A popular Wirral pub is only letting in “regulars” in a bid to protect people from coronavirus.

Posting on Facebook, Ray Parker, owner of The Willows in Saughall Massie, said only regulars would be allowed in as he tries to protect his family and staff from Covid-19.

Ray’s post read: “I have not enjoyed the first six weeks of opening. I have thought long and hard about this due to the rising number of cases on the Wirral and the football season starting [last] Saturday, I’ve decided to close The Willows doors again.

“I’m going to go from a public house to a community house, my doors will not be open to the general public only regulars of The Willows community will be allowed in and you will have to contact me to gain entry.

“I have a duty to myself, my sister, my staff and my community to keep them as safe as possible. There’s no guarantee we can keep it out, but I have a better chance this way.

“I’m sorry to have to do this and as I say I’ve not taken this decision lightly. Look after yourself everyone, stay safe.”

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Ray said he had gone into his own “community bubble” for the benefit of those closest to him. He did not know how long this arrangement would have to last for.

He added: “My customers ring me now to gain entry into the pub and feel a lot more relaxed, everyone still has to sign in and sanitise and [socially] distance, it’s important we all do our bit to stop the spread of Covid-19.”

Ray’s decision comes after the whole of Merseyside was put on the government’s official coronavirus watch list due to its high and increasing number of coronavirus cases.

This means that the government is now closely monitoring the situation in Merseyside regarding infection rates and could soon impose new restrictions if cases continue to rise.

Last week, a Wallasey pub became the fifth pub in the borough to shut down due to one or more Covid-19 cases within a week.

The Blind Pig in Heswall was closed on Sunday and Monday after one of its customers tested positive for the virus and Andre’s Restaurant in West Kirby said it will close until September 21 after a waiter, who had taken time off last week, tested positive for Covid-19.

Many people also reported that the Jug and Bottle in Heswall was shut, however a notice on its website does not mention coronavirus.

The message said: “Closed until Tuesday 15th of September.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances we will be closed from Friday 11th of September until 2.30pm on Tuesday 15th of September.”

In a plea to avoid more restrictions in Wirral, Cllr Janette Williamson, the council’s cabinet member for finance, said: “We do not want a local lockdown. We know it affects the mental and physical wellbeing of our residents. We have seen the damage lockdown does to livelihoods and businesses.

“We can only avoid going back to that if people continue to play their part. We have a collective responsibility to keep ourselves and others well.”