Coronavirus: Council closes facilities

PACEMAKER BELFAST 04/03/2020
A mock-up takes place in the event of a patient needing checked for the Coronavirus at the Ambulance Bay beside the Emergency Department at Antrim Area Hospital.
Special coronavirus pods are now in action in Northern Ireland to test people who think they have the coronavirus.
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press — PACEMAKER BELFAST 04/03/2020 A mock-up takes place in the event of a patient needing checked for the Coronavirus at the Ambulance Bay beside the Emergency Department at Antrim Area Hospital. Special coronavirus pods are now in action in Northern Ireland to test people who think they have the coronavirus. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

As of 2pm this afternoon (Monday) these centres will close until further notice as a precautionary response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking about the decision, Chair of Mid-Ulster District Council, Martin Kearney, said: “Of paramount importance is the health and well being of our staff, our customers and of our wider local communities.

“We hope these closures will offer reassurance to our employees and the public, as well as making a very practical contribution to minimising social contact.

“Our staff will be reporting to work as normal, our parks and open spaces remain open and our other services are being delivered as normal.”

It is understood members of Mid Ulster District Council are to meet later tonight in Magherafelt to discuss the rapidly evolving situation.

Adam Morton , Local Democracy Reporting Service