The Orange Aquatic Centre will close and changes have been made to operations at the Orange City Library in the latest response to COVID19.
The NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said this week that while indoor aquatic centres would close, outdoor pools were a question for local councils to judge whether social distancing guidelines could be satisfied.
Orange CEO David Waddell said that after a trial of continuing operations at the outdoor pool today, Council was not satisfied that social distancing guidelines could be met.
“As of 6pm today the entire aquatic centre will be closed indefinitely. While swimming is an important activity for community health and well-being there is a greater imperative at work here in ensuring Council and the community plays a role in responding to this ever emerging issue,” Mr Waddell said.
This announcement follows on from the closure of the indoor section of the facility yesterday.
Mr Waddell said while the Orange City Library would remain open it would be for loans and returns only through the self-service counter. Other services offered at the library such as the personal computers, events and reading groups will stop.
“On a daily basis we make decisions on the information and advice we have available and I expect this is not the last time we will be making announcements about council services,” Mr Waddell said.
“We are in uncharted territory here but we are focussed on the wellbeing of our staff and the Orange community based on the latest advice from health authorities.”
In relation to pool memberships they will be suspended for now and then extended to cover the closure period when operations return to normal.
