A BRIDPORT restaurant has been forced to close its doors for the week after one of its employees tested positive for Covid-19.

The Ivy House Kitchen, located on the Groves Nurseries site, has revealed one of its team has contracted coronavirus.

As a result of this, the restaurant will remain closed until the advised period of isolation is over - expected to be around Tuesday, June 22.

The Ivy House Kitchen team operates strictly in its own bubble and Groves Nurseries garden centre staff work separately and will be tested as a precautionary measure.

A spokesman for the Ivy House Kitchen said: "Whilst we do adhere to all social distancing guidelines, the practicalities of operating in a catering environment mean that the team do regularly come into contact with each other. Following government guidelines and for the safety of everyone, all colleagues who have been in contact with this person for the two days before symptoms developed are now self isolating.

"The affected team member did everything correctly and called in sick as soon as symptoms became apparent so has not been in work whilst symptomatic.

"Of course we will also be cooperating fully with NHS Test and Trace who will be contacting anyone that they feel necessary to contact.

They added: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and understanding during this difficult time and we look forward to getting back up and running again soon.

Over the period of closure the Ivy House Kitchen will be thoroughly deep cleaned to ensure the restaurant is safe to reopen.

The staff have all taken lateral flow tests, all of which have come back negative.