Public cemeteries in Bristol will close from tomorrow (April 6) due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Bristol City Council has announced it will close all council-run cemeteries to the public, but funeral services will be allowed to continue with a limited number of people attending.
The council has said it was following public health guidance, adding: "We’ve had to take the difficult decision to limit the number of people who can attend [funerals] to a maximum of ten mourners.
"Unfortunately this is necessary in reducing the spread of the virus."
Mayor Marvin Rees said in a video shared on social media that the cemeteries to close included:
- Canford Cemetery in Westbury-on-Trym
- South Bristol Cemetery in Bedminister
- Brislington Cemetery
- Greenbank Cemetery in Easton
- Henbury Cemetery
- Ridgeway Park Cemetery in Eastville
- Shirehampton Cemetery
He added that Arnos Vale Cemetery had already been closed by the trust that run it, adding the grounds of the cemeteries would still be maintained by a ground staff.
On Saturday, the council closed St George park's car park and the nearby library car park over concerns about the park being full of people.
Bristol City Council issued guidance on Saturday afternoon after receiving numerous reports that parks were 'very busy'.
Police have been out patrolling beauty spots and parks across the Bristol area this weekend to enforce lockdown conditions and more than 50 fines have been issued so far.
People have been urged to adhere to government restrictions and stay at home rather than venture out to enjoy the nice weather in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.
On Sunday morning the health secretary Matt Hancock warned the government could stop people leaving their homes for exercise if too many people flout existing social distancing rules, for example by sunbathing in parks.
