Libraries and community hubs in Newcastle have been closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
City council bosses have confirmed that the vast majority of its libraries and community facilities will be shut until a provisional date of May 1.
The only partial exceptions will be the main City Library, which will continue to offer appointments for those accessing the Biometric Visa Checking Service, and Fenham Library, where community-based addiction recovery services will still be running.
The closure of the community hubs will also impact on access to some of Your Homes Newcastle’s frontline services, which use the centres in the East End, Kenton, Outer West, Walker and West End as a base.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that all of the city’s museums, galleries, and archives would also be shutting – including the Discovery Museum, Laing Art Gallery, Hatton Gallery and Hancock Museum.
Newcastle Civic Centre remains open and all future council meetings are currently under review.
Pat Ritchie, Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council, said: “Following the latest guidance from government on the need to reduce social contact we will be closing our libraries and community hubs to the public from this evening.
“These are difficult decisions to have to make but I am sure people will understand that protecting people’s health – particularly those that are more vulnerable – is the main priority at this time.
“We remain in regular contact with government and Public Health England to ensure that we can inform people and act upon the latest advice and guidance.
“We appreciate people’s support and understanding as we make changes to some services in response to this guidance and wish to reassure people that we are doing everything possible to ensure we continue to prioritise essential frontline services.”
Your Homes Newcastle customers are encouraged to call the organisation’s contact centre on 0191 278 8600.
The following libraries and community hubs in Newcastle will be closed from 5pm on Wednesday, March 18: Blakelaw Library, City Library and Community Hub, Cruddas Park Library, Denton Burn Library, East End Library and Community Hub, Gosforth Library and Community Hub, High Heaton Library and Community Hub, Kenton Library, Newburn Library, Outer West Library and Community Hub, Walker Library, Walker Centre, West End Library and Community Hub.
Durham County Council announced on Wednesday that it had shut down all leisure centres, libraries, venues and cancelled all meetings.
That includes Durham Gala’s Theatre, the Empire Theatre in Consett, Durham Town Hall and Bishop Auckland Town Hall.
In Sunderland, the council has closed the city’s libraries and Washington Arts Centre for the “foreseeable future”.
Sunderland Museum and the Winter Gardens has also been shut until further notice, though leisure centres remain open for now.
