SALISBURY City Council has closed the gates to its playgrounds in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus.

However, the surrounding open spaces will still be available to public for daily exercise and the allotments will also still be open for use as long as two metre social distancing rules are followed.

The review of the city council's operations, it says, comes following the announcement on Monday (March 23) by the government to impose strict new measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

It said: "The Grounds Team have secured the gates at all the city’s playgrounds to prevent public access and respectfully request that residents adhere to guidelines prohibiting use of these over the next three weeks. Surrounding open spaces are still available and represent a lovely location to take daily exercise and allotments are still open for use within the two metre social distancing rules. Waste will still be collected from our parks and from the bins around the city centre."

The coach park toilets will be available for public use but all other city centre toilets are closed with immediate effect.

And the charter market on Tuesdays and Saturdays has been closed for three weeks over social distancing concerns.

Car parks are open as usual.

Salisbury Information Centre will remain staffed during weekdays for telephone calls, but the city council says there will be "limited capacity" to answer calls and residents are advised to email info@salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk for all enquiries.

Shopmobility has also closed.

New guidelines are also in place at the crematorium with gatherings being limited to ten attendees who should be close or immediate family.

Face-to-face council meetings have also been suspended and this year's mayor making has been suspend until May next year, which means Councillor John Walsh will remain mayor with Councillor Caroline Corbin as deputy mayor.

The leader of Salisbury City Council, Councillor Jeremy Nettle, said: “I am very grateful that Cllr John Welsh has agreed to carry on the Mayor of the City of Salisbury in these extraordinary circumstances that we find ourselves in. With the backing of the deputy mayor, Cllr Caroline Corbin, and all the city councillors, the council will be able to help our community look after each other and offer support wherever we can. I am grateful too to all the staff of the city council too for pulling together in these difficult times”

Salisbury City Council says it "strongly recommends" that social distancing is strictly adhered to and that people refrain from making any non-essential journeys as instructed by the government.

Anyone needing assistance visit salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk where information can be found on local community groups or email info@salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk