I’m a little tea potty! Cafe owner slams Covid test and trace as ‘ludicrous’ after all his staff were sent home to isolate

• The Orchard Tea Garden in Grantchester has been visited by many celebrities
• But it has been forced to close until at least the middle of the week due to testing
• The staff have either been alerted by the NHS app or the test and trace system

The proprietor of a historic cafe has called for the ‘ludicrous’ test and trace system to be scrapped before it destroys the hospitality industry.

The Orchard Tea Garden in Grantchester, near Cambridge, has been visited by Virginia Woolf, Alan Turing and Stephen Hawking over the years.

But it has been forced to close until at least the middle of the week after its staff were sent home to self-isolate.

Mr Bunker, who posted a video online of the empty gardens, added: ‘This wonderful part of England has been shut down through the ludicrous track and trace system, which has to end’

Around 20 people, a combination of full-time supervisors and student seasonal staff, work at The Orchard.

The first staff member was told to isolate on Wednesday, three more followed on Thursday and at least three more on Friday, when businessman Charles Bunker, 70, had no choice but to close.

The staff have either been alerted by the NHS app or the test and trace system and told to self-isolate.

None is said to be ill and Mr Bunker said he knows of only one person in the area – not linked to the business – who has the virus. He said: ‘Enough is enough, it has to stop.’ 

Mr Bunker, who posted a video online of the empty gardens, added: ‘This wonderful part of England has been shut down through the ludicrous track and trace system, which has to end.

‘It’s not just destroying businesses like mine, but it’s destroying pubs and hospitality businesses, restaurants, cafes up and down the land.’

Mr Bunker said in the clip: ‘Just showing you what track and trace is doing to a normally thriving business. This time of year in July normally we would be quite full but now none of our staff is poorly but they have all been sent home unable to work.

It is also hoped the requirement for diners and drinkers to check into restaurants and pubs using the Test and Trace app will be dropped as soon as July 19

‘It means that for 10 days this business, which is dependent upon its summer trade is going to have no income at all.

Hospitality businesses across Britain have complained of difficulties filling vacancies and staff shortages made worse by healthy young staff being forced to self-isolate.

However, it is hoped a Cabinet meeting today (Monday) will address the industry’s concerns.

Among the measures that may soon be adopted are an end to mandatory self-isolation for anyone fully vaccinated who has come into close contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus.

It is also hoped the requirement for diners and drinkers to check into restaurants and pubs using the Test and Trace app will be dropped as soon as July 19, although an exact date has yet to be finalised.

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