The Richmond School District announced further closures of its grounds early Monday morning to encourage social distancing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Following Friday’s announcement that playgrounds were closed, the school district tweeted Monday that sports courts and playing fields are also closed following recommendations by the public health authority.
All Richmond School District playgrounds, sports courts, and playing fields are closed until further notice. This measure is necessary to respond to public health authority recommendations for practicing social distancing. #SD38 pic.twitter.com/Y60SmiAJTg
— Richmond Schools (@RichmondSD38) March 23, 2020
The City of Richmond moved to close more outdoor amenities on Sunday evening as well - sports fields, tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, skate parks, bike parks, lacrosse boxes and the West Richmond fitness area are all now closed, the city announced on Sunday evening.
This move follows closures of Vancouver’s outdoor recreation facilities early Sunday after thousands flocked to beaches and parks in that city on Saturday.
Richmond had already closed its community centres, the Oval, the Minoru Centre for Active Living, libraries, swimming pools, arenas and arts, cultural and heritage buildings.
Richmond council declared an emergency in the city on Thursday afternoon in order to take steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and immediately announced that city hall would be closed to the public as of Monday.
As of Thursday, there were eight cases of coronavirus in Richmond, but health officials are telling people to practice social distancing, that is, keep two metres away from other people, in order to keep it from further spreading.
Dr. Meena Dewar, Richmond’s medical health officer, will update council on Monday at 7 p.m. on the local coronavirus situation. This will be livestreamed at www.Richmond.ca.
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