PEOPLE in North Yorkshire who are fit and healthy are being urged to keep donating blood as normal during the coronavirus outbreak.

NHS Blood and Transplant said it has put extra safety measures in place.

A spokesperson for the organisation commented: “Safety is always our number one priority. We’re now doing extra cleaning and we’ve started triaging everyone who arrives so only people with no risk factors can enter the donation area.

“Our sessions and donor centres are still open.

“Travel to blood donation sessions is essential for the NHS.

“We’re asking donors in North Yorkshire to follow the latest advice on our website and app, and the advice from the Government. We’re regularly reviewing the situation and working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care, PHE, and the UK’s other blood donation services. Donations have dropped, though our stock levels are currently still good because hospitals are cancelling routine operations. We need people to keep donating to make sure we can keep supplying the blood hospitals need in the coming weeks and months. Patients and doctors are relying on us to be there.”