Playgrounds closed during Alert Level 4

As we are now in a national State of Emergency and have moved to Alert Level 4, Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management is underscoring the importance of understanding what isolation means in a day-to-day sense.

For our children and families, this includes no play time on our local playgrounds.

“Around the maunga our children’s playgrounds are now off limits,” says Craig Campbell-Smart, the region’s Civil Defence Emergency Management group controller.

“Playgrounds are classed as an area where people congregate and so we urge people to follow the rules and steer clear of these public spaces.”

“We know this might be difficult for our children, but it’s important for our families to understand the additional risk of contact with public surfaces such as play equipment. We want our families to stay safe and stay active, just not at these high contact areas.”

“While the playgrounds won’t be physically cordoned off, we ask everyone to respect this rule and stay off any public play equipment,” Craig says.

Over the coming weeks, for as long as New Zealand remains at Alert Level 4, people must only spend time with those who they are in self-isolation with and keep a minimum distance of two metres away from all others - anyone from outside your isolated household group - at all times.

Exercise is good for people’s mental health, and the Government’s advice is that people can go for a walk, run, or bike ride, but if you do it must be solitary, or with those you live with.

“The message is simple. Alert level 4 requires us to stay home, stay away from others, and stay safe,” Craig said.

The most up to date information on COVID-19 is on www.covid19.govt.nz.

For information on the public health measures in place under Alert Level 4, visit: https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-level/

For all Ministry of Health updates visit www.health.govt.nz/covid-19 and for Taranaki DHB updates visit www.tdhb.org.nz.

For the latest Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management updates, visit our website www.cdemtaranaki.govt.nz and Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management Facebook page