REDDITCH residents are being urged to take safety measures as the borough’s play areas are set to open from today (Wednesday, July 8).

Key messages to users include staying away if the areas are too busy, washing or sanitising hands before and after use, wiping down the equipment before use, and not eating food or drink in the area.

Guidelines also include having supervising adults only in the space, rather than spectators, to allow more youngsters to play and to not use the facility at all if you have any coronavirus symptoms.

Cllr Mike Rouse, Redditch Borough Council’s portfolio-holder for leisure, said: “We have carried out risk assessments on our play areas and equipment and, with the appropriate measures in place, have decided to reopen these to the public on a phased basis starting from today.

“I urge visitors to act responsibly, to be considerate to others, adhere to the guidelines and in doing so keep yourselves and others as safe as possible.

"This lockdown has been especially hard on the children of the Borough, so I hope having the playgrounds back in action will help in some small way."