How local services are affected by the coronavirus pandemic

The safety and wellbeing of residents and our staff is always our priority. We are actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and are taking steps to keep our communities and staff safe.

The below outlines the current situation regarding the impact on local services:

• Arts and culture
• Care homes, vulnerable and older people
• Children's Centres and Youth Centres
• Day Centres
• Council Civic buildings
• Events/Council building hire
• Housing
• Libraries
• Parks and open spaces
• Planning
• Register Office services
• Schools
• Services for children with special educational needs
• Sports centres
• Transport and parking
• Waste and recycling centres

Arts and culture

The main gallery at Orleans House Gallery remains closed. However, the Stables Courtyard Gallery and Stables Cafe is open to the public from 13 April.

Care homes, vulnerable and older people

Our health and adult social care services department have been working in partnership with care providers across the borough to ensure that relevant steps are being taken to minimise the risks of the virus for both staff and residents.

Guidance for residential care homes, supported living and home care guidance.

Children’s Centres and Youth Centres

From 12 April, Youth Centres and Children’s Centres across the borough will offer scheduled drop-in sessions and activities, both indoors and outdoors.

View COVID 19: latest information and advice

Day centres

Our day centres reopened on 8 March.

Council Civic buildings

The Civic Centre is currently open for limited services only. You can book a face-to-face appointment only where enquiries cannot be resolved online or by phone. Go to: www.richmond.gov.uk or call 020 8891 1411.

Please continue to access services online if you can, or contact services by telephone:

• Adult Social Care - Telephone 020 8891 7971
• Housing and Homelessness - Telephone 020 8891 7409
• Children and Family Support - Telephone 020 8891 7969
• Council Tax /Housing Benefit - Telephone 020 8891 1411
• COVID-19 Community Hub - Telephone 020 8871 6555

Events/Council venue hire

Following the Government guidance, all public events held on Council premises or property will unfortunately be cancelled or postponed. More information on events.

Housing

Check how housing services are currently affected.

Libraries

From 12 April, seven of the borough's main libraries will reopen for browsing. Please be aware that wearing face coverings inside libraries is mandatory and social distancing measures will be in place. This means that people may have to queue outside the library. Following official advice, all returned books are being quarantined for 72 hours before being put back on shelves.

In addition, there are a number of public computers that will be available at eight local libraries. These will need to be booked in advance by calling 020 8734 3308 during opening hours.

In line with Government guidance, a number of local libraries will also provide click and collect services, Home Delivery and online services only. 

Please check our Libraries pages for further information.

Parks and open spaces

All our parks and open spaces will remain open. This includes playgrounds. Multi-games areas and outdoor gyms are also now open. However please note that from this date, the rule of six applies, or gatherings of no more than two households.

For families using the playgrounds, please do so carefully, remember that everyone (including children) should social distance and wash their hands immediately after use.

Planning

See details of service changes due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Register Office services

Wedding ceremonies are now allowed with up to 12 people. The Register Office are in the process of contacting all those who have ceremonies booked and further information will follow next week.

Deaths will continue to be registered by telephone. Admission to the office will be by appointment only. Please see information regarding how to register a death during the coronavirus pandemic.

Schools

Schools are open. Please see Achieving for Children for the latest information.

Services for children with special education needs

The Council and Achieving for Children (AfC) are working closely with children with special educational needs, disabilities and complex health conditions and their families. More information about SEN services.

Sports centres

Sports and fitness centres and indoor pools across the borough will start to reopen from 12 April, with those wanting to use the facilities reminded to book a timed session in advance.

The outdoor pool at Pools on the Park and sports pitches at Whitton, Teddington and Shene Sport and Fitness centres reopened in March. But from 12 April, the indoor pools and gyms at Teddington Pools and Fitness Centre, Pools on the Park and Shene Sports and Fitness Centre, will also reopen.

To ensure social distancing our facilities will have a significantly reduced capacity and all activities will be in timed sessions which all customers will be required to book onto in advance.

Bookings can be made via the LBRUT app and by phone on 020 3772 2999.

In addition, whilst face coverings are not mandatory in sports centres, we politely request that all users do wear them in public areas e.g. reception.

More information about sports centres.

Transport and parking

The Council and Transport for London (TfL) have made a number of changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including making it compulsory to wear a face mask on all public transport. 

Read the latest information regarding transport and parking.

Waste and recycling services

Townmead Road Waste and Recycling Centre remains open. You now need to book in advance. 

The fortnightly garden waste collection service and bulky waste collection service have started.