Rutland County Council is continuing to follow the latest government advice around coronavirus (COVID-19) and has taken the decision to temporarily close local libraries, together with Visions Children's Centre in Oakham, as of today (Friday March 20).

The closures are being put in place to protect members of the public and allow Rutland County Council to redeploy staff elsewhere, to support other services.

The Council has taken the decision to close a number of non-essential services and public assets this week, in response to COVID-19. This includes:

Active Rutland Hub

Brightways Day Centre

Jules House

Household Waste and Recycling Centres

Oakham Castle

Rutland Adult Learning and Skills Service (RALSS)

Rutland County Museum

All children's play areas maintained by Rutland County Council have also been closed.

The above closures will remain in place until further notice – subject to a change in government advice.

The Council is continuing to provide a range of normal services, without disruption, including Planning, Licensing, Environmental Protection, Building Control and Highway Maintenance.

Although Household Waste and Recycling Centres are closed, kerbside bin collections for household waste, recycling and green waste are also continuing as normal.

From Monday March 23 onwards, the Council will be closing the main Customer Service Centre at its offices in Oakham.

Advisors will remain available to assist the public and via the Council's Call Centre, which will operate extended opening hours until 8.00pm, Monday to Friday, to deal with enquiries, including those relating to COVID-19.

There is also have a separate 24-hour emergency support line for enquiries outside of these hours: 01858 464 499.

Councillor Oliver Hemsley, Leader of Rutland County Council, said: "Local Councils across the country are responding to the latest government advice and closing various non-essential services.

"This is being done to protect residents but also to make sure we have enough staff and resources available to support communities – particularly vulnerable people and those who have been identified as being at increases risk from COVID-19.

"These are temporary closures, although it's not currently possible to say when normal service will resume. We will continue to keep you informed through our website, via email and on social media."

For full details of all changes to Council services, plus links to COVID-19 advice, guidance and community support groups, please click here.

Oakham Nub news is sharing the latest government advice on CoronaVirus, which can be seen here.