Changes made to services across Newtownabbey as new restrictions introduced

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has amended a number of its services following the latest round of restrictions announced by the Northern Ireland Executive.
Mossley Mill.Mossley Mill.
Mossley Mill.

Council operated leisure centres will remain open for individual gym training and individual and family swims.

All fitness classes and outdoor sports will be cancelled, but the council is launching MORE Live.

Available free of charge to all residents via the council website, this virtual programme of streamed classes brings the intensity of the workout studio to your living room.

The local authority’s outdoor pitches and courts will be closed, but outdoor bowling greens will remain open.

Galleries and exhibition spaces at Clotworthy House are closed, however the shop remains open and the café is available for take-aways only. The council’s caravan parks will be closed except for emergencies.

Weddings, civil partnerships and funerals will see numbers restricted to 25 people.

Council community centres will remain open where their use is for childcare and services that can be delivered on an individual basis where appropriate social distancing measures are in place.

All council parks, playparks and public toilet facilities will remain open.

As well as the amendments to public facilities, the council is supporting local businesses with a more visible presence across the towns.

Over the next few weeks a team of Town Centre Marshalls will be out encouraging shoppers to wear their face coverings and maintain social distancing while in the shops.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Cllr Jim Montgomery said: “We are at a critical point, but the power is in our own hands to control the spread of this virus.

“If we each take personal responsibility and do the basic things like wash hands, wear a face covering, and keep our distance, we will reduce the number of cases, and crucially support and protect our NHS and other frontline workers.

“I recognise these latest restrictions represent significant disruption to our daily lives, but I would strongly urge people across our borough, they must respect them.”

Meanwhile, Libraries NI confirmed libraries are now open to offer book and collect services only.

Customers can phone their local library to request a selection of books and arrange a contactless collection. Access to book browsing in branch libraries is suspended for four weeks.

A spokesperson for Libraries NI said: “Consideration as to how we will continue to offer controlled access to IT services is currently underway and further details will be available next week.

“For Book and Collect, simply call the library during opening hours and speak to a member of staff who will set the book/s aside and arrange a suitable day and time for contactless collection.

“During the four weeks, customers can also continue to access online training and activities, as well as immediate and free access to over 17,000 eBooks and audiobooks, 160 eMagazines and 3,000 eNewspapers in the usual manner.

“For full details on digital services available, the Book and Collect service, including library contact telephone numbers and to keep up to date with further developments, visit www.librariesni.org.uk”

Specsavers in the Abbey Centre remains open for all eye care and hearing needs in the wake of new restrictions.

Specsavers has also introduced a number of ways to access services without leaving home, including RemoteCare - a free consultation service offering advice and care via video and telephone link.

Glasses and contact lenses can also be bought online with a current prescription through their new e-commerce service.

For more information, check out www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/newtownabbey or phone 028 9036 9569.

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