The decision was made by council under Delta’s state of local emergency declaration

DELTA (NEWS 1130) – The City of Delta decided Friday to close all playgrounds, skate and bike parks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The closures include park and school playgrounds as part of social distancing measures.

“These are extraordinary times that require extraordinary measures to keep our community safe. I thank the vast majority of residents who are staying home and practicing social distancing when they need to go out, but we need to do more to limit the spread of COVID-19 and this includes keeping our children and community safe by closing playground equipment, skate, and bike parks,” Mayor George Harvie says in a release.

All playgrounds, including skate and bike parks, school playgrounds, and playgrounds in Metro Vancouver parks, are closed, effective immediately. Delta Parks remain open. We continue to encourage users to maintain good social distancing. https://t.co/13cyzcaQZi #DeltaBC pic.twitter.com/Y1v7erH4st — City of Delta (@CityofDeltaBC) March 20, 2020

The decision to close playgrounds, bike and skate parks was made by council under Delta’s state of local emergency declaration to enforce the direction of the provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry.

Parks in Delta remain open, and people are encouraged to use them in support of good physical and mental health, provided social distancing between people of at least two metres is maintained at all times, says the city.

“People who are feeling unwell should not access parks,” the city adds.

Vancouver council unanimously approved a local state of emergency Thursday due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

B.C. declared a provincial state of emergency on Wednesday.