Parks and cemeteries to remain closed, council says

Parks, play areas and cemeteries in Caerphilly County Borough will remain closed until further notice, the council has confirmed.

Caerphilly County Borough Council says it has made the decision in the interests of public safety due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On March 23, the council, along with many other local authorities in Wales, shut all council-run enclosed children’s play areas, skate parks, municipal parks and country parks, with the government announcing the lockdown later that day.

However, while car parks at municipal parks across the borough have been closed, pedestrian access has been kept open for residents taking their daily permitted exercise, providing social distancing measures are followed.

Municipal cemeteries have been closed, except for planned burials, with travel to and from cemeteries considered non-essential travel under Covid-19 guidelines.

Cllr Nigel George, the council’s cabinet member for environment and neighbourhood services, said: “The decision to close these spaces has not been taken lightly. Our focus is on protecting residents, particularly the most vulnerable, by helping to limit the spread of coronavirus.

“We were experiencing large numbers of people attending these spaces, making social distancing requirements extremely difficult. In addition, we are mindful of the importance of restricting non-essential travel during this time.

“The council will continue to monitor and review the situation in line with Welsh Government guidance, with sites reopened as soon as assessed as safe to do so.”

However, independent councillor Nigel Dix called for cemeteries to be reopened.

Cllr Dix, who represents the Blackwood ward, said: “In this time of stress and anxiety, families cannot visit the graves of their loved ones, which provides comfort to the bereaved.

“Currently, people are having to climb over walls and fences to gain access to cemeteries.“I am sure that if the council does open the cemeteries, the public will adhere to the two metre rule – as they do when shopping or using any other public space.”