MANY residents’ favourite leisure sites are still open around Bracknell Forest.
Schools will shut on Friday and many businesses have closed in efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
READ MORE: All the latest coronavirus updates from around Bracknell Forest
But Bracknell Leisure Centre (BLC), Coral Reef Waterworld and Downshire Golf Complex -- sites run by Everyone Active -- all remain open to the public.
Extra cleaning measures have been introduced at the sites, however.
These include:
- Halving the number of people allowed to take part in group exercise classes
- Ending sessions up to 15 minutes early to allow for “thorough cleaning” equipment between classes
- Increasing the supply of anti-bacterial soap and spray
- Asking customers to wipe down any equipment they have used.
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Mark Tennant, contract manager at Everyone Active, said: “At present, all of our Everyone Active centres in Bracknell remain open until the government advises otherwise.
“We would also like to assure our members it is safe to continue swimming.
“Advice from the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group shows the water and chlorine within the swimming pools will help to kill the virus.
“As per the latest advice from Public Health England, if members are showing signs or symptoms of coronavirus, we are advising they do not attend the centre.
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“However, remaining healthy and active is important now more than ever.
“With this in mind, we are still encouraging our members to keep to their usual routine but remain extra vigilant with their cleanliness and keep up to date with the latest government advice on coronavirus.”
More information on Everyone Active’s coronavirus measures can be found here
Bracknell Forest Council’s Time Square office remains open despite many authority staff being told to work from home.
This comes after council bosses decided to close off The Look Out discovery centre to the general public yesterday.
Timothy Wheadon, Bracknell Forest Council’s chief executive, said: “We are endeavouring to keep as many of our services as possible available to the public through these difficult times.
“Most enquiries and requests can be dealt with via our website, or by emailing our customer services team.
“Currently, our Time Square office is open to the public, and we have no plans to close.
“However, a high proportion of our staff are following the government’s guidance and are working from home, so we would urge residents not to attend in person unless their issue is genuinely urgent and there is no reasonable alternative way to contact us.”
Bracknell Town Council offices have been closed until further notice
— Bracknell TC (@bracknelltc) March 19, 2020
Anyone needing to get in touch with the authority should ring 01344 420079
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