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By Chantal Wagner

City recommends residents refrain from using public playground structures

Mar 25, 2020 | 6:02 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Public playgrounds remain open in Medicine Hat, while cities like Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge have closed playgrounds until further notice amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the city recommends residents refrain from visiting and using public playground structures.

Director of emergency management Merrick Brown says this decision is done in conjunction with local school boards, Cypress County, and the Town of Redcliff.

Brown says there may be an opportunity to enforce the rule if people are not being responsible in this recommendation.

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But the city doesn’t want to go there and doesn’t foresee it would come to that point.

“An ask to residents to refrain from using playgrounds just a gentle reminder for residents who may or may not be aware of the fact that we cannot clean it. The virus really likes hard surfaces and the primary user of playgrounds are children which might not necessarily know or understand the impact that the virus can actually have to their own self.”

The city encourages residents to enjoy local green spaces and paths instead while practicing physical distancing.

Brown also thanks the community for being responsible during this time.

The city’s news release can be viewed by visiting this link.