Wolverhampton food bank forced to close after positive Covid test
A positive coronavirus test has caused a city foodbank to temporarily close its doors.
The Elias Mattu Foundation in Wolverhampton has closed to the public after a member of staff was notified by NHS track and trace that they had been in contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid-19.
Councillor Asha Mattu, who runs the foundation, said she believed it had come from a member of the public who visited the foundation some time in the last week.
She also said that while the closure on January 10 was not ideal, it was essential in order to protect the welfare of all the volunteers and service users at the foundation.
She said: "It's a shame that we're all having to self-isolate and take tests after the notification, but we've got everything handled.
"For the next couple of days, I'm going to remain close as I'll give it a deep clean and ensure that everything is clean thoroughly and then look to reopen the following week."
Councillor Mattu also said she was receiving offers of help from other foodbanks based in Wolverhampton.
She said: "I've had food banks ring me and let me know that they've seen our Facebook post and have offered to deliver any emergency parcels that we have.
"It's nice as we're all able to come together and support each other, as we have been doing since this pandemic started.
"It's all about putting communities first and coming together and this proves how much we are working together."
Councillor Mattu has asked followers and service users of the Foundation to stay safe and follow the government guidelines around washing hands, keeping social distances and generally to be safe.
To keep in touch with reopening dates and find out more about the Elias Mattu Foundation, go to facebook.com/eliasmattufoundation
