TWO popular Island eateries have had to close due to the Covid pingdemic.

The restaurant at Albert Cottage Hotel in East Cowes has had to close until the end of the week after staff were informed by NHS track and trace they must isolate.

A statement on the restaurant's Facebook page said yesterday (Monday): "It is with much regret that we need to cancel restaurant bookings this evening and all lunch and afternoon tea bookings until the end of the week.

"A number of staff have been contacted via NHS track and trace who have to self isolate and we are not able to deliver our usual high standards of service, and that which our customers rightly expect.

"We hope to contact all customers directly within the next couple of hours. The situation is being closely monitored and reviewed and we expect to return to normal service for Friday evening, August 6.

"For clarity, those that have tested positive are not members of staff, nor visitors to the hotel.

"I sincerely apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience we know this will cause but it is completely beyond our control. I also thank all our customers for their understanding and acceptance of the situation.

"We need to support all our staff through this difficult situation and will do all we can to play our part in helping to ensure the safety of our staff, customers, suppliers and all their families and friends and help to stop the spread of Covid-19."

The hotel remains open.

Meanwhile, The Kitchen at London House in Ventnor has had to close again, just days after re-opening following a self-isolation stint.

On July 20, the popular cafe and shop famous for its cakes and sausage rolls had to close due to a key member of staff having to self-isolate.

It re-opened on July 27, but just three days later was forced to close again, on July 30.

A post on the London House Facebook page said: "It is with regret, that we have to temporarily close the shop again!

"This time, several members of staff have been pinged and, following Government guidelines, are self-isolating to protect their friends and family.

"We intend to reopen August 10, but do keep an eye on this page and we’ll keep you updated."

The NHS Covid-19 app is being updated in response to the ‘pingdemic’, the Department for Health and Social Care said yesterday.

Updates will see fewer people who have been in close contact to people infected with the virus told to self-isolate.

Read more about that here