BBC News Tyne & Wear

A reduced timetable is in operation on the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Nexus is also reminding people only to make essential journeys.

Leaflets about the coronavirus crisis are being sent to more than 120,000 homes in Sunderland.

The city council wants everyone to know where to get help and is also calling for more volunteers to assist during the lockdown.

Sandra Mitchelll, from the council's community resilience team, said that anyone who could help would make a big difference.

She said: "These acts of community kindness could in the coming weeks make a real difference to many, many people and help keep vulnerable people safe, well and out of hospital."

Police and council staff in North Tyneside are out and about today in an effort to drive home the government's coronavirus measures.

And they have urged people "not to get complacent".

Sun-seekers in North Tyneside appear to have followed government advice to stay at home.

This picture was taken at Tynemouth's Longsands beach earlier and shows a largely deserted shoreline below the crisp blue sky.

However, a number of surfers did take to the water.

PA Media

Northumbria Police officers have been patrolling the town's streets on horseback as officials try to drive home the message for people to stay at home to help slow the spread of Covid-19.

PA Media

All council-run park and seafront car parks in Sunderland have been shut as the authority bids to deter visitors during the coronavirus outbreak.

The closures, which will be in place for the "foreseeable future", come amid fears people will travel to beauty spots this weekend and over Easter with warm weather and sunshine anticipated.

Fiona Brown, from Sunderland City Council, said: "Our parks and beaches all remain open, but we are taking this action to discourage people from travelling to them by car in line with government advice that people should not be making unnecessary journeys.

"Although most residents have been acting very responsibly, there have been issues with a large number of people driving to parks and the city’s beaches.

"We have also had reports that some children have been using the play areas, which no-one should be doing at the moment because all play areas are currently closed due to the need for social distancing to minimise the risk of the virus spreading."

Sunderland City Council