COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information, advice & Council services

For the latest information and advice in relation to coronavirus, COVID-19, please visit the Public Health Agency’s (PHA’s) website.

Posters in 11 languages and coronavirus advice for people with a learning disability are also available on the PHA website.

Up to date information and advice is also available on NI Direct

• Council Services and access to facilities
• Support in your local community
• Advice and support for local businesses
• Other

Community Coordination Hub
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Community Coordination Hub will respond to requests received from the NI Covid-19 Community Helpline to assist residents who may have become isolated and vulnerable due to the impacts of Coronavirus and the associated mitigation measures.

The Hub will work with the local community and voluntary sector to ensure those most at risk will have access to support services such as food, medication, practical and emotional support.

NI Covid-19 Community Helpline:

Freephone 0808 802 0020
Text ACTION to 81025
Email covid19@adviceni.net

Support and advice is available from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, seven days a week

COVID-19 Community Funding
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is providing a substantial funding package to support community-led responses assisting the most vulnerable people as the Coronavirus pandemic continues to affect local communities.

For further information, including eligibility criteria and to apply online please visit the Grants & Bursary section of the Council website. 

Community Planning Partners providing support during COVID-19
We have compiled a list of our Community Planning partner organisations who are offering support across a whole range of sectors as part of the response to COVID-19. Information on what type of support is on offer and how and where you can access details, can be downloaded here.

Community groups providing support during COVID-19
We have compiled a list of organisations that have come forward to offer their support to the most vulnerable in our society. You can download the list here or view on a map of the district.

If your community group or organisation wishes to offer support please contact communitysupport@fermanaghomagh.com and your details will be added.

Priority online shopping slots
If you have been advised to shield (stay at home for 12 weeks) by a medical professional and have no other support to help with shopping, you can register for a priority online slot with Asda, Iceland, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.

Your details will be shared with the Health and Social Care Board who will check you are on the shielding list before your name is passed to the 4 supermarkets. Supermarkets will contact you directly to offer a priority slot. Due to high demand for this service, there is no guarantee that you will be offered a slot.

To register visit the nidirect website.

Food Banks
There is a strong network of Food Banks operating in the district. If you are experiencing financial difficulties and feel you need some support to access food supplies, please contact a local Food Bank who will be able to help you. Click here for more information on Food Banks in the district.

Financial Support
The Covid-19 pandemic is causing a lot of uncertainty and implications for people to access financial help. Click here for more information on organisations who can assist you access the help you need.

Register with us
Register with us so that we can identify the support you need and a package of mentoring advice that is most beneficial to you at this time.

Webinars
A programme of free webinars for businesses is available. For further information and to register click here.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has applied the following measures to its services and facilities to limit the spread of the virus and to focus its resources on delivering essential Council services to residents and ratepayers.

During any closure of a Council building or facility, you can still speak to a member of staff by telephoning the Council on 0300 303 1777 (calls charged at local rate), Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm, or you can email info@fermanaghomagh.com.

You can also perform a number of transactions with us online by visiting the Do It Online section of our website.

Council offices, venues & facilities
The following Council buildings are currently closed to the public. 
– Civic buildings and administrative offices
– Leisure Centres – membership accounts have been frozen and monthly direct debit membership payments have been suspended.
– Arts & cultural venues and visitor attractions – Refunds will be made directly to ticket holders affected by cancellations.
– Community centres

Waste & Recycling
– Gortrush, Omagh; Drummee, Enniskillen; Carrickmore, Kesh, Fintona, Lisnaskea, Newtownbutler and Belleek Recycling Centres are open to the public for the disposal of essential waste only i.e. bagged mixed non-recyclable household waste and bagged garden waste. Please note restrictions apply.

Further information and opening hours of recycling centres is available on the Council website. 

Recycling centres at Gortrush, Omagh and Drummee, Enniskillen will be open on Saturday 6 June 2020 for the disposal of garden and wood waste only.

From Monday 8 June 2020 recycling centres at Gortrush, Omagh; Drummee, Enniskillen; Carrickmore; Kesh; Lisnaskea; Fintona; Newtownbutler and Belleek will begin to accept all waste and recyclable materials as part of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s phased programme of reopening of its recycling centres. Items for disposal may be brought to the recycling centres in cars, trailers and vans.

– Household bin collection service – The household bin collection service continues as normal at present.  Please ensure bins are presented for collection by 7am, bin handles are wiped down and follow official advice on bagging waste if there is someone with suspected or confirmed coronavirus in your household.

– Bulky Waste Collections – suspended until further notice

Parks & Open Spaces
– Play areas, Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs) & Outdoor Gyms – closed to the public until further notice.
– Public parks – remain open to the public.
– Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre car park – closed
– Cuilcagh Boardwalk – closed with no public access permitted.
– Car parks at Ely Lodge, Castle Archdale, Lough Navar, Castle Caldwell and Killykeegan have reopened to the public. Toilets, visitor amenities and play parks will remain closed at this time. No mobile food vendors will be permitted at the sites.
– Car parks at Gortin Glen Forest Park car parks have reopened.  Toilets, visitor amenities and play parks will remain closed at this time. No mobile food vendors will be permitted at the sites.
– Drumacritten Lough, Lough Acrussel, Lough Barry,  Lough Inver, Lough Lea, Lough Nayre, Lough Unshinagh and Lyons Lough have reopened to anglers.

When using any outdoor recreation site, park or pathway for the period of daily exercise, the public must:

Council organised events
Council organised or supported events due to take place up until 31 August 2020 have been postponed or cancelled.

Public conveniences
Currently closed to the public.

Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships

Birth Registrations
An appointment only birth registration service will resume from the 11 May 2020.

To make an appointment email registrar@fermanaghomagh.com or phone 028 8225 6212  0r 028 6634 2428.

Death Registrations
From 27 March 2020, until further notice, death registrations will be carried out without the need to attend the local registration office. Bereaved relatives will be contacted by the Registrar or their Funeral Director. Please email registrar@fermanaghomagh.com or phone 028 8225 6212 0r 028 6634 2428 if you require advice.

Civil Ceremonies
For up to date information and guidance on civil ceremonies please visit the Registration section of the Council website. 

Cemeteries
Cemeteries operated by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council are open to the public, however will be closed to visitors during funeral services and burials.

Building Control
Building Control offices are closed until further notice however is providing a limited service. Building Control continues to respond to any Dangerous Structure. Further information is available on the Building Control section of the Council website. 

Planning
The Planning offices are currently closed, new applications can still be submitted but due to limited access to the planning portal they cannot be processed until the offices are open again. 

Council operated off street car parks
Parking charges at Council operated off street car parks are suspended until further notice.

Housing Guidance for Private Rented Landlords & Tenants
COVID-19 Housing Guidance for Private Rented Landlords & Tenants is available to download.

Rates
The Minister of Finance announced the NI Executive budget for 2020/21 which includes a freeze on domestic regional rate for 2020/21 and a reduction of 18% on the non-domestic rate for businesses along with a 3 month rates holiday for businesses.