New York Metropolis Playgrounds Closed As a result of Coronavirus

On Wednesday April 1, Governor Cuomo ordered the closure of all New York Metropolis playgrounds because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The restriction applies to all gated play areas, however to not the encompassing parks, which can keep open. Some mother and father lamented the restriction on outside play house, whereas others believed the order was lengthy overdue.

Previous to this official closure, indicators had been posted at playground entrances saying, “CAUTION: Playgrounds haven’t been sterilized; play at your personal threat.” The indicators urged folks to interact in social distancing by staying a minimum of six ft aside. Nevertheless, this guideline proved troublesome to watch and even more durable to implement.

Governor Cuomo mentioned, “I warned folks that in the event that they didn’t cease the density and the video games within the playgrounds — you may’t play basketball, you may’t are available in contact with one another — that we’d shut the playgrounds.”

Mark D. Levine, the Chair of the New York Metropolis Council Well being Committee referred to as the order a “troublesome — however mandatory — transfer.” He added that “The closure doesn’t embody parks outdoors of playgrounds. These are nonetheless vital as locations for solo train. However this can be very vital that you just stay six ft away from anybody not in your family.”

The day earlier than Cuomo’s announcement, Mayor Invoice De Blasio had mentioned he’d be closing down ten playgrounds the place folks weren’t adhering to social distancing guidelines. “Playgrounds that had crowding a number of occasions, they are going to be shut down,” he mentioned. Nevertheless, because the New York demise toll from COVID-19 rose to 1,941 on Wednesday, most individuals agreed that Governor Cuomo was proper in his choice to have all New York Metropolis playgrounds closed.

In reality, many individuals have been stunned that it took him so lengthy to take action. One Twitter consumer wrote, “Even right here in Melbourne, the place only some folks have died, they closed the playgrounds every week in the past.” One other expressed shock that even Oklahoma closed its playgrounds earlier than a viral hotspot like New York Metropolis.

Whereas most individuals agreed that the order was overdue, they have been additionally sympathetic to kids who now lacked an outside play space. One Twitter consumer mentioned the brand new restrictions can be “Actually powerful on children and caretakers.” Others mentioned, that they have been “appalled” this step wasn’t taken earlier, however have been forcing themselves to do not forget that, “The overwhelming majority of these children in all probability don’t have yards to play in.”

The excellent news for New York households is that metropolis parks, reminiscent of Prospect Park and Central Park, stay open. Nevertheless, because the climate will get hotter and increasingly New Yorkers step outdoors their residences, the parks will possible grow to be extra crowded. It might grow to be troublesome if not unimaginable to keep up the six foot social distancing rule. Due to that, many advocates are calling for the Mayor to shut down metropolis streets and create protected, uncrowded areas for households to spend time outdoors.

Transportation Alternate options, an advocacy group for biking, strolling and public transit in New York Metropolis, mentioned in a press release: “With the closure of two,067 playgrounds, each neighborhood within the metropolis is shedding vital open house…Simply as each household in New York deserves entry to a close-by playground in peculiar occasions, this disaster calls for speedy motion to create an in depth community of emergency open streets, accessible to extra New Yorkers.”

Click on right here for concepts on how you can have enjoyable with children this weekend with out ever leaving the home!