Use of parks and playgrounds during lockdown

Lynnette from Epsom

Hi everyone.
I hope that you're all staying safe and well within your respective bubbles.
My son and I have been going out for walks during lockdown to get some exercise and fresh air, maintaining our 2m distance when passing by others. Sometimes we walk past a local park, and each time I've been concerned by the number of people using the park for activities such as playing cricket, basketball, soccer throwing frisbees and even families having a picnic. Yesterday, Melville Park was a hive of activity, as was Auckland Normal Intermediate school grounds (despite a sign on the fields saying they were closed). There were also 2 groups of people playing tennis on the adjacent Mt Eden public tennis courts, and a group of teens playing basketball at Windmill Park. I was stunned at the number of people flouting lockdown and putting themselves and others around them at risk.
As a mum, I understand the temptation to just nip down to the local park, or playground and play some games with the kids, but this is not okay during lockdown. Please don't put your families and others at risk. Hopefully it's only another 2-3 weeks before we can all start using these facilities again, with confidence that we are not potentially spreading a deadly virus.
For those who are unsure of what exercise is okay and what's not, check out sportnz.org.nz...
Here's an excerpt:
"You might be tempted to use local outdoor exercise facilities, playgrounds, or community courts for tennis or basketball. Do not do this.".... "Playgrounds are unfortunately off limits as the virus can stay alive on surfaces and playgrounds are also places where people congregate."
Let's all stay safe together. We can beat this... but only if we play by the rules, and all do our part. Thanks so much.