In a decision made to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Melbourne city council has closed all public libraries and recreation centres as of yesterday, Monday March 16.
The list of libraries now closed includes City Library in Flinders Lane, Kathleen Syme in Carlton, Library at The Dock in Docklands, East Melbourne, North Melbourne and Southbank Library at Boyd.
Recreation centres which are currently closed include Melbourne City Baths, Kensington Recreation Centre, Carlton Baths and North Melbourne Recreation Centre. The council has also made the call to temporarily close arts and cultural venues including Meat Market, Signal, ArtPlay and Arts House (this excludes artists’ studios).
The above venues will remain closed until Tuesday, March 31, and there is a possibility that this closure could be extended further.
In addition, the services of the 400-strong brigade of ‘red coat’ ambassadors, whom you’ve like spotted around the city sporting red shirts and useful information about Melbourne, have been suspended until further notice.