Coronavirus: What the latest announcements mean for Worthing as people told to avoid offices, pubs and theatres

There are currently five confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in West Sussex, according to the latest figures from Public Health England.

Addressing the public today, Boris Johnson announced a series of new measures including:

– Everyone should avoid gatherings and crowded places, such as pubs, clubs and theatres

– Everyone should work from home if they can

– All ‘unnecessary’ visits to friends and relatives in care homes should cease

People over the age of 70, pregnant women, and adults who would normally be advised to have the flu vaccine (such as those with chronic diseases) should be particularly mindful of the advice.

All West Sussex libraries have also been closed.

But how will the new measures affect us locally in Worthing?

Diane Guest is chairman of Worthing’s Late Night Partnership and is landlady of the Broadwater pub, part of the chain Greene King, in Broadwater Street West.

She said the new guidance had left her ‘speechless’.

“My heart bleeds for the independent traders, who don’t have that national backing behind them,” she said.

“Talking to people in the pub, I don’t know what to say to customers who are self-employed. Some are bordering on losing their businesses already.

“It’s horrible.”

Diane said the Broadwater would be staying open until instructed by Greene King to close.

While she encouraged the public to be sensible in their hygiene precautions, she said part of her felt the regulations and growing fear could have the opposite effect.

This Friday, she said, had been one of their best ever and the week had also started strongly.

“We pubs are institutions, we are part of people’s lives,” she said.

“People can’t not be part of it. As much as we need them, they need us. If the Government shut us down, we will have a lot of support from the community. Not to stick their fingers up to the virus or the rules, but because they are British and that’s what we do.”

Do you run a local business? How will the latest announcements affect you? Get in touch at [email protected]