Post office closes to await health advice

A Sunderland post office has closed while bosses await advice from Public Health.

Fulwell Post Office, in Sea Road, made the announcement on its Facebook page yesterday.

A short statement reads simply: “Sorry folks, we need to temp close while we await instructions from public health.”

It does not state why the closure has had to be made, but the business has previously warned of the possible consequences of staff members being diagnosed with COVID-19 and requested customers to follow the national guidance on face masks and social distancing.

A number of posts have been made on the social media account urging anyone who has taken a coronavirus test and is sending it off through the mail to use the post box outside the shop and not to enter the premises.

The most recent request, posted on September 19, warns that the business would be forced to close for up to a fortnight in the event any member of staff contracts the virus: “Polite notice. Any covid test packets go in the post box outside as per test kit instructions, you don’t bring them into the branch and PLEASE wear your mask properly,” it says.

"If one of the staff get symptoms we will have to close for two weeks while we isolate. "Think how much this will inconvenience the public, please follow the rules and keep yourself and others safe.”

A national Post Office spokesman confirmed the closure was covid-related but said no further details were yet available. "We hope the branch will be able to reopen as soon as possible,” he added.