Mar 20, 2020

Town closes public playgrounds to help maintain social distancing

The Town of Ladysmith has made the difficult but necessary decision to close all local playgrounds in our parks as we continue to follow the recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer to promote safe social distancing in our community. 
 
We understand that many parents and caregivers are self-isolating at home with children as we work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19;  Visiting the local playground and getting outside provides a source of activity and healthy break in the day. 
 
However, because our neighbourhood playgrounds are a popular gathering place where children are in close contact, often touching the same recreational equipment, these spaces do not support the recommended two metres for social distancing and may increase the exposure and spread of the COVID-19 virus. 
 
The playground closure applies at the following Ladysmith parks: 
  • Transfer Beach Park 
  • Harbourview Park – Louise Road
  • Davis Road School
  • Brown Drive Park  
  • Root Street Park
  • Frank Jameson Community Centre Skateboard Park
  • Forrest Field
  • Aggie Hall nature playground
Restricting access to community playgrounds as a precautionary health measure does not mean that the Town is closing our parks. 
 
The public is encouraged by the Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry to spend time outside as long as individuals are practicing social distancing, in groups of one or two people at most, and staying a minimum of two metres apart – arms outstretched without being able to touch fingertip to fingertip. 
 
This means finding activities, such as hiking, walking or biking where families and individuals, in small groups, can stay active outside in open spaces. 
 
Activities that involve using equipment such as a Frisbee, basketball or football should only be played among immediate family members and not groups of friends. 
 
The BC Centre for Disease Control recommends the following hygiene practices to keep your family, and our community, healthy: 
 
• Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and water. 
• If a sink is not available, alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHR) can be used to clean hands if they are not visibly soiled. If they are visibly soiled using a wipe and then ABHR is effective. 
• Do not touch your face/eyes/mouth with unwashed hands. 
• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough with a disposable tissue or the crease of your elbow. 
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Regular household cleaning products are effective against most viruses. 
• Stay home if you are sick and away from others so you don’t pass it on
 
Residents can visit the Town's dedicated COVID-19 page on our website for useful information and links to trusted sources of information: https://www.ladysmith.ca/public-safety/public-health/co-vid-19-information.