Precautionary COVID-19 measures taken at Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre, Salisbury

Wiltshire Council's Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre is taking precautionary measures after one member of its Leisure Services staff tested positive for COVID-19, which will result in the learner pool being temporarily unavailable due to other staff having to self-isolate.

All preventative measures have been followed, and the centre has, with the advice of NHS Test and Trace and Wiltshire Council's Public Health Team, asked nine members of staff identified as close contacts to self-isolate for 10 days in line with government guidance. The case has been managed appropriately and an additional 11 close contacts, who were learners at the pool, were also identified and are now self-isolating, in line with government guidance. The self-isolation of everyone involved is precautionary to minimise the risk of onward transmission of the virus.

Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre has worked with the Wiltshire Council Public Health Team to ensure high standards of hygiene and social distancing are maintained and all the necessary measures are in place to allow the site to remain open for members of the public to use safely.  However, due to limited staff availability, the learner pool will be temporarily closed for the rest of today (21 December) and tomorrow (22 December), with existing bookings transferred to the beach pool.  

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Libraries, said " We have followed all the correct measures and customers can be assured that it is as safe as possible for people to visit the centre. We apologise the learner pool will have to temporarily close and we will ensure to keep customers updated on the situation. It goes without saying that the safety of our staff and customers is our utmost priority. We really appreciate the understanding and patience of everyone who has to self-isolate as we know it's not an easy situation, particularly at this time of year."

Kate Blackburn, Director of Public Health, Wiltshire Council, said: "One employee at the centre has now tested positive for COVID-19. We have been working closely with colleagues from Leisure Services to ensure good control measures have been implemented.

"We would like to reassure people using the centre that robust mechanisms are in place to contain the infection and the centre can remain open to the public to use safely."

Customers are recommended to keep an eye out on the centre's webpage and social media pages for any other updates. They can be found at:

https://www.facebook.com/FiveRiversSalisbury/ (opens new window)

https://twitter.com/5riverscentre?lang=en (opens new window)