THERE were calls last night for all council-owned leisure centres to be shut with "immediate" effect,
It comes as three more councils announced that leisure facilities will be closed until further notice in response to "concerns surrounding coronavirus", with five local authorities now having taken the decision.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council announced it will close all public buildings, except "where statutory services are to be delivered" such as registations of births, deaths and marriages, household recycling centres and submission of planning and building control applications.
Bin collections are also continuing, but an emergency meeting last night agreed leisure and sports facilities will be closed, all `paid in full' members will have their membership term extended and direct debit memberships suspended.
The decision will be "revisited" on March 30.
In Belfast last night councillors agreed to close leisure centres, the Waterfront and Ulster Halls and St George's Market, although parks and playgrounds will remain open.
The council is arranging for staff to work from home, "where possible", while maintaining critical services including waste collection and cremations and burials.
Attractions including City Hall, Belfast Castle and the zoo had already been closed and sports pitches and pavilions are also shut.
Mid Ulster District Council closed its leisure, sports and cultural centres from 2pm yesterday "until further notice" to faciliatate social distancing.
Council chair Martin Kearney said staff will "report to work as normal" and parks, play areas, open spaces, depots, recycling centres and council offices remain open as normal.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said on Sunday that three of its leisure centres will remain closed.
On Friday, Derry City and Strabane District Council said all council owned and operated buildings - including museums, leisure centres and civic offices - would shut for an initial two-week period.
Darren McNally, a Sinn Féin representative on Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon council, last night called for the "immediate closure of council-owned leisure centres".
Meanwhile, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has suspended face-to-face assessments for all benefits for three months, with assessments to be carried out "by telephone, or by considering medical evidence submitted by post".
