Coronavirus: Summerhill Country Park visitor centre closed as cafe operators self-isolate

The move comes after the operators of the on-site cafe began to self-isolate after they reported feeling unwell.

The visitor centre is due to reopen on Monday, March 16 following a deep clean.

Hartlepool Borough Council has also made the decision to postpone Monday’s “Face the Public” event at the Civic Centre.

The event, which aims to enable residents to find out more about community safety, health and wellbeing, will be rescheduled “in due course”.

Gill Alexander, chief executive of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “I would like to reassure residents that these are precautionary steps. We are monitoring the national situation and are aware these are worrying times for many people, and we want to be as open as we possibly can be.

“The deep clean at Summerhill is well underway and the visitor centre is due to reopen on Monday.

“Part of the focus of Monday’s “Face the Public” event was health and wellbeing and we did not want to put anyone – particularly those with underlying health problems – at unnecessary risk.

“I have established a team of staff from across the council to ensure we are on the front foot when it comes to managing risks in relation to coronavirus and we are currently looking at all events and meetings individually to see if they should go ahead.”