Library, leisure centre and museum closures hit Anglesey amid coronavirus crackdown

Libraries, leisure centres and the county museum and archives are all be closed until further notice, Anglesey Council has announced.

Citing public safety amid a crackdown during the coronavirus pandemic, the council revealed that all “non essential” buildings would be closed to the public from 5pm yesterday.

In a joint statement on behalf of the leader and chief executive, it was also made clear that the authority may eventually have to implement the emergency re-deployment policy in order to ensure that Council staff (that will no longer be in their usual roles) can contribute to other areas where the demand is highest.

The move, set to remain in place “until further notice”, will affect:

• Oriel Ynys Môn, Llangefni
• Anglesey Archives, Llangefni
• All Anglesey libraries (Amlwch, Beaumaris, Benllech, Holyhead, Llangefni, Menai Bridge and Rhosneigr)
• All Anglesey leisure centres (Llangefni, Amlwch, Holyhead and Menai Bridge)

Visits to residential homes will also not be permitted, barring “exceptional circumstances,” affecting the homes at:

• Brwynog, Amlwch
• Plas Mona, Llanfairpwll
• Garreglwyd, Holyhead
• Plas Crigyll, Bryngwran
• Haulfre, Llangoed

A council spokesperson said, “This is not a decision that we have taken lightly; and we would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused. However, the health and wellbeing of our service users and staff must take priority.

“We are currently considering how our staff can be utilised to help respond to the considerable extra demands anticipated for core service areas from next week onwards.

“These are unprecedented times, and we will work hard to ensure that we continue to support the most vulnerable people on the island.”

Earlier the council had announced that direct debits for monthly payment leisure centre customers would be frozen for the time being, but all centres will now remain closed until deemed safe to re-open.

The move will not affect the main county council offices in Llangefni, but the public are being urged to use online and internet services unless “absolutely necessary.”

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter