Council staff have been told to minimise their contact with vulnerable people.
But the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) said wide-scale closure of council-owned facilities would do more harm than good.
In a joint statement about Covid-19, Northern Ireland Local Government Association and SOLACE said “enhanced cleaning” was being undertaken at council-owned facilities.
David Jackson, SOLACE chief executive, said they were taking their lead from the Public Health Agency of Northern Ireland.
He said: “We are following the scientific evidence-based advice; currently it is considered that wide-scale closure of facilities would be more harmful than beneficial because this could lead to a subsequent spike of cases that overstretches health resources.
“If facilities do close, we will look to redeploy staff, including agency staff, into other service areas or facilities, subject to the virus risk assessment.”
NILGA said councils would focus on core services like waste collection and disposal, registration, and burials.
But they said staff shortages were likely to affect services.
In a statement, the organisation said: “At some point, parental caring and home working, along with those ill and self-isolating, will significantly reduce the workforce and affect services. Councils are dynamically considering their approach to enabling parental leave in the event of schools’ closures.”
Derek McCallan, NILGA chief executive, said councils would maximise use of phones and online services.
He said: “The priority, as always in a civil contingency situation, is to reduce the threat to life for more vulnerable people. To that end council staff are being asked to minimise contact with those who are potentially more susceptible, providing service and advice by phone.”
Belfast City Council will hold a special meeting today. The council has already closed Belfast Zoo, the Tropical Ravine and Palm House in Botanic Gardens, as well as pitches and pavilions, until further notice.
It’s yet to make a decision on leisure centres.
Mid and East Antrim will hold a special meeting on Wednesday night.
