SOUTH Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils have closed their offices as a result of the worsening Covid-19 pandemic.

The authorities took the decision to shut their public building and reception in Milton Park yesterday afternoon.

The councils’ phone lines will remain open, but anybody that needs to contact staff is encouraged to go online first or use email as this is likely to be quicker and will help the councils respond to those most in need first, during this difficult time.

It was revealed that all council meetings scheduled to take place in April have also been postponed.

ALSO READ: Pupils go to school in prom clothes on last day before closures

A spokesperson for the local authorities said that more staff and resources have been committed to coordinate volunteers and community groups to ensure that vulnerable and hard-to-reach people hit the worst in the outbreak receive additional support.

Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council councillor Sue Cooper said: "It is a challenge balancing our responsibilities towards protecting our services to the public while preventing the spread of the virus and protecting public health.

"Closing the building is a sensible precaution to take, but the good news is we are still very much open for business.

"We are now putting more emphasis on providing more direct support to organisations working in the community that are helping those most at need."