Cessnock City Council today announced that all public barbecues, children's playgrounds, outdoor gyms, skateparks, and a number of public toilets will be closed effective Friday, March 27.

Earlier this week, council closed its administration building, Hunter Valley Visitor Centre and Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries.

Cessnock City Council has announced more changes to its operations in response to the developing coronavirus situation.

As the situation continues to change, council will monitor and respond to any potential impacts on its services.

As a result of the Federal Government's announcements overnight, council has made the following decisions:

- Cessnock Performing Arts Centre has temporarily closed and a number of performances have been postponed to a later date. Box office staff are working tirelessly to contact ticket holders impacted by changes. The box office can be contacted on 4993 4266 and updated information will be posted on the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre website and Facebook.

- The Cessnock Youth Centre has temporarily closed however council's Youth Team is engaging with young people via social media and will be trialling virtual drop-in. The Youth Services Team can be contacted on 4993 4357.

- Face-to-face services at the Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries will be suspended effective from 5pm on Tuesday. The 24/7 e-Branch remains open and the Cessnock City Library Facebook page includes a demonstration for how to access e-magazines, e-books, e-films and e-music. For help in accessing the 24/7 e-Branch, library staff can be contacted on 4993 4399. Council is also looking at options to provide a "take-away" style service during the closure.

- Marthaville Arts and Cultural Centre has temporarily closed.

- Kurri Kurri Aquatic and Fitness Centre is closed. For more information visit kurrikurriafc.com.au or call 4937 1362.

- Cessnock Civic Indoor Sports Centre is closed.

Council's general manager Lotta Jackson said the situation continues to change and council continues to respond.

"We are working to ensure we make decisions in the best interest of the community and that are in line with all restrictions announced," Ms Jackson said.

"Local government has an important role to play, as does every individual in our community. Please, we ask that everyone in our community adheres to social distancing. These are vital and simple measures that we should all be implementing into our daily lives."

As reported earlier, council has already closed several public toilets, sporting facilities, parks and community halls to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Cessnock City Council has closed a number of public toilets, sporting facilities, parks and community halls to help 'slow the spread' of COVID-19 and to prioritise the wellbeing of council staff, volunteers and the community.

Council is continuing to closely monitor the ongoing situation relating to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), in particular any and all advice from the Australian Government and NSW Department of Health.

All bookings for parks, sport and recreation areas in the LGA have been suspended as of Friday, March 20. Groups that will be affected by these closures are being notified.

Several community halls have also been closed (see the full list below).

As of Friday afternoon, Cessnock Pool, Kurri Kurri Aquatic and Fitness Centre, and Branxton Pool were to remain open - however, the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was preparing to announce the shutdown of all of the state's non-essential services at a national cabinet meeting on Sunday night.

Cessnock's parks and sporting fields remain open to the public for passive recreational use, however access to amenities such as public toilets will be limited.

As reported last week, the coronavirus crowd bans have affected a number of events at council-run venues, including Youth Week, programs at Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries and shows at Cessnock Performing Arts Centre.

Facilities that have been closed include:

Public Toilets

Community Halls

Sporting Facilities