The coronavirus pandemic is likely to affect Harrow Council for “at least 18 months” according to its chief executive.

Sean Harriss told a council cabinet meeting last week that the ongoing crisis is “not a short-term emergency” and problems could lie ahead for at least another year and a half.

He added that the council is preparing for a second wave of issues, which could arise once lockdown measures are eased across the borough.

“Most commentators believe we will be in some form of situation relating to coronavirus for 18 months with different waves and phases within that,” he said.

“The council needs to remain very focused to ensure we can plan over that period, but also build in all the aspects of recovery that is necessary.

“Recovery of the organisation, support for the community and local businesses and using our borough plan in order to drive that process.”

He explained that the council is operating in an emergency situation and that these measures will remain in place “for some weeks to come”.

And he noted that it hopes to restart as many services as possible – in line with government guidance – and will relay the situation to cabinet at meetings in June and July.

Harrow – like local authorities across the country – was forced to suspend some services and prioritise key ones in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

It recently re-opened its recycling centre and started the delayed garden waste collections.

And while tennis courts have re-opened following lockdown measures, some park restrictions remain in place.