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20th March 2020
Posted by Johnny Jenkins
All Essex County Council libraries will be closed for a period of up to three months in response to the coronavirus situation.
The closure is set to take place from 5pm tonight (Friday 20th March).
The Government’s current advice with regard to the Covid-19 epidemic is for the population of the United Kingdom to practise social distancing by minimising contact with other people and for people to work at home if possible to reduce social contact. This temporary closure of the library service will assist with the implementation of this advice and protect the staff and customers.
Cllr Susan Barker, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Customer, Communities, Culture and Corporate, said:
“We do this with a heavy heart, but we have to consider the impact on the health and safety of staff and library customers.
“We will be re-opening all Essex libraries as soon as possible.”
The mobile library service and home library service will also be temporarily withdrawn to protect older people and volunteers.
Loans of material which are active as of Friday 20th March will be extended until three weeks after the date on which the library from which the item was borrowed from has reopened.