An emergency testing centre has been set up near to a pub after ten drinkers caught coronavirus.

The outbreak is believed to have spread after around 200 people crammed ‘like sardines’ into the beer garden of the Crown and Anchor pub in Stone, Staffordshire.

All those who visited the pub between July 16 and 18 are being urged to get themselves tested ‘as soon as possible’.

The man who raised the alarm about the lack of social distancing in the garden has welcomed the measures. Ayrron Robinson, 31, lives opposite and posted a video showing the crowds which went viral.

He told the Stoke Sentinel newspaper: ‘It’s sensible that the council is acting and taking it seriously but it’s a shame that it’s gone this far.

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‘I was very concerned by the amount of people who were there – at least 200.

‘With a bit of luck the virus won’t have spread too far and turn into a big outbreak.

‘If we do have to go into local lockdown then the pub has a lot to answer for.’

The testing centre has been set up in a car park close to the pub and tests are being offered free with no appointment needed. 

Anyone who has been in contact with someone who was at the pub is also being told they should get a test.

Those who were out anywhere in the town centre on the nights in question and have since developed symptoms are being told to self-isolate.

Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health, said: ‘By getting tested, this gives us important information on the full extent of any outbreak, and allows us to put measures in place if needed to help prevent the spread of infection.

‘We’re doing everything we can to prevent outbreaks and stop the virus from spreading. Residents can help by continuing to follow the rules to stop the spread of Covid-19—washing hands regularly, keeping your distance, and wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport.’

In a statement posted on Facebook before the latest developments, the pub’s owners said they had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the amount of people who had tried to visit. 

They closed the pub last weekend and promised to review their ‘risk assessment’ so that social distancing can be properly followed. 

They had planned to reopen this weekend, according to the statement. No one at the pub was available for further comment.

Mum-of-four, Gemma Harper, 39, who set up a coronavirus support group on Facebook during the height of pandemic said the outbreak could have a huge impact on the town.

She told MailOnline: ‘Some were very poorly but most only had a tickly throat. We don’t know if there have been any hospitalisations and we don’t know if it has passed to any older people. But people are now afraid to go into town. We are bracing for the worst.

‘We have tried so hard as a community but the pub has ruined it all now. We’re worried we are all going back into a lockdown. People are really angry. People were looking forward to going out and about in August, particularly the older people. Now it is all in doubt.’

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