Playgrounds can open, Professor Spurrier tells councils
South Australia’s chief medical officer has told local leaders it’s safe to open the playgrounds – but kids and parents will still need to follow some important rules. READ HER LETTER
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Thousands of South Australian children are expected to flock to playgrounds and skate parks this week, with the state’s chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, saying it is now safe to do so.
She has written to SA’s 68 councils to implore them to reopen the public play spaces to “further contribute to the health and wellbeing of our children”.
The Local Government Association has vowed to help councils reopen sites safely.
Premier Steven Marshall said the easing of restrictions would send a clear message to the community that life was getting closer to normality.
Hundreds of playgrounds across the state have been off-limits after Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in late March, suggested their closure as part of a broad crackdown on public gatherings.
In a letter obtained by the Sunday Mail, Prof Spurrier has given councils the green light to remove the shackles.
“Done safely, I strongly believe that the reopening of parks and playgrounds will send a message to our community that our collective efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 have been worthwhile,” the letter said.
“This, coupled with the opening of our schools, will further contribute to the health and wellbeing of our children.
“Currently in SA, cases of COVID-19 have been sustained at very low levels, and there is no current evidence of community transmission.
“As a result, the risk of COVID-19 transmission for outdoor park playground equipment is low and can be managed by following important social-distancing and hygiene precautions.”
The LGA’s executive director of public affairs, Lisa Teburea, said that following Mr Morrison’s March 30 call, councils were encouraged to temporarily close playgrounds and gym equipment.
“So far, the closure of playgrounds has not been mandated … and is not being enforced by SAPOL,” Ms Teburea said.
“However, many councils have undertaken a risk assessment and decided to close their playgrounds based on concerns around hygiene and their capacity to ensure compliance with social-distancing requirements.
“Now that SA Health have advised it is safe to open playgrounds again, we will work with them to support councils to reopen all these facilities safely.
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“This will include understanding additional cleaning processes and the need to install new social-distancing signage at playgrounds as recommended by the State Government.”
Prof Spurrier defended the councils handling of parks at the time.
“Now that COVID-19 cases in SA remain at very low levels, these important facilities can be safely enjoyed again,” she said in the letter.
Prof Spurrier urged councils to adopt a raft of measures, including clear signage and more regular cleaning at times of high usage.
Signage reinforcing social-distancing rules of 1.5m and gatherings of 10 or fewer children at any one time should also be clearly displayed, she said.
Magill mother Charlotte Reimer said her children – Chelsea, 3, and Brucey, 6 – would be very keen to get back to their local playgrounds.
“Kids have been the real heroes through all of this,” she said.
“They have not been complaining at all. But they will be very excited to be able to go back to the playground.”
