Oporto announces reopening date after positive coronavirus case closed four Call Lane bars

Oporto has announced its reopening date after the bar was forced to close due to a staff member testing positive for coronavirus.
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The popular music venue and vegan eatery announced on Monday, August 31 that a staff member had tested positive for Covid-19.

Three other bars that are run by the same company - the Akito Bar Group - also closed as a precautionary measure.

Oporto Bar on Call Lane will reopen in a few weeks after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus.Oporto Bar on Call Lane will reopen in a few weeks after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus.
Oporto Bar on Call Lane will reopen in a few weeks after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus.
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At the time, the group said: "To all of our wonderful guests, we are sorry to advise you that one of our staff members has tested positive for covid-19 and, as a precautionary measure, we have temporarily suspended service to allow us to send all of our staff members to be tested.

"The health and safety of our staff and our guests is absolutely paramount. We are working with Public Health England to follow the correct steps and a full deep clean will be carried out in all sites. If you are deemed to be at risk then NHS track & trace will contact you directly.

"We will open our doors again once it’s safe to do so."

Jakes Bar, Neon Cactus and Power, Corruption and Lies reopened on Thursday, September 3.

Oporto's event manager Nick Simcock, pictured shortly before the bar's closure in March (Photo: Tony Johnson)Oporto's event manager Nick Simcock, pictured shortly before the bar's closure in March (Photo: Tony Johnson)
Oporto's event manager Nick Simcock, pictured shortly before the bar's closure in March (Photo: Tony Johnson)

This is because all staff at those sites tested negative and it was deemed safe for them to return to work.

The bars have all been deep cleaned, a spokesman confirmed.

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Oporto remains closed because the staff at the bar are considered "close contacts" despite receiving negative Covid-19 test results.

This means they must isolate for 14 days.

Due to this, Oporto will reopen on Saturday, September 14.

An Oporto spokesman said: "Update: All staff that have been listed as close contacts have had their results come back negative.

"Unfortunately, despite their negative results, public health England’s instruction is for all people listed as close contacts to isolate for 14 days from last contact.

"This means Oporto will reopen on Saturday September 12th. We will always follow Public Health England’s advice to enable us to be the most responsible operators that we can be.

"We can’t wait to welcome you back then."

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In June, Oporto joined a national campaign to save gig spaces as it called for more support for independent venues.

-> Leeds bar Oporto joins national #SaveOurVenues campaign as it fights to stay openIt joined the #SaveOurVenues campaign, launched by the Music Venue Trust (MVT), which found that 554 of its 670 member venues are under threat of "imminent closure" as a result of Covid-19.

The initiative is lobbying for more Government support and encourages venues to offer live streamed gigs and events in exchange for donations.

Oporto has launched a Crowdfunder page for donations as it streams live gigs, interviews and events to keep bringing "a little bit of fun" to the people of Leeds.

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It has also launched new merchandise with Leeds-based brand Awesome Merch, selling t-shirts, bags and mugs with Oporto imagery and tongue-in-cheek lockdown reopening rules.

The bar's event manager, Nick Simcock, said: “We liked the idea of rather than asking for money, which feels a bit trite at this time when everyone is struggling, we would give something in exchange for donations.

“We’ve hosted virtual parties, interviews with former staff members, live sets and even quizzes. People who love and support the venue donate thirty minutes of their time to entertain or share stories and if people enjoy it, they can donate for the price of a pint or a ticket.

“If they can’t afford it, they might share it and remember the bar. It felt much closer to what we do at Oporto, it’s a little bit of fun in exchange for support.”

You can support the Oporto campaign on the Crowfunder website.