Bettys has closed all six of its cafes and its cookery school in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Staff put up a notice on the door of the Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms in Harrogate detailing the decision based on government advice.

The Bettys shops will remain open as usual, as will the mail order service for collection or home delivery.

Bettys staff have put this notice on the door.

A spokesperson for the tea rooms said today: “Although we’re sad to close our cafés, it is absolutely the right thing to do at this time.

“In the coming days and weeks, we may have to take further steps to do our bit to get everyone through this strange and difficult time.

“Bettys has been around for 100 years, and once this passes we’ll still be here; kettle on, cakes freshly baked, with a smile for all who visit us.”

The government asked the public to avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and social venues yesterday to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Larger hotels and restaurant owners in Harrogate reacted by calling on the government to provide them with financial support.

Students from Harrogate are scrambling to get back home from Spain as coronavirus forces the country into lockdown.

Bethany Sadler from Harrogate had been studying at the University of Granada as part of her year abroad with the University of Birmingham.

The 21-year-old, who studies English and Drama, told The Stray Ferret that the situation in Spain has been “spiralling out of control.”

She said: “The scariest part was how quickly everything changed. We were only placed on lockdown over the weekend.

“We were told on Friday that the university was going to stay open but now we aren’t even allowed outside.

“The police will approach you if you venture outside to ask you what you are doing.”

COVID-19 has hit Spain hard with 9,428 confirmed cases and 335 deaths.

Bethany said she was extremely anxious that she would not be able to book a flight home but landed safely today.

She said that many of her friends had been spending up to £1,000 by booking flights and taxis to make it back to the UK.

It comes as seven people have tested positive for coronavirus in North Yorkshire with one patient being cared for at Harrogate District Hospital.

The NHS is asking people to stay at home for seven days if they have a high temperature or a new, continuous cough.

For the latest advice from Harrogate District Hospital on COVID-19 click here 

Seven people have tested positive for coronavirus in North Yorkshire with one patient being cared for at Harrogate District Hospital. 

The number of COVID-19 cases in the region has risen by six in just a couple of days. 

Harrogate District Hospital confirmed on Sunday, March 15 that one patient there had tested positive for coronavirus. 

The hospital is still caring for that patient today and has “all of the appropriate protection measures in place.”

A spokesperson for the hospital told The Stray Ferret that it would not be providing updates on the patient’s condition or the number of cases.

North Yorkshire County Council Public Health also confirmed that one of the coronavirus patients in the region had returned from Italy. 

The patient reported their symptoms and self-isolated before they tested positive for COVID-19. 

Hospitals and GP surgeries around the Harrogate district have told patients to not attend if they have symptoms of coronavirus.

Ripon Community Hospital has put up a warning on the door: “Due to the increasing cases of coronavirus if you have a new cough and/or a high temperature please do not enter this hospital without a prior appointment.

“Please return home and call 111 immediately.”

GPs are sending out texts warning patients to avoid the surgery if they have coronavirus symptoms.

Across the UK there are now 1,543 confirmed coronavirus cases, which is an increase of 171 cases since Sunday. 

Richard Flinton, the chief executive at North Yorkshire County Council, said that agencies are planning for a “reasonable worst-case scenario.” 

“Understandably, this is a continuously evolving and fast-moving situation – which is why the agencies are prioritising planning and responding to it as the public would understand.

“While we do not expect it, we are planning for a reasonable worst-case scenario so we are as prepared as possible should that be needed.”

The NHS is asking people to stay at home for seven days if they have a high temperature or a new, continuous cough.

For the latest advice from Harrogate District Hospital on COVID-19 click here