Today SA Health has announced, on the advice of our Chief Public Health Officer Prof. Nicola Spurrier, that public parks and playgrounds will be able to re-open in South Australia.
SA Health has said “Local councils have been important partners in our fight against COVID-19.”
“In the early stages of the pandemic, a number of councils closed parks and playgrounds, which was appropriate at the time, although there was no specific requirement to do so.”
“Now that we have low levels of cases and there is no current evidence of community transmission in South Australia, it is safe to enjoy these public facilities again.”
“The risk of COVID-19 transmission from outdoor parks, playgrounds and equipment is low and can be managed by following social distancing and hygiene precautions.”
SA Health recommends parks, playgrounds and skate parks can re-open with signage reinforcing:
▪ Social distancing (keeping 1.5 metres from others)
▪ Size of gathering (should be 10 or less at any time)
▪ Information about hygiene requirements.
SA Health also recommends councils clean playgrounds and equipment regularly. SA Health is also recommending increasing cleaning and disinfection of public amenities (e.g. public toilets).
This news comes off the back of South Australia recording no new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, which makes 10 straight days without any new cases in SA.
A total of 438 cases have been reported in SA. To date, there are only 7 active cases in SA and 427 people have been cleared of COVID-19.
There have been four reported deaths in SA from COVID-19.
Three COVID-19 patients remain in hospital, however none of these people currently require intensive care.
Testing criteria has been expanded to include anyone with unexplained and acute loss of smell or alteration in taste.
SA Pathology has undertaken more than 59,000 tests for COVID-19 so far.
For more information the general public should call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 or go to www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVID2019
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