A GYM in Hereford has further slashed its opening hours after more staff tested positive for Covid.

thePoint4, a leisure facility with a gym, personal trainers, fitness classes, Astro pitch and a sports hall, said it was left with no option but to close at 5pm on Monday, four-and-a-half hours early.

And those early closing times are continuing this week, closing at 5pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, instead of 9.30pm, and 2pm on the weekend, instead of 5pm.

The centre, in Venns Lane, said it was due to "unforeseen circumstances and severe staff shortages due to Covid-related illness".

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It left bosses with "no other option" but to close early.

The continued early closing times are due to an increase in staff receiving positive Covid results, thePoint4 said.

Explaining its decision, the gym said the Royal National College for the Blind, where the gym is based, is following some "logically, strictly policies" for Covid.

It said that staff should be testing regularly, if they are experiencing symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has Covid.

Four manager-trained members of staff, those capable of running the building, are off. Three of those have Covid, and one is on holiday.

Any evening classes and bookings after 5pm are also cancelled as only one manager is left to the run the gym, where all of the income generated helps educate and train students with visual impairment or sight loss.

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"It's a sombre reminder that Covid is still out there, it is still prevalent," a spokesperson for the gym said.

In the interest of people's health and their safety, staff with Covid are being told to stay away despite no legal requirement to do so.

"We hope to back to operating at full capacity next week," the gym added.

"Once again we thank you for your patience and support, and apologise for any problems or inconveniences we may cause you."