Playgrounds and parks face closure, as people ignore social distancing

It follows reports in the press and photographs of families socialising in large numbers with others outside in parks, and outdoor spaces such as Clapham Common and Primrose Hill in London, over the weekend.

Cardiff Council has closed all play areas to the public and warned that it could close parks as well, if people fail to observe social distancing.

A spokesperson for the council said, ‘The risk of transmission from child to child on play equipment is thought to represent too great a risk to the public as we seek to slow the transmission of Covid-19.’

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough has also closed all its public parks and play areas.

Yesterday, Essex County Council announced it would be closing all country parks in the county from 8pm.

The council tweeted the announcement and said that the measure was 'necessary to ensure social distancing and limit the spread of coronavirus'.

The council operates nine parks in the county, including Weald Country Park and Thorndon Country Park, with the Gruffalo trail.

The deputy chief medical officer Jenny Harries has stressed the importance of maintaining physical and mental health.

In the prime minister's press conference on Friday, in response to a question about whether children should play together or go on play dates, she said that social distancing applies to children, as well as the rest of us.

She explained that children within families would have the same sort of exposure risk, so it was perfectly ok for them to play together.

For children playing outside together, there was a safety and safeguarding issue, so there should be appropriate supervision. For example, children should stay two metres apart on a bike ride.

She also said that children should have their own equipment and wash their hands regularly.

‘I very much want children to be exercising, but not in groups. Exercising is fine, but cut right down on social connections'.

In an interview on the BBC this morning health secretary Matt Hancock said that people who are still socialising are ‘very selfish’.

Asked on the Today programme why people are defying Government guidelines, he said, ‘I don’t know because it is very selfish. The consequence of that costs lives and it means for everyone this will go on for longer …

‘It is incredibly important that people stay more than two metres away from others wherever they are or stay at home wherever possible. 

‘It’s important people get exercise but they should do it staying away from others.’

Sir Keir Starmer, the favourite in the Labour leadership contest, said ministers should provide an update in this afternoon’s press conference and impose tougher social distancing restrictions, and explain why if they do not.

In a statement he said, ‘Labour has supported the social distancing measures that have been introduced.

'However, in these extraordinary times, the Government must now set out further compliance measures, such as those introduced in other countries. These are vital days in the battle against the coronavirus. Any additional measures should sit alongside a national plan of action to support people to cope, including the most vulnerable and the self-employed.’

He added, ’These decisions are not easily made, but they are now necessary. We all have a duty to do what we can to protect the nation’s health and to save people’s lives. I hope the Government will act.’