Public services are being hit for a second time as the nation enters the latest coronavirus lockdown.

Household waste centres in Medway will remain open unlike in the first lockdown but some council services and buildings like leisure centres have been closed.

Scroll down to see how services are affected

Many essential services will continue including bin collections, registry offices, social care services and libraries are operating a click and collect system.

The changes have been made in line with the new government restrictions introduced at midnight after MPs voted to approve the measures yesterday afternoon.

Council leader Cllr Alan Jarrett (Con) said: "We all face another vital time during this ongoing pandemic and, although both residents and businesses might be feeling concerned by a second lockdown, it remains extremely important that everyone plays their part to help stop the spread of this deadly virus.

"We remain committed to doing all we can to support both our residents and businesses during the next phase of this challenging year, including supporting those most in need of financial help.

"Whilst some of our services have been affected by the new national restrictions, we will continue to provide essential council services for our residents, deliver some services in other ways such as online, and do all we can to support and protect the most vulnerable members of our community.

"Medway’s fantastic community spirit has shone through throughout the pandemic and we have all seen the strength and resilience of our community this year.

"We must all continue to work together in the coming weeks to protect our loved ones and each other."

Director of public health at Medway Council James Williams said the community had a vital role to "protect Medway and our local NHS services".

He added: “The coming weeks will be challenging for us all and it is important everyone takes time to look after their mental wellbeing. I would also encourage residents to safely stay in touch with their family and friends, by telephone or online contact.

"Anyone who has new coronavirus symptoms is urged to book a test as soon as possible and self-isolate."

How services in Medway are changing in the second lockdown

Sports centres

Medway Council’s sports centres closed to the public from 9pm on Wednesday, November 4, in line with government guidelines.

Medway Park, Strood and Hoo sports centres will reopen after lockdown, unless further government restrictions are put in place.

Splashes in Rainham will remain closed while it undergoes a £5 million redevelopment.

All gym memberships will be frozen automatically, and annual memberships and admission passes will be extended.

No refunds will be made for memberships. If members decide to cancel their direct debit, they can restart at the current prices when centres reopen.

Tourism and heritage attractions

The Visitor Information Centre in Rochester, including Rochester Art Gallery, the Guildhall Museum and Upnor Castle will all close from November 5. Rochester Castle will remain closed for ongoing maintenance work.

Eastgate House in Rochester, Temple Manor in Strood and the Old Brook Pumping Station in Chatham will also remain closed.

Culture and Community

The Brook Theatre in Chatham will close to small dance and drama classes, meetings and rehearsals from November 5 and The Central Theatre in Chatham will remain closed.

Residents will still be able to buy theatre tickets for future shows online, including next year’s Panto, and browse future shows for a Christmas present at medwayticketslive.co.uk or by phoning the box office on 01634 338338.

Libraries

Residents can use Medway Libraries’ click and collect service to reserve books for collection at all of Medway’s 15 libraries and community hubs. Residents can also collect recycling bags from all of Medway’s libraries.

Residents can also use the click and collect service to purchase daily parking vouchers which can be collected from Gillingham, Rochester, Chatham, Strood, Twydall Rainham and Luton libraries. Parking vouchers can also be purchased by calling the Parking Services Team on 01634 332266.

Medway Libraries has a fantastic online collection of eBooks, eMagazines, eNewspapers and eComics. If you’re not already a member of Medway libraries you can join online and borrow eBooks immediately.

• For more information visit medway.gov.uk/libraries

Medway Archives Centre

Medway Archives Centre will be closed from November 5.

Medway Adult Education

The council’s adult education team will be in touch with those booked onto courses to make arrangements, as many courses will move to online learning.

Children’s services

Medway’s Children and Family Hubs will continue to run virtual activity sessions such as baby, bounce and rhyme will continue. For more information visit medway.gov.uk/familyhubs

Medway Youth Service will continue to offer online group activities for young people aged 11 to 18 (and up to 25 for those with additional needs) including drawing, Minecraft, anime, media and filmmaking, Dungeons and Dragons style roleplaying games as well as general fun and games sessions. For more information, visit medway.gov.uk/youth

Schools and academies across Medway will remain open, in line with government advice.

Medway Register Office

Although our registration service will stay open, Medway Register Office will close for weddings from November 5. Council staff have contacted residents who were due to get married or have civil partnership ceremony at the register office during the national lockdown to reschedule.

Medway Crematorium and cemeteries

Medway crematorium and the council cemeteries in Maidstone Road, Chatham, Woodlands Road, Gillingham, Maidstone Road, Rochester and Cuxton Road, Strood will remain open for mourners, funeral services and for the scattering of ashes only.

Parking

There will be no change to Medway’s parking services. Residents can order parking vouchers using Medway Libraries’ click and collect service, or by calling the Parking Services Team on 01634 332266.

Environmental services

The Household Waste and Recycling Centres in Capstone, Chatham, Hoath Way, Gillingham and in Cuxton will remain open. Visitors are reminded to book before they visit - medway.gov.uk/tipbooking

Household waste and recycling collections will continue as normal.

• Residents can check their normal collection day by visiting medway.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling

Parks and greenspaces

Medway’s greenspaces and play areas will remain open. However, outdoor gyms will be closed from November 5 in line with government advice.

Snodhurst Bottom pitch and putt in Walderslade Road will remain closed until April.

Public health services

Public health services such as the Man v Fat football group, Nordic walking, cycling groups and walking groups will be postponed during lockdown. However, residents can access a range of virtual support services including advice on quitting smoking, healthy way and alcohol support services.

• For more information visit medway.gov.uk/abettermedway

The council says it will continue to follow the latest government advice and provide service updates the council’s social media channels on Twitter and Facebook and visit medway.gov.uk/coronavirus

Full government advice on businesses, shops and venues that will be closed is available at the gov.uk website

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway