Covid-19: Wigan council is closing its play parks and limiting access to its greenspaces

The town hall is introducing a series of new measures in a bid to tackle the spread of coronavirus – including reducing the number of visitors accessing crematoriums, and closing care homes to all but essential visitors.

Council leader David Molyneux said that the move is to help keep the town’s ‘most vulnerable residents safe and alive’.

Under the new plans, council-owned play parks will be shut, while visitor facilities and car parks at key leisure destinations, including Haigh Woodland Park and Pennington Flash, will close.

Town hall bosses said the move came after many people gathered in Wigan’s greenspaces this weekend, following government’s announcement on Friday that bars, restaurants and cafes would close.

Wigan council chief executive Alison McKenzie-Foley said: “Over the weekend we saw lots of residents gathering at the borough’s parks and greenspaces, and while we want residents to get outdoors and stay active, going to the same park makes it very difficult to follow the social distancing measures which is why we’ve decided to close parks and limit access to our greenspaces.”

Visitor numbers to crematoriums will also be restricted and Wigan Town Hall will close to the public from tomorrow. All care homes are closed to members of the public, with the exception of essential visitors, such as GPs.

Last week the town hall announced that it would be closing its libraries and leisure centres.

But today it has stepped up the measures in a bid to tackle the spread of Covid-19, which has seen nine confirmed cases in the borough.

Council leader Molyneux said: “To win this fight it’s critical that we all step up and do our bit to stop the spread of the virus.”

To reduce the likelihood of catching Covid-19, all Wigan residents are being told by the council to follow the social distancing guidelines, which include:

Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough.

Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible.

Work from home, where possible.

Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media.

Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services.

If you develop symptoms of Covid-19 (high temperature and/or new and continuous cough), self-isolate at home for 7 days. If you live with others, everyone in the household must self-isolate for 14 days. Do not ring 111 unless your symptoms deteriorate.

More information for Wigan residents on looking after themselves and other during the COVID-19 outbreak can be found on the council’s new Be Kind webpage; www.wigan.gov.uk/bekind

Mari Eccles , Local Democracy Reporting Service