THURROCK Council has announced a number of closures and changes to service this evening (Thursday, 19 March) including closing day care centres and Thurrock Adult Community College.

It says it is making changes to some services as it continues to follow national guidance in managing coronavirus.

The changes taking place include:

The council's three Day Centres - Kynoch Court, Stanford-Le-Hope; Thurrock Carers Centre, Cromwell Road, Grays, and Bellhouse, South Ockendon - will be closed from Saturday until further notice.

Home visits will be provided to the centres' most vulnerable users.

A council spokesperson said: "This decision has been taken in line with national guidance and to ensure resources are used effectively to provide key services to the most vulnerable residents."

Communal halls at sheltered housing accommodation facilities will be closed and all group activities cancelled.

Libraries and hubs will remain open but opening hours are under constant review. Changes will be updated daily on the council website's libraries page.

All face-to-face and group smoking cessation meetings have been suspended and will take place by telephone with nicotine replacement therapies delivered to residents by post.

Council delivered NHS Healthchecks will be suspended until after June with exiting appointments moved and new bookings only made for appointments to take place after June.

Thurrock Adult Community College will close to adult learners on Friday. Adult learners will be provided with opportunities to continue their learning remotely if they are studying for a qualification.

The civic offices remain open, however, the council would like to remind residents that many services are available online through the council's website.

Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "We will continue to follow national government advice and guidance to ensure that critical services are delivered for our residents in a way that supports and protects the most vulnerable.

"With the schools set to close to the majority of children we know that this is a worrying time but I would like to reassure residents that we have plans in place and are working hard to maintain critical services and support local people."