A message from the Glasshouse said Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and the Glasshouse took their responsibility for the health and well-being of patrons, clients and employees very seriously.

Performances at the Glasshouse have been cancelled until May 3 and The Glasshouse, at this stage, continues to promote and sell tickets to performances scheduled from May 4.

However, as the response to COVID-19 is changing daily, The Glasshouse says it will continue to monitor the situation and act promptly on advice from health officials as well as follow advice from Live Performance Australia, the national peak body for the live performance industry.

The Glasshouse box office will be in contact with ticket-holding patrons for cancelled performances to organise a refund and appreciates people's patience in not calling, given the numbers of patrons and events involved.

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All library programs and activities have been suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus.

This includes activities for children.

The three branch libraries will remain open for now but that could change at short notice.

The library service has increased the maximum loans from 20 to 30 and the number of automatic renewals from two to four, and has removed fines for overdue items.

Cr Justin Levido raised the coronavirus situation as a matter of urgency at the March 18 council meeting.

He said the coronavirus situation was developing so fast.

The meeting was subsequently advised about a range of information including the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on council operations and future monthly meetings.

Acting general manager Jeffery Sharp agreed it was a very fast-moving issue.

The council has formed a critical management team looking at advice from health officials and looking at the council's operations.

The March 8 council meeting went ahead at Wauchope with 89 seats, some of which were not occupied, in the public gallery and hand sanitiser at the door.

Mr Sharp said the rules did not allow for meetings of councils to be done virtually.

Director Dan Bylsma said the Local Emergency Management Committee, as always, was on standby.

Mr Bylsma said the council's focus at the moment was on making sure its operations were able to be provided with a level of continuity.

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