New social distancing markings are being rolled out across Belfast parks to remind people to stay apart to protect the vulnerable.
As numbers in parks increase, Belfast City Council is trialling social distancing stencils across a number of parks to help older people and those with health conditions feel safer as they exercise.
The markings are part of a plan to reinforce the distancing message as lockdown begins its third month, and to remind younger people to keep their distance.
Botanic SDLP Councillor Gary McKeown said: “The stencils will act as a simple but effective reminder to maintain social distancing.
“For many people, going out during this pandemic can be stressful, but exercise has an important role to play in both our mental and physical health, so creative ideas to make it safer are exactly what is needed. In this case, it is nothing more than a spray can and a stencil, but it gets the message across.
“These markings at key points in parks will remind everyone of how important it is to maintain social distancing, meaning we can all continue to enjoy our parks and keep well.
"This complements the ongoing work that Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon is going to introduce wider pavements and pop-up cycle lanes, will help make our city safer and cleaner during the pandemic.”
Stencils are being trialled in 12 parks - Ormeau, Botanic Gardens, Drumglass, Falls, and Belfast Castle. The markings are also at Woodvale Park, Connswater Greenway, Victoria Park, Barnett Demesne, Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, and Belmont Park.
The cycling and walking charity Sustrans has implemented a similar initiative on the Comber Greenway.
