Play areas closed

All public play areas and outdoor exercise equipment across the borough have been closed, following the government’s latest guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The government announced new restrictions yesterday (23 March) stating that people can only leave their houses to exercise once a day, to travel to and from work where ‘absolutely necessary’, to shop for essential items and for any medical or care needs.

Despite the closure of play areas and outdoor equipment, residents are still able to enjoy a daily walk or run at a safe distance from others to get essential exercise in the borough’s parks which remain open at present.

The borough council’s Safe Space campaign is encouraging people to exercise safely if cycling, running or walking in public by keeping at least two metres away from each other.

Residents are being told not to meet up with friends following the latest guidance around gatherings of more than two people, except for family members from the same house.

The council’s Community Safety Patrol Officers will be working closely with the police and taking appropriate action to break up any gatherings in public areas.

 Garden waste service suspended

As with companies up and down the country, following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), our waste contractor Serco has been facing staffing issues. Serco has been working hard to continue to collect bins.

In order to protect our waste, recycling and clinical waste collections, we have had to make the decision to suspend non-essential services.

Garden waste collections have now been temporarily suspended to protect rubbish, clinical waste and recycling collections.

All existing garden waste customers were contacted by letter advising them that the garden waste service would have to be suspended and that we would be monitoring staffing daily, aiming to complete the last collections on 27 March.

However, owing to staffing shortages, Serco is not able to complete any more collections and the service has been suspended after Tuesday 24 March.

Household waste centres closed

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday, Hampshire County Council announced today that all household waste recycling centres are closed due to the coronavirus outbreak until further notice.