Cornwall coronavirus cases in Falmouth confirmed: pubs spoken to

The council said it was carrying out an investigation that included asking businesses, including pubs, to take certain measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 - although many that it lists are steps that all venues should already be adhering to.

The council said in a statement to the Packet: "Cornwall Council and Public Health England South West are aware of a small number of cases in the Falmouth area.

"At this time, we cannot confirm that the cases are linked to a common venue."

The council has since confirmed to the Packet that the number of confirmed cases was "in the five and under area."

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Anyone identified as a close contact of a positive case will be contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service.

The council said that contacts of a confirmed case should only get tested if they go on to develop symptoms, but should isolate for the required 14 days.

In addition, even if a person tests negative, they must still self-isolate for the full two weeks.

Dr Rachel Wrigglesworth, Cornwall Council's director of public health, said: “As part of ongoing investigations Cornwall Council are working with several night-time establishments, Public Health England and Devon and Cornwall Police to provide public health advice and check appropriate measures are being adhered to, to help stop the spread of the virus.

"When people go to pubs now, they will be asked to provide contact details to enable us to get in touch with anyone we may need to advise on isolating or getting tested.

“Businesses, including pubs, have been asked to take certain measures to help reduce the spread of Covid-19, including ensuring staff can maintain social distancing wherever possible and can regularly wash their hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces."

Falmouth Town Team, which includes Falmouth BID and the town council, have been working hard to keep both visitors and residents to the town safe over the last few months, introducing various measures that have included hand sanitiser stations, distancing markers on the floor and even street entertainers reminding people to stay two metres apart during the peak tourist season.