The Government has announced that from today (Wednesday 13th May) people can spend time outdoors more than once a day, without time limit, for example sitting and enjoying the fresh air, picnicking, sunbathing, or for exercise, as long as they are following social distancing guidelines, either alone, or together with members of their household, or with one person from outside of their household.
In line with published guidance, the Council will today open the tennis courts at Christchurch Park and at Murray Road Recreation Ground, along with the various outdoor multi-use courts that are used for basketball etc in our parks.
We will also allow the fixed goalposts in our parks to be used and people will be allowed to use the fishing lake at Chantry Park. Bowls greens on our sites will be allowed to open with those clubs needing to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed.
Outdoor gyms, playgrounds, skate parks, table tennis tables, public toilets, cafes/ kiosks and Bourne Park paddling pool will remain closed. All of the facilities at our sports centres, both internal and external, will remain closed at this time.
The Council’s Parks Patrol teams will continue to monitor parks and open spaces to advise people to follow social distancing guidelines.
You can meet one other person from outside your household if you are outdoors and you follow social distancing guidelines. Public gatherings of more than two people from different households are prohibited in law. There are no limits on gatherings in the park with members of your household
You can only exercise or play sports on your own, or with up to one person from outside your household or with members of your own household - you should not play team sports and not participate in gatherings where there are two people from different households
If you do, then you should enforce strong hygiene measures. This might be cleaning it rigorously in line with wider guidance on hygiene, for example by using antibacterial spray and washing hands thoroughly before and after each individual use.
Personal training is allowed to resume in outdoor spaces with limited equipment as long as you're following social distancing guidelines, either alone, or together with members of your household, or with one person from outside of your household.
