COVID-19: Using Parks Responsibly
29 March - what has changed?
All council-run ball courts, multi-use games areas (MUGAs), outdoor gyms and skate parks will begun to re-open from Monday 29 March as the government’s first of four steps out of the national lockdown restrictions enters its second phase.
It may take a few days to implement these changes, so please bear with us – and don’t use any such equipment or facilities still closed and cordoned off – in the meantime.
Haringey residents and visitors to the borough and our parks will now be able to take part in formally organised, outdoor sports, as long as you have permission from the council to do so.
With the government’s ‘Stay At Home’ guidance ending, residents and visitors to our parks are reminded that – though changes shall be applicable in terms of social contact outdoors – many restrictions will remain in place.
Gatherings of up to 6 people (the ‘Rule of Six’) or 2 households outdoors will be allowed so that families and friends can meet outside more easily.
Remember ‘Hands, Face, Space’ though:
- wash your hands thoroughly throughout the day for 20 seconds at a time
- wear a face covering/mask whenever and wherever applicable and appropriate (especially when it’s not possible to maintain a 2m/6ft social distance)
- maintain a safe distance from people not from your own household.
We know how important our parks and green, open spaces are for our residents’ mental health and wellbeing, and would like to thank everyone who has been using them responsibly.
Step 2 of the Government’s roadmap out of the national lockdown restrictions (external link) won’t come into effect before Monday 12 April, with the four key tests still needing to be met in order to do so.
They are as follows:
- The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully
- Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations an deaths in those vaccinated
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
- The Government’s assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern
For further information regarding the roadmap out of lockdown, visit the government website (external link).
Using parks responsibly
While using the parks, you must follow social distancing guidelines including remaining at least 2 metres away from others at all times, or at least 1 metre when wearing a face mask.
Please respect others' space whilst using the parks, especially during the colder, wetter days when paths are busier due to people not wanting to walk on the muddy ground. Think about wearing appropriate footwear to stray off paths to avoid congested areas.
Dog control
All dogs must be on a lead at all times. This is to ensure it doesn't run off and you have to retrieve it meaning you come within 2 metres of another person.
This decision has been made by working with our legal and enforcement colleagues to look at what legislation we have to support us in encouraging / compelling people to put their dogs on a lead during the coronavirus period.
The current Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) for Dog Control state that officers can require an owner to put their dog on a leash if it is reasonably necessary, in order to prevent the dog from causing a nuisance or disturbance.
Given the need for social distancing, the view has been taken that a roaming dog could cause both a nuisance and a disturbance to others in that its owner could be forced to get closer than two metres away from someone in order to restrain their dog. It is therefore reasonably necessary for officers to enforce a requirement that all dogs are to be kept on a leash.
Gatherings
We are in close contact throughout this period with our enforcement colleagues and the police. Where we know gatherings are taking place, against government guidelines, we will feed this information through to them, and decide what appropriate action is to be taken. If you know of any places within parks where regular gatherings are continuing to take place, please report this directly to the Police on 101 so they can take appropriate action, based on the intelligence they receive.
Sports coaches and personal trainers
Personal training can continue to be provided as a one to one service or to the same household, or social bubble. Sports activities for those with disabilities can also continue. If you are providing any kind of organised fitness training within a park or open space you must inform the council in advance. This is to ensure that the activities being delivered on council land are permissible, safe and effective. Coaches and trainers are able to purchase our Outdoor Physical Activity Delivery Permit which enables providers to conduct commercial sessions in the parks.
Please email get.active@haringey.gov.uk for further details.
