Seaton resident who lost a family member to Covid-19 speaks out as children use closed play area on hottest day of year

The woman, who does not wish to be named, spoke out after people flocked to Seaton Carew on Wednesday, May 20, when some children used play equipment on The Front where council tape had been ripped down.

Just last week, the resident lost her grandmother to Covid-19 and has appealed to people not to use the play area which remains closed.

Families could be seen walking through the children’s play area and small children using equipment including the swings.

The resident said: “Families are mixing and there is no social distancing between their children or parents, no one is wiping the equipment down or their children’s hands and after what our family have gone through in the last week it just upsets me so much that people are ignoring the tapes and even removing them.

“I understand this lockdown is hard for everyone, I have children myself, but I just wish people would listen to the advice and not ignore warning tape then put their lovely kids onto equipment that could be contaminated.”

Related: Town leaders’ plea to stay away from Hartlepool coast while virus threat continues

Hartlepool Borough Council confirmed that all children’s play parks and areas across the town are closed until further notice based on latest government advice and people should not use them.

Visitors are allowed to go to Seaton within the guidelines but its car parks also remain closed.

Seaton Councillor James Black said on Facebook that police and council enforcement officers would speak to parents about the use of play facilities, and have been providing advice and guidance to shops and visitors, particularly around social distancing.

The council has also had reports of children’s play areas being used in other parts of the town including Rossmere and Oxford Road.

Council Leader Councillor Shane Moore said: “We would urge people to respect the closure of children’s play areas and where they do venture outdoors to follow the rules on public gatherings and social distancing at all times.”

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