PLAY spaces, outdoor fitness equipment and skate parks have been closed across Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast in line with Australian government guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday night announced new measures in response to COVID-19 which includes the immediate closure of some public facilities including skate parks and outdoor playgrounds.
New rules now also dictate that public gatherings must not be more than two people, excluding household members.
Central Coast Council's director of environment and planning, Scott Cox, said closing such valued public facilities would greatly impact children and families, but closing them was necessary to protect the community's health during this pandemic.
"Council manages over 260 play spaces and 25 skate parks across out region and by their design are places our community come together to socialise but unfortunately that's what we need to avoid right now," Mr Cox said.
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"Public reserves, shared pathways, boat ramps, public wharves and jetties, sports fields and other outdoor public spaces remain open at this stage, but we urge the community to continue to practice social distancing which includes maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres from others at all times.
"Whilst it is not possible to physically close off all play spaces and skate parks, we ask that our community act responsibly and follow the Australian Government direction to help minimise the spread of COVID-19 on the Central Coast."
In response to the evolving situation with coronavirus, council was continuing to take "measured precautions" to ensure staff and community were kept safe, a spokesperson for the council said.
"Information supplied by NSW Health and federal authorities is monitored daily and council will provide updates to the Central Coast community regularly as information comes to hand," they said.
For the latest details and updates from council in relation to COVID-19 go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
For the latest coronavirus news, updates and advice from the Australian Government go to australia.gov.au
