Alcohol to be banned in some parks to stop COVID spreading

Photo credit: Shestock/Blend Images - Getty Images
Photo credit: Shestock/Blend Images - Getty Images

From Cosmopolitan

If you've been harbouring visions of sipping on a gin in a tin, can of cider or a bottle of beer in a park with your pals this week, unfortunately you may need to think again... if you're based in Nottingham. Local police have imposed alcohol bans (complete with a £70 fine) in some parks, in an effort to crack down on littering and to stop the spread of coronavirus.

As per the government's four-step plan for carrying the country out of lockdown rules and back to some sense of normality, Monday marked the first official day where it's deemed safe for groups of six to meet outdoors. However, this immediately saw some spots of greenery get overcrowded, resulting in quite a mess after (and a lack of social distancing).

Social media saw videos of fights being shared, people ignoring safety measures and leaving stacks of rubbish at Nottingham Arboretum.

Moving forward, the COVID Rapid Response team in Nottingham then decided the best thing to do is to put a ban on alcohol and send out a reminder to locals to use the litter bins provided. In a tweet posted 30 March, they said: "If you're planning on visiting our Parks & Open Spaces today please remember to enjoy them responsibly. Use the litter bins provided & leave any alcohol at home. Littering or breaching the PSPO means you may be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice #cleaner #safer #Nottingham".

City Council Leader David Mellen also described the scenes at the Arboretum "extremely disappointing" and urged that people take greater care of themselves and others while socialising.

He added, "We have all made sacrifices over the last year to keep each other safe. Over 600 local people have died due to the virus. We owe it to their families, to each other and to frontline workers not to jeopardise the strides we have made towards reducing the spread of Covid by acting so thoughtlessly and recklessly.

"The road map is a cautious way out of this terrible situation and we all need to abide strictly to its rules. They currently allow up to six people or two households to meet outside but other necessary precautions such as social distancing remain in place."

The earliest date that the next stage of lockdown easing will happen in the 12th of April, and if successful, it will mean the following changes:

  • Non-essential retail, hairdressers, nail salons, libraries and museums can open

  • Outdoor hospitality in pubs and restaurants allowed, but visits will still be limited to households or those following the rule-of-six

  • Most outdoor settings reopen such as zoos and theme parks to reopen

  • Gyms and indoor swimming pools will open

  • Self-catering holiday accommodation and camp sites reopen

  • Funerals with up to 30 people are allowed

  • Weddings with up to 15 people are permitted

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