Due to the coronavirus pandemic, playgrounds are closing in England. However, parents and charities oppose this idea.
Authorities across England have been ordering the closure of playgrounds. That is because of the fear that keeping playgrounds open may cause people to socialize.
On the other hand, parents and charities are saying that closing down playgrounds will not favor children as these places are helping in reducing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on children's physical and mental health.
Playgrounds are closing in England
Last week, around 54 playgrounds closed in Stevenage. The decision to close these places was due to the rise in cases of COVID-19 among children and adults in the area.
Health officials said, "Nobody wants to do this but the virus is circulating so much we don't have a choice."
Other places like Colchester and Brighton's playgrounds are closing as well. Authorities are doing this to avoid the spread of the new strain of coronavirus.
Some of the places where playground had to be closed are places where cases of COVID-19 have drastically increased.
Parents oppose closing down of playgrounds
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, families are under many difficult circumstances. Children are greatly affected by the pandemic, from the changes ins chool set-up to even spending more time at home than any other place, just to avoid contracting the virus.
For parents who have options on where to bring their children for recreation, the closure of playgrounds will not bring much of an issue. However, for poor families, this could be an issue.
Parents oppose closing down playgrounds because they also see this as a collective punishment for children when it was not them who were not following the rules.
For some parents, they consider playgrounds as a way to let their children exercise.
One mom said, "My eldest child has autism, and as a family, we need this place for her to climb, jump and spin. We are told that adults can go for a 5km run but what can children do? My four-year-old can't ride a bike so we can't do that as a family exercise together. The playground is the solution to a lot of problems."
Organizations also oppose the closure of playgrounds.
Play England released a letter recently that tells local authorities to keep playgrounds open.
According to the organization, this will reduce the impact of COVID-19 on children's physical and mental health.
The chair of Play England, Anita Grant, said that due to the pandemic, children are suffering from loss of play. She also said, "Play outside in playgrounds may not be risk-free but the much greater risk is the impact of isolation, lack of exercise, loss of socialization and connection with the external world that could result from the lockdown."
Those who rally to keep the playgrounds open believe that the guidelines during lockdowns are not enough to cater to the needs of children.
