The Council has said that it will be working with the borough's ''rough sleepers services" to help vulnerable people who may be living on Richmond's streets.

Glass Door Shelter and Vineyard Community Centre – a services provider for both homeless and vulnerable people in Richmond, have also said that some services will continue to run and that it will continue to monitor the advice provided by Public Health England.

A Spokesperson for Richmond Council said: "We are working with our rough sleeper services to ensure the needs of rough sleepers can be met during this time.

"The Council will be providing emergency accommodation for rough sleepers with underlying conditions or who may be symptomatic.

"We are co-ordinating our actions to ensure we are sharing information and working in the best interests of all involved."

Glass Door announced that its shelters would continue to operate but would no longer night-time shelter to new guests in a bid to follow government guidelines.

The charity is currently looking at what else can be done should more people need access to temporary accommodation in the evenings.

In the meantime, it will continue to remain open during the day and continue to support guests until it had been given further instructions from health and government officials.

Glass Door said it has also stepped up its cleaning regimens and has increased its supply of hand sanitisers in vans that move between shelters.

Fiona Brennan, of Vineyard Community Centre said: "We provide a drop-in-session service for homeless people and women who have experienced domestic violence.

"Our service provides clients with breakfasts, a community nurse, hairdressers and case workers to help them with their issues.

"Due to the coronavirus scare - we have had to close the centre but we will be provided food and drink to people, seven days a week and, we will continue the service in regards to case working but people are only allowed inside of the building one person at a time."