Dunedin City Council temporarily closes Port Chalmers Pool due to COVID

Dunedin City Council has advised that one of its community pools - Port Chalmers Pool - remains temporarily closed until further notice following five pool staff having tested positive for COVID-19.

DCC Chief Executive Sandy Graham says the five staff to test positive include a lifeguard who worked a shift at Moana Pool while asymptomatic on Saturday.

As a result, the DCC decided to temporarily close the Port Chalmers swimming pool from 22nd February so staff could be diverted to keep Moana Pool open.

However, Graham advised that given the number of pool staff who may be deemed close contacts, and also required to isolate, there will be further disruption to pool operations over the coming days and weeks.

Graham notes “we’re continuing to follow advice from health authorities, and we’ve taken all possible steps to prepare for this eventuality.

“Some disruption is inevitable, but we will be doing our best to minimise its impact, and we ask everyone for patience and understanding as we work through this.”