Warning over parks if rules are not met

Councils have warned they will be forced to shut public parks as a last resort if people keep breaking social distancing rules.

The outdoor spaces are recognised as a "lifeline" for many, but councils will be "reluctantly forced to close them" should measures be flouted by the public, the Local Government Association said.

The warning came after a senior minister urged councils not to close parks unless it is "impossible" to maintain social distancing in them.

Housing and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said yesterday that he had called local leaders to warn them to be "very judicious"inlockingopenspaces.

One London authority closed a park after reporting thousands of visitors flocking to it to enjoy the sunny, warm weather. Mr Jenrick said he had a "lot of sympathy"inthatrespectandcalled on councils to take a sensible approach.

"I have asked them to be very judicious in taking that stepandonlytodothatwhere they feel it is impossible to maintain social distancing rules, he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

In response, councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, chairman of the Local Government Association's culture, tourism and sport board said: "Councils know that parks are a lifeline for residents to get some fresh air and are great for physical and mental wellbeing.

"Thisiswhycouncilswant to keep parks open, but people need to follow social distancing advice, otherwise councils will be reluctantly forced to close them to help prevent coronavirus spreading."