A nightclub chain has said it will continue to keep its venues "open as usual" following the coronavirus outbreak.

Pryzm, which has one of its clubs based in Watford town centre, said it will leave it to customers to make "informed decisions".

It comes after the Government set out new measures yesterday to help try and delay the spread of coronavirus.

This includes advising people against going to gatherings and crowded places, such as pubs, clubs and theatres.

Pryzm said that as the situation unfolds it will take any "necessary action" and will do "everything" it can to protect customers and employees.

Hillingdon Times:

Pryzm said it will leave it to customers to make "informed decisions". Photo: Holly Cant

A spokesperson said: “Bars, clubs and restaurants like ours are the lifeblood of any local late night economy and we urge the Government to put a package of measures in place to protect the future of our towns and cities.

“In line with the latest Government advice, our venues remain open as usual. We will leave it to customers to make informed decisions and, as the situation unfolds, will take any necessary action.

"We continue to do everything we can to protect our customers and employees, including stepping up the frequency of cleaning and sanitising and reminding people to wash their hands frequently.

Hillingdon Times:

Pryzm said it had no plans to close. Photo: Holly Cant

"For the safety of everyone, we would encourage anyone who is feeling unwell or experiencing any symptoms to please stay at home.”

Other measures put forward by Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday included that people should work from home where possible and that all "unnecessary" visits to friends and relatives in care homes should be stopped.

As of 9am March 16, there are 29 confirmed cases of coronavius in Hertfordshire.

This was a decrease from 32 - and Public Health England has tried to explain why the number of confirmed cases in the county dropped.

Hillingdon Times:

There are 29 confirmed cases in Hertfordshire, as of 9am March 16. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire​

The Government body said the figures were accurate at the time of publishing. It suggested the data had been subject to "data cleansing" - which is when data is made clearer.

It said: "Further to your query over the case numbers dropping, to clarify, the figures really should be treated as a guide.

"Since they are published on a daily basis, they are subject to data cleansing and as such they can fluctuate between LA areas."

A spokesperson added it is likely that there are more cases.

They said: "What’s more, the figures do not give a true indication of how many cases there are in localities now that testing has changed - now we have moved to the delay phase we are mainly testing in hospitals rather than testing all suspected cases in communities."