MALDON District Council has closed a number of services as part of the Government’s new restrictions to combat coronavirus.

It was announced earlier this morning that the council offices in Princes Road were closed for the foreseeable future.

Following the announcements by the Prime Minster on March 23, there have been several services which have been impacted.

Vehicular access to Promenade Park is now closed and anyone visiting on foot must observe the social distancing guideline of keeping two metres apart.

All events in any council-owned parks and open spaces are suspended until the end of June.

Promenade Park’s Splash Park will remain shut until further notice.

Parks remain open to visitors on foot, but they must observe the Government’s guidelines.

All Pay and Display car park machines will now only accept card or mobile app payments.

All council meetings have been suspended.

All public toilets not operating under the RADAR scheme are closed.

All play areas owned by the council have been closed.

There will be no new bookings for bulky waste collection, no new subscribers being taken on for green waste collection, and the council will keep residents updated on any changes to all waste collection.

The council are not able to offer pest control appointments, but the pest control officer will be available for telephone advice.

A community support scheme has been set up to help distribute food and supplies through volunteers and key workers.

The council are also working to implement the measures announced by the Government to support businesses in the area.

The latest advice on Covid-19 is available on the Public Health England and NHS websites.

Essex County Council’s Director of Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities, Mike Gogarty said: “New cases of coronavirus is nothing unexpected.

“We fully anticipate an increase in numbers which is why our services have planned for, and are ready, for this situation.”