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A Boots pharmacy that has been shut since the Novichok poisonings in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on 6 July 2018 has been given the all clear to re-open after it was declared safe following extensive testing by specialist teams.
Boots UK confirmed that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Wiltshire Council had given the pharmacy on Stonehenge Walk, Amesbury, the ‘all clear’.
The branch closed on 6 July 2018 after police said that one of the people affected by the nerve agent had visited the store.
It was one of only three buildings in the Salisbury area that remained closed following the incidents, with the house of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, and the house of Charlie Rowley — who also came into contact with the agent — being the other two.
While the store was closed, Boots UK’s other Amesbury store had more pharmacists on duty and extended its opening hours until 20:00 each evening, as well as opening on Sundays.
Sian Wilton, head of customer experience for central region at Boots UK, said: “It’s been a real team effort for everyone involved to make sure that during this time, patients have been able to access their prescription medicines and speak to a pharmacist when they needed to.
“We really appreciate all of the support we’ve had from the local community and for the work that DEFRA has done to make sure that the store is safe.”
The Stonehenge Walk store remains closed for essential maintenance.
