The owner of an Auckland pub says his staff have tested negative after the establishment was visited by a person who later tested positive for COVID-19.
Kevin McVicar, owner of The Malt in Greenhithe, posted on Facebook on Friday saying although staff need to be tested again, all close contacts have returned negative tests.
He says he is grateful for the support his pub has received following the news and hopes to see his patrons again soon.
He added he has also tested negative.
The Malt was asked by the Ministry of Health to close for 14 days after the person visited on Friday 16 October. They later tested positive for COVID-19.
The person spent several hours at the pub. All patrons and staff were asked to self isolate and get tested for the virus.
McVicar said it's not good news after a tough year, with business just starting to pick back up again after the last lockdown.
He said he's owned the venue for five years and never imagined anything like this happening.
"It's very frustrating," he told Newshub. "There's nothing we can do about it though, is there?"
He says the pub will reopen with a "bang" on November 5.
