Reassurance After Chef Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Mercado Lounge, Market Harborough

There is reassurance from Leicestershire’s Director of Public Health after a chef tested positive for Coronavirus at the Mercado Lounge cafe bar in Market Harborough.

Bosses at the Abbey Street venue are following guidance from Public Health officials and say the male chef, together with some other kitchen staff, are self-isolating.

All other staff are being tested for Covid-19 as a precaution.

Mike Sandys, Director of Public Health for Leicestershire spoke to Hfm:

A statement from the Mercado Lounge says: “Unfortunately we have decided to close Mercado Lounge temporarily because one of our chefs has tested positive for Coronavirus. Thankfully he is not unwell and as he works in the kitchen he has not been in contact with customers.

“We have been advised by Public Health England that we should not contact customers who have left Test and Trace details ourselves.

“Public Health England and Test and Trace teams are the experts in this and we have been asked to play our part by collecting customer data so they can provide advice to our customers and the general public, as appropriate.

“A few members of our kitchen team have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace and asked to self-isolate because they were in close contact with the team member who tested positive, but nobody from our Front of House team has been contacted and they have not requested our Test and Trace records.

“If you don’t hear anything from them there is no reason for concern and you don’t have to do anything.”