Cornwall hotel shuts amid Covid outbreak ahead of G7 summit

Lizzie Roberts
·2 min read
A view of the Pedn Olva hotel in St Ives which is housing security staff and media for the G7 summit nearby in Carbis Bay, which has announced it will shut completely following an outbreak of COVID-19 on June 10, 2021 near St Ives, -  Jeff J Mitchell /Getty 
A view of the Pedn Olva hotel in St Ives which is housing security staff and media for the G7 summit nearby in Carbis Bay, which has announced it will shut completely following an outbreak of COVID-19 on June 10, 2021 near St Ives, - Jeff J Mitchell /Getty

A hotel in Cornwall reportedly hosting media and security staff for the G7 summit has closed following a coronavirus outbreak.

The website for the Pedn Olva hotel in St Ives said it had temporarily shut Thursday and don irected inquiries to its owners, St Austell Brewery.

The hotel said a number of staff had been affected and it would close for deep cleaning following discussions with Public Health England (PHE).

According to reports, the hotel had identified a coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday.

A sign taped to the door on Thursday read: "Sorry we are temporarily closed. Access is for residents only."

It is understood the hotel was housing a number of media teams, including CBS News from the United States. Security staff reportedly protecting the Germany G7 delegation were also staying there, according to Sky News.

The hotel owners, St Austell Brewery, said: "We can confirm that a number of our team at the Pedn Olva, St Ives, have tested positive for Covid-19.

"We immediately notified Public Health England of these cases and have been working closely with them to ensure we follow all appropriate safety guidelines.

"Following extensive discussions over the last few days with PHE and Cornwall Council, we have taken the decision to fully close the hotel.

The Pedn Olva Hotel is seen, after it was closed due to a guest contracting coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during the G7 leaders summit, in St Ives  - REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
The Pedn Olva Hotel is seen, after it was closed due to a guest contracting coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during the G7 leaders summit, in St Ives - REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

"We fully appreciate the inconvenience given the limited accommodation options available in the area at the moment but the safety and security of our team and guests is our upmost priority.

"The hotel will reopen once a full Covid-19 deep clean has taken place and we have the available staff to run it."

The hotel is located around a mile away from the venue where the G7 Summit is being held. It’s website describes the 30-room establishment as “a lovely hotel, surrounded by beautiful beaches and breathtaking views of St Ives Harbour and Bay”.

An employee for the company, speaking anonymously to Cornwall Live, said 13 employees had tested positive.

The outbreak came a day before the G7 Summit was due to begin.

PHE and the Department for Health and Social Care have been approached for comment.