COUNTY bosses have made changes to some services amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A number of venues run by Hampshire County Council have been shut and some services provided by the authority have been altered in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Following the recent government’s advice, the county council has closed all the libraries across the county until further notice.

The outdoors centres run by the authority have also been closed. These include Calshot Activities Centre and Tile Barn Outdoor Centre in the New Forest, Runway’s End Outdoor Centre near Farnborough and The Hampshire and Cass Foundation Mountain Centre in the Brecon Beacons in Wales.

Carparks and facilities including play areas and toilets at country parks across the county have also been closed until further notice and visitors have been asked not to drive to the parks.

All school crossing patrol services have been suspended as schools have closed.

Cllr Rob Humby, executive member for economy, transport and environment at the county council, said: “I am particularly aware that a number of our crossing patrol officers are in vulnerable groups. It would not be possible to maintain a full service. “

All but emergency visits to county council-run care homes have also been stopped to protect elderly people and staff.

But councillor Liz Fairhurst, county council’s executive member for adult social care and health, said the authority will do all it can to support care homes’ residents to stay in touch with their families via phone calls, video calls, instant messaging or letters.

County council leader Councillor Keith Mans, said: “Following the Prime Minister’s announcement introducing further restrictions on the public, we want to reassure residents that Hampshire County Council is working closely with Public Health England, local NHS partners and other agencies to ensure we are all well prepared as the situation develops. Like the government our overall objective remains to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus. To meet this objective we want to ensure critical local services to Hampshire residents are maintained and that we are signposting people to the most up-to-date official sources of information and advice.”