitoring the situation with the team”.
The pub’s spokesperson added: “We’d like to assure our guests we’ve been working diligently at all times and are taking great care to make sure that their safety and wellbeing, and that of our colleagues, remains at the very forefront of all of our Covid-secure operations.
“Since reopening we’ve successfully introduced new robust safety protocols at the pub, which are in line with the government guidance, including frequent cleaning of all surfaces and new table layouts to ensure guests can social distance within the pub.
“Our team have undertaken extensive training in these protocols to ensure the highest safety and hygiene standards are maintained at all times. These new measures are displayed in full on our website and throughout the pub.
Keep up to date with coronavirus cases in your area by adding your postcode below
“Since reopening we have been fully supporting the Government’s track and trace efforts and we’ve successfully introduced an effective track and trace policy.
“We are taking these measures very seriously and our policy outlines that when visiting the pub it is compulsory that guests complete our digital track and trace survey or scan the NHS Covid-19 app.”
The number of coronavirus cases in the borough has soared over the past month, with 867 new cases reported in the week up to October 4 - more than 100 cases per day.
Knowsley’s infection rate is now one of the highest in the country and stands at 575 cases per 100,000 residents.
Several businesses in the borough have seen outbreaks over the past month and the council has recently undertaken enforcement action to ensure pubs and bars are complying with coronavirus regulations.
Recent inspections by local police officers have found the majority of businesses obeying the rules, but new Huyton bar Common was fined £1,000 at the end of September for staying open after 10pm.
The council spokesperson added: “Knowsley, and the rest of the city region, are continuing to fight the covid pandemic and we urge residents to report any businesses they don’t believe are covid-secure to our environmental health team by emailing Environmental.Health@knowsley.gov.uk.”
