TWO members of staff from a Bolton McDonald's are self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus.

The China Gardens branch of the popular takeaway saw two employees contract covid-19 last week.

A cleaning company was hired to perform a deep clean of the premises, with all employees, Public Health England, and Bolton Council's Environmental Health Officer made aware of the cases.

News of the infections spread across the borough, leaving customers concerned that they could have been exposed.

However, McDonald's have moved to reassure customers that the branch followed the correct procedure and has been working to keep staff and customers safe.

A spokeswoman for McDonald's said: “Two employees at the China Garden restaurant tested positive for COVID-19 last week and are self-isolating.

"As soon as we were informed, the restaurant was deep cleaned by an external cleaning company, and we contacted restaurant employees, as well as Public Health England and the Environmental Health Officer.

"We have a number of safety measures in place to help keep our people safe, including Perspex screens, temperature checks at the start of each shift, maintaining a two metre distance from others as much as possible, face coverings, regular hand washing and the use of hand sanitiser.”

Last week, a pub in Breightmet closed for 48 hours to undergo a deep clean after coronavirus cases were linked to the site.

Henighans Eat and Drink, in Bury Road, Breightmet received a call last week from a customer who had tested positive for the virus and had been in the pub on Saturday, August 22.

Nick Howcroft, managing director, had intended to keep the pub open on the advice of NHS Test and Trace and Bolton Council, but instead decided to close for 48 hours for a thorough clean and for staff to get a coronavirus test to reassure customers.

An establishment does not have to close if it is linked to a positive coronavirus case as long as it follows guidance issued by NHS Test and Trace and the local public health team.