Sunderland city centre Santander branch closes for two weeks after positive Covid-19 test

A spokesperson for the bank, on Waterloo Place, said the contractor visited on Friday, September 11 and later tested positive for the illness.

There have been no further cases confirmed at the branch thus far, but it has closed as a precaution while the staff self-isolate for the next 14 days.

Santander has also reassured people who may have visited on that day that the contractor did not work anywhere near customers during his attendance at the city centre branch.

Those who need to access the bank during its closure have instead been told to use the branch locator on the Santander website or use online banking.

They can also visit their local Post Office for banking services until Santander reopens.

A Santander spokesperson said: “We have been notified of a contractor who visited our Sunderland branch on September 11, who later tested positive for Covid-19. He did not work near customers when he visited the branch.

“As a precaution, all of the branch’s staff are self-isolating for 14 days and we have closed the branch during this period.

"Customers who need to access a branch can use our branch locator to find their nearest alternative branch, or use online or mobile banking, or their local Post Office until the branch reopens.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers during this time and will work to reopen the branch as quickly as possible.”

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