Open play areas, outdoor gyms and equipment in the borough’s parks and open spaces will be taped off from today to help keep residents safe. Havant Borough Council has taken this step in line with national government guidance to help reduce the spread of coronavirus. Striped tape will be displayed across play equipment and outdoor gyms that are not fenced and residents are asked to do their bit and not use the areas. The government has been clear that it is important to stay at home as much as possible to support the NHS. Residents should only leave their homes for the following reasons
- Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.
- One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household.
- Any medical need, including to donate blood, to avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
- Travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home.
If you are exercising outside, please do so responsibly and adhere to social distancing guidelines – which means keep two metres away from others at all times. Residents must not meet in groups of more than two in public places unless they live together, or their job means that they have to. This means playing football, exercising in a group with a personal trainer or having a picnic is not okay. The Leader of Havant Borough Council, Councillor Michael Wilson, said: "We know our parks and open spaces are a lifeline for many of our residents, but they are only open to provide people with areas to exercise. They are not to be used for hosting picnics, BBQs, gatherings or football matches with friends. "Some of our play areas and outdoor gyms are not fenced in, and it has been reported that people are using them. Following guidelines from central Government we are now taping them off to prevent their use."
More from: areas · coronavirus · spread
