This week saw the City of Victor Harbor start to reopen its parks and playgrounds progressively.

The reopening started on Wednesday 6 May following advice from South Australia’s Chief Public Health Officer that there is minimal risk of contamination due to low cases of coronavirus.

Playgrounds were closed more than a month ago, with security tape and warning sign preventing use of equipment.

Council advises that park and playground users have a personal and community responsibility to practice physical distancing and good hygiene when using equipment that is accessible to everyone.

It is encouraging people to wipe down equipment before and after use, and to wash hands or use hand sanitiser before and after touching surfaces.

The council has put together a map of the city’s playgrounds highlighting those that have hand-washing facilities. 

Where there aren’t any hand-washing facilities, it is recommended to BYO hand sanitiser.

Alexandrina Council has also been gradually opening its playgrounds for community use, as well as its tennis courts at Abbots Reserve, Middleton and Pipers Crest, Strathalbyn.

The council says safety audits need to be undertaken before each playground can be opened, so if there is orange bunting around the playground, it remains closed.  

It says social distancing is still important when using parks, playgrounds and outdoor spaces and has issued tips for keeping everyone safe:

• Keep 1.5m from others outside your family unit.
• Avoid congregating in groups of more than 10.
• Take hand sanitiser with you and use before and after touching public surfaces and equipment
• Remember good personal hygiene – wash your hands often, avoid touching your face, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
• If the location you wish to visit is busy, leave and return later.

The move signals a slow relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions after South Australia notched up two weeks without any new cases of the virus.