The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, citing defiance of social distancing guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic, is instituting additional restrictions to limit groups from hanging out, and playing, in parks, reports the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
The board will be closing all athletic fields, courts, playgrounds and skate parks by May 1.
“This is an issue that we’re consistently seeing. The fact is that some park spaces have been built to provide for congregating,” Board President Jono Cowgill said, according to The Star Tribune. “We need to take steps now to ensure that people are staying safe as best they can.”
Park Board Superintendent Al Bangoura said in a statement the closures were needed to deter groups that continue to defy social distancing measures.
“We’re taking this necessary step to slow the spread of COVID-19 and for the health and safety of residents and their families,” he explained. “We have put a lot of effort into educating and encouraging social distancing, but we continue to see park visitors gathering during this national health crisis.”
Minnesota has more than 4,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 301 deaths. Minnesota’s current stay-at-home order is set to expire Monday, but Gov. Tim Walz has said more testing is a crucial part of the effort to restart sectors of the economy safely and move more of Minnesota back to normalcy.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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