Do Not Use Playgrounds Due To Covid -19
Playground equipment sits empty at King George School on Wednesday afternoon - MJ Independent photo
As tempting as it might appear while out on a properly social distanced walk with the kids the Province is advising people against using public playground equipment at this time due to the potential of contracting Covid - 19 from surfaces.
The advisory applies to all public playground apparatuses including city-owned, school division owned, Wakamow Valley Authority owned or other public accessible playground equipment.
The Province issued the precaution on Monday afternoon advising the metal surfaces have the potential to hold viable Covid - 19 coronavirus. The only means to clean the playground apparatus is through a thorough and regular disinfection.
The King George School playground equipment sits vacant on Wednesday afternoon the Province advised on Monday not to use it - MJ Independent file photo
The City of Moose Jaw has asked all residents to not use playground equipment due to the fact it is not sanitized. The City is erecting signs at all of its playgrounds to warn residents not to use the equipment.
Park spaces, dog parks and trails remain open to the public but social distancing practices should be practiced at all times. Please ensure you maintain two metres of personal space when venturing outdoors, the City has advised residents.
In lieu of using public playground equipment the City offered suggestions for residents to make use of their back yards for outside play activities.
Outdoor back yard activities include making your own playground, sandbox or obstacle course, playing sports like soccer, baseball or lacrosse, or doing chalk drawings and rock paintings.
Playground equipment sits idle at King George School on a wet and cooler Wednesday afternoon - MJ Independent photo
The Province also advised on Monday not to touch commonly shared public surfaces. These surfaces include, but are not limited to, pedestrian crossing activation buttons.
The Province advised on Monday to refrain from using shared surfaces such as pedestrian crossing signal buttons as they are not sanitized and could potentially help spread Covid - 19 because viable coronavirus can remain on it for lengthy periods - MJ Independent file photo
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found Covid - 19 could remain viable for days on some surfaces especially metal. Regular cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces is the best defence.
The best defence against catching and spreading Covid - 19 is to maintain proper handwashing procedures using soap and water, social distancing, coughing or sneezing into your elbow, staying home if you feel sick and unless you have to go out stay at home.