School District 57 (SD57) is stressing the importance of social distancing if you choose to use fields and courts on any of its properties.
Prince George playgrounds were closed on March 23, but school district fields and courts are still open.
SD57 Superintendent Anita Richardson says while they encourage time outside, social distancing measures must be followed.
"Equipment and potentially transmitting the virus,” Richardson said in a release.
“Our fields and grounds remain open for use and we hope that individuals choosing to spend time on our grounds choose to do so safely abiding by the directives of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO). Our message to parents and community is that we encourage time spent outside that is in compliance with the PHO's guidelines. We hope that school-aged children are reminded of the risks and encouraged to employ safe COVID-19 practices both at home and outdoors.”
She also explained why playgrounds were closed and will stay the same until further notice.
“The risk is COVID-19 living on the hard surface of the playground equipment and potentially transmitting the virus."
The School District adds that B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says kids together on playgrounds "is not what we need right now" and social distancing measures need to be followed.
“We need to go outside with our close family, with our small groups,” Dr. Henry said.
"We are not to be outside in (large) groups, we are not to be playing basketball, we’re not to be out sitting together in large groups… because when we’re out in groups like that the chances are somebody will be exposed to this virus and we’ll bring it home to our family and our communities, and that is what is going to spread the virus.”
Proper social distancing measures are keeping a distance of two metres (six feet) or the length of a queen-sized bed, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
