Sports and sunbathing begin to return to Southwark

By Grainne Cuffe, Local Democracy Reporter

Southwark council has opened tennis courts, cricket nets and fishing in parks across the borough.

The spaces opened to the public on Friday as lockdown rules relaxed slightly, allowing for sports with a lower risk of contact.

Social distancing rules still apply and people can only meet one person outside their household.

In his most recent newsletter, leader Cllr Peter John said: “Southwark, like the rest of the country, is still in lockdown, despite some changes to government guidance.

“We must all stay at home as much as possible and keep our distance from others if we need to go out.”

He told people if they go out “please keep two metres away from others”.

“You should only go out with members of your household or meet one person – outside and at a two-metre distance – who is not from your household.

“We are working on a plan to open more areas for sports, but will only do this where and when we can do it safely,” he said.

The Prime Minister announced changes to the lockdown rules on May 10.

People who cannot work from home are allowed to go back to work, and two people from different households can now meet outside if they remain two metres apart.

There is no longer a limit on how much people can exercise, but outdoor gyms will remain shut, along with playgrounds, due to a higher risk of close contact and touching surfaces.

People can now spend more time outdoors for “leisure purposes,” which includes sunbathing.

Pictured top: You can now sunbathe in parks – as long as it is with members of your household