Council issues update on services following end of two week ‘circuit-breaker’ restrictions 

Following the easing of the two-week ‘circuit-breaker’ restrictions introduced by the NI Executive on 27 November 2020 to help curb the spread of Covid-19, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council will reopen a number of its facilities from Friday 11 December 2020, in line with new restrictions.

From tomorrow (Friday), the fitness suites at the Council’s four leisure centres – Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown; Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea; Fermanagh Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen and Omagh Leisure Complex – as well as the swimming pools at Fermanagh Lakeland Forum and Omagh Leisure Complex, will reopen for individual use. The major sports halls at Fermanagh Lakeland Forum and Omagh Leisure Complex will not be available to book until further notice however the outdoor sports facilities at the four leisure centres will be available for booking from December 11.

All leisure activities and facilities must be booked in advance online at leisure.fermanaghomagh.com or by contacting the leisure centre directly.

The Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre will then reopen to the public on Saturday 12 December.

This will be the first time the Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre will be open over the winter period, with visitor information, toilet and shop facilities available each day. There will also be a winter programme of family friendly events and activities running throughout the season. For further information please visit www.marblearchcaves.co.uk or telephone 028 6632 1815.

Public access to the Connect Centres at County Buildings, Enniskillen and Strule House, Omagh and The Grange, Omagh remain​s by appointment only.

Registration services continue as before; strictly by appointment for births, marriages and civil partnership registrations while death registrations will be carried out without the need to attend the local registration office and can be completed over the telephone. Bereaved relatives will be contacted by the Registrar or their Funeral Director.

Enniskillen Castle will reopen on Monday 4 January 2021.

All other Council services and facilities continue to operate as before however this may be subject to change at short notice due to the fast-changing situation in relation to Covid-19 or operational requirements on Council critical services.

Speaking about the reopening of its facilities in line with restrictions, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Diana Armstrong, said:

“The health and wellbeing of our staff and members of the public remains our priority and we continue to deliver our services in line with restrictions and with additional measures in place so that people feel safe.

Council staff have continued to work hard over the last number of weeks to ensure that the delivery of critical services, such as waste and recycling and registration services, continued unhindered. They have also continued to provide information and support to our local communities and businesses during these challenging times.

While we are undoubtedly making progress in the battle to curb the spread of coronavirus with the roll out of the vaccination programme earlier this week, we are not there yet and we all must continue to follow the guidance to limit the spread of Covid-19 within the district.

As we approach the festive season, I urge everyone to play their part to keep themselves and each other safe by keeping their distance from others, wearing a face covering where necessary, washing or sanitising hands regularly and by staying at home if they or anyone in their household has Covid-19 symptoms and to book a test.”

To keep up to date with Council services and access to facilities and venues please visit the Council website at www.fermanaghomagh.com, follow the Council’s social media channels @fermanaghomagh or telephone the Council on 0300 303 1777 (calls charged at local rate) Monday – Friday 9am-5pm.

For up-to-date information on current Covid-19 restrictions and regulations visit www.nidirect.gov.uk and for public health advice visit the PHA website at www.publichealth.hscni.net.