‘BE VERY CAREFUL VIRUS IS STILL OUT THERE’
HEALTH CHIEFS IN PLEA AS CROWDS FLOCK TO PARKS TO ENJOY SUN
HEALTH chiefs have called on people enjoying the sunshine not to drop their guard, warning “the virus is still out there”, writes Amy Orton.
It comes as crowds have taken advantage of the warm weather coinciding with the easing of lockdown restrictions.
“Things are improving but we’re not out of this yet,” said city health boss Professor Ivan Browne.
“THE virus is still out there” - that was the warning from Leicester’s public health boss yesterday after people flocked to parks with the relaxing of kockdown restrictions.
Crowds have gathered at parks across the city and county as Covid rules changed to mean that groups of six, or two households, can now spend time together outdoors - in public parks or private gardens.
Leicester’s director of public health, Professor Ivan Browne, said: “It’s great that we can now meet friends and family outside and it’s inevitable that lots of people are going to be heading for Leicester’s parks in this great weather.
“Although meeting people outside is much safer than meeting indoors – which is still not allowed between households – people still need to take sensible precautions to avoid catching the virus.
“Social distancing should still be observed, so maintain a distance between people you don’t live with, and keep apart from other groups of people.
“We are lucky in Leicester to have many parks within walking or cycling distance of where people live, but if you need to travel by car to get there, don’t car share with others you don’t live with.
“The virus is still out there. Things are improving but we’re not out of this yet, so it’s important that we all keep following the rules to stay safe and to enable the further easing of restrictions that we are all looking forward to.”
His warning was echoed by his county counterpart, Mike Sandys, pictured, who added: “Restrictions are starting to ease, but people need to remain vigilant as we approach the Easter break and to stay outside when meeting others.
“I would again encourage people to take up the offer of a vaccine when it’s offered, for people to have a test if they have symptoms and to maintain the hands, face, space regime.”
In neighbouring Nottingham, some parks were closed yesterday after what the city council leader described as a “frenzy” on the first day of lockdown easing on Monday.
Large groups met at parks across
the city, with fights reportedly breaking out and lots of litter being left behind.
That has also been a problem in Leicester.
Victoria Hudson, parks and open spaces operational manager for the city council said: “We expected to see more rubbish in the parks when the good weather arrived and we’re prepared for it, but we were still
shocked by the amount of litter left behind on Monday.
“All we ask is for people to put their litter in bags, tie them up and put them in a bin, or next to it if the bin is full. Our staff empty every bin in every park at least once a day and sometimes twice. If they have to spend hours picking litter off the floor this seriously hampers them.”
She added: “If people really want
to help, if the bins are full they could bag up their litter and take it home with them.
“And if they’re passionate about their local park they could join our band of environmental volunteers who have continued to do great work throughout the pandemic.”
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