Play areas in Shropshire to remain closed while we make them safe

As we slowly move out of lockdown, the Government recently announced the easing of further restrictions from Saturday 4 July 2020, which included allowing play areas to reopen where safe to do so.

After careful consideration of the practicalities around reopening play areas in a safe way, Shropshire Council has decided that play areas will remain closed to protect residents, communities and staff.

Shropshire Council is responsible for the management of 52 play areas right across the county. This makes it a difficult task to regularly clean high contact surfaces at play areas and follow Government guidance.

We are working hard with our public health services to develop measures that will help to minimise the risk to public safety and enable us to re-open play areas as soon as safely possible.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture, leisure, waste and communications, said:

“We appreciate that this will be disappointing for many families and it’s not a decision that we have taken lightly.

“Our top priority throughout the coronavirus pandemic has been to protect people’s health and safety and to help slow the spread of the virus. When we are confident that we can safely re-open play areas, we will do so.

“Until then, we ask people bear with us and to respect the ongoing closure.”

While play areas will remain closed, Shropshire’s stunning countryside is open for you to visit.

Shropshire’s countryside has been a lifeline to people across the county during the lockdown. You can find sites to visit by going to www.shropshiresgreatoutdoors.co.uk where you will discover the vast number of places to see and visit through Shropshire.

When visiting Shropshire’s countryside, please make sure you respect the areas and behave responsibly so everyone can enjoy safely. For more information, see the countryside code.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the Shropshire Council website.