Coronavirus: Eastbourne coffee shop to close

Jasper Wood, in Cornfield Terrace, announced earlier this week on Facebook they will be closed from Saturday (March 21) onwards and will reopen once it is deemed safe to do so by officials.

Owners Chris Waterstone and Chris Munson have ran the shop for eight years and said they are trying to ‘stop the spread of the virus’.

Mrs Waterstone, 67, said, “We talked it through and it was the right thing to do. We can always open back up again if we need to. But to stop the spread we have to shut down all the social interaction. A large percentage of our regulars are elderly.

“We are putting the NHS at risk and people at risk if we just stay open.

“We are still in shock. A lot of energy and effort goes into being self-employed and then all of a sudden we have got no income. It’s a bit surreal.”

Mrs Waterstone said she believes more establishments will have to shut down soon. She said, “I’m guessing this is going to last a long time. We’re hoping everybody is okay.”

Gilly Cant wrote on Jasper Wood’s Facebook page, “Such a shame, but totally understood. Stay well.”

• Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is an illness which affects the lungs and airways. Symptoms are a high temperature and continuous cough.

• NHS advice is to regularly wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

• If you live alone, stay at home for seven days if you have either a high temperature or a new, continuous cough.

• If you live with others, all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days, from the day when the first person in the house became ill

• Call 111 if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your symptoms get worse.