Council Plea Again To Stay Home After Groups Still Gather In Parks

Published on: 28 Mar, 2020
Updated on: 31 Mar, 2020

Guildford Borough Council has repeated its appeal for people to stay at home to save lives but pointed an accusatory finger at non-family groups still gathering in some of the parks.

A statement said: “We’d like to say thank you to all of our residents who are diligently following the government guidelines to #stayhomesavelives and only go out for essential groceries and to exercise once a day.

See government advice on social distancing here.

“But we are still seeing people gathering in parks and we again urge residents to only exercise, not socialise, within walking distance of your home.

“We all need to play our part and reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus. Mixing with people outside your household is risking people’s lives. The police have new powers and can fine people gathering in groups if you do not move on when asked to.”

Cllr Caroline Reeves

Council leader Caroline Reeves (Lib Dem, Friary & St Nicolas), said: “We are at a critical stage in the fight to stop the spread of the coronavirus. If you are going out to exercise, only go once a day and either alone or with members of your household.

“Please don’t drive to local beauty spots. Walk to your local park but try to avoid the busiest times, lunchtimes and early evenings.

“All of our playgrounds and outdoor gyms are closed so please do not use them. We understand how difficult this is, especially for children and teenagers no longer at school, college and university and we know as parents how hard this is.

“But if we do not stick to the guidance the virus will spread more quickly, putting our vulnerable groups at further risk and greater pressure on the NHS.”

One person who is asymptomatic for five days and doesn’t practise social distancing can spread the virus to 2.5 people. Those people will infect others and in 30 days 406 people will be infected, all because the first person didn’t observe social distancing.

For all the latest council news go to www.guildford.gov.uk and on Twitter @GuildfordBC