Play parks across the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area will reopen to the public from Friday, July 10 in line with guidance issued recently by the Northern Ireland Executive as part of their 'Pathway to Recovery' programme.

Preparations are currently ongoing to ensure that appropriate measures are in place so that the play areas can reopen safely.

Speaking about the reopening of the play areas, chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Chris Smyth said: “I welcome the guidance from the Executive which has enabled the Council to put in place plans to reopen its play areas from this coming Friday. I know that for many families, particularly those with limited outdoor space, the closure of play areas wasn’t ideal."

He continued: "However, it is in large part down to the public following the guidance of the government and Public Health Agency that we are in a position to reopen play areas and while this is yet another positive step on the journey, I would encourage all parents and guardians who bring their children to the play areas to continue to exercise caution with regard to the need to avoid large crowds and observe current social distancing advice."

"I would also ask that visitors to the play areas continue to practise good hand hygiene as advised by the Department of Health and carry hand sanitizer with them,” Councillor Smyth concluded.

The Council hopes to have the majority of play areas ready to reopen on Friday, July 10 2020, with the remainder in the days following and it greatly appreciates the public’s patience and support.

The decision to reopen play areas will be kept under review in line with prevailing advice from the Northern Ireland Executive and the Public Health Agency.