Playground closures explained

Statement from the General Manager, Dr Catherine Dale

I would like to explain in more detail the decision to keep playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment closed for the time being.

While there aren’t any active COVID-19 cases in Eurobodalla at the moment, people are now permitted to travel within NSW to visit family and friends. NSW Health reports there are 416 live cases in NSW. 30 new cases have been confirmed in Australia in the past 24 hours. There is still a high risk of infection now that people are moving around New South Wales.

Our priority is to make sure Eurobodalla residents are safe from COVID-19. It is highly infectious. The NSW Premier warned in Friday’s changed restrictions that outdoor playgrounds and exercise equipment should be used with caution.

We can’t guarantee that parents or users of outdoor equipment will wipe the equipment down after each use and we don’t have the resources to do this throughout the shire.

As the Prime Minister, NSW Premier and health professionals have said, it is likely that when restrictions are eased we will have a spike in infections. Now is not the time to be complacent.

Council will review the opening of facilities on a daily basis so that we maintain a balance of community safety and social wellbeing.

In the meantime, the open spaces of our beautiful parks and reserves can be enjoyed for walks, exercise and catching up with friends and family under the guidelines for distancing and gatherings.

Dr Catherine Dale, General Manager Saturday 16 May 2020