This decision follows Sark Public Health Committee and the States of Guernsey advice.
Stocks had enacted a two-metre minimum social distancing policy, on top of hourly door handle washing, frequent staff hand-washing and switching to disposable paper towels.
Stocks Hotel director Paul Armorgie said to do nothing was not an option.
‘Above all, we have a duty of care to our guests, staff and Sark residents, many of whom are elderly and potentially the most vulnerable in our community.
‘Because it was our own choice to close we are not able to claim against our insurance policy. Similarly there are no business interruption subsidies available from the Sark government.’
For the small family-owned business, the decision will be financially crippling.
‘We have had to cancel or move over 350 individual reservations since Monday 16 March.
‘We cannot put a figure on the financial losses yet,’ Mr Armorgie said.
‘The effect of the pandemic on the entire Sark economy is going to be significant and will create real hardships for many people across the island.’
As a result, most seasonal staff have left Sark.
‘We are deeply disappointed to have to terminate the contracts of our seasonal staff.
‘We work very hard to hand-pick high quality staff and it is absolutely galling to have to lay them off.’
Remaining full-time Stocks staff are working a quarter of their usual weekly hours.
Aside from necessary heightened precautions, the Sark ferry passenger service is as usual.
Similarly the freight ferry services continue delivery of all essential goods and supplies.
So far a visitor to Sark and the accommodation owner where they stayed are in isolation awaiting test results.
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