Shops, restaurants, and schools across the Harrogate have all closed their doors to try and limit the spread of coronavirus.

It comes after the government advised people to avoid pubs, clubs, restaurants, and theatres yesterday.

The government has not advised businesses to close down but some have said it’s the “responsible thing to do.”

4pm – Ripon Cathedral halts public worship

Ripon Cathedral has suspended all of its public worship until further notice in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The cathedral clergy will continue to say daily offices and celebrate Holy Communion either in private or through a live stream.

A tweet from the cathedral team said they were “praying for all at this time of anxiety.”

Ripon Cathedral.

3.30pm – Harrogate tea rooms close and launch delivery

A second tea room in Harrogate has closed down and has launched a new delivery service in its place.

Mama Doreen’s Emporium on Station Square said it would keep the shop open but will no longer let people eat inside the tea room.

The management team is currently reaching out to customers who have booked a table to offer to delivery afternoon tea to their doors.

Mama Doreen’s is closing its doors.

3pm – Harrogate cinemas close temporarily

Two major cinemas in Harrogate have closed their doors temporarily as coronavirus spreads across the country.

The Odeon on East Parade has closed “until further notice” and the Everyman Cinema at Westgate House has closed for the next two weeks.

Anyone who has booked tickets for either cinema should get in touch with customer services.

2pm – Harrogate International Festivals cancels events

Harrogate International Festivals (HIF) has cancelled all of its events until April 4 “in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The arts charity has said it is reliant on ticket sales and urged some people to donate the value of their ticket rather than request a refund.

A spokesperson said: “Without our events, there is no ticket income and this puts us, along with many other festivals, into a grave situation.”

Harrogate International Festivals has cancelled its upcoming events.

11.15am – Harrogate orchestra postpones concert

The Harrogate Orchestra has postponed its concert at the Royal Hall over coronavirus fears.

Anyone who was planning to go to the show on Saturday, March 21 will be able to use their ticket for the new date once that has been confirmed.

At the moment, the orchestra is looking at rescheduling the concert after the summer holidays.

The Harrogate Orchestra rehearsing.

11am – Harrogate theatre closed until the end of the month

Harrogate Theatre has closed until the end of the month following government advice about COVID-19.

The theatre’s management will review the decision to close again next week on March 23.

A spokesperson said they would contact people with bookings “in due course.”

As we continue to follow the UK Government updates & advice, we will now be closed until 31st March 2020. This will be reviewed again week commencing 23rd March.

If you have a booking with us for an event during this period, please bear with us. We will be in touch in due course

— Harrogate Theatre (@HGtheatre) March 17, 2020

10.30am – Harrogate Flower Show cancelled

Organisers of the Harrogate Flower Show have cancelled its Spring event to “safeguard visitors.”

The event was planned to start on April 23 until April 26 but visitors will now be offered refunds or tickets for the autumn show.

A spokesperson said they took the decision to cancel with “great sadness.”

#harrogateflowershow With great sadness we announce cancellation of 2020 Spring Flower Show to safeguard our visitors & exhibitors & combat spread of coronavirus. We will offer refunds or tickets for 2020 autumn show visit https://t.co/Px26uiiqaN for details pic.twitter.com/rDb9qMUbQv

— HarrogateFlowerShow (@HarrogateFlower) March 17, 2020

10am – Springtime Live cancelled

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society has taken the decision to cancel Springtime Live over coronavirus.

It was due to be held on Saturday, March 28 but now all ticket holders will be automatically refunded.

Organisers are still planning to hold the Great Yorkshire Show on Tuesday, July 14 to July 16 but that is subject to the latest government advice.

Springtime Live.

9am – Bettys closes all cafes

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.

Following yesterday’s Government advice about social venues, we’ve taken the decision to close our six cafés and Bettys Cookery School. Our shops will remain open as usual for the time being, as will our mail order service (https://t.co/eYqD4jCnYr). 1/5 pic.twitter.com/RCL4rFHxjA

— Bettys (@Bettys) March 17, 2020

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