Coronavirus: Wigan Council to restrict access to public parks during Covid-19 outbreak

The town hall issued a statement on social media saying many had been spotted still going to parks and green spaces in the borough, despite the Government warning against all but essential travel as the virus spreads across the region. The council added that it would be restricting the number of people visiting beauty spots such as Haigh Woodland Park in order to help cull the virus.

On its Facebook page, the council said: "Despite advice regarding social distancing we're still seeing lots of people heading to the same parks and greenspaces in the borough. We know staying indoors on a nice sunny day isn't ideal but it will help to save lives. So please be kind and stay at home.

"Please note we will be restricting the number of visitors to key parks. For more information and guidance about social distancing please visit: www.wigan.gov.uk/bekind".

The Council later added: “To be clear this doesn't mean you can't go outside. Feel free to sit in the garden, go for a walk in your local area, but avoid places where there are lots of people as it will be difficult to stick to the social distancing measures. For example, Haigh Woodland Park, Pennington Flash.