Water companies are asking people to stay at home for the good of their health rather than visit popular water company sites like reservoirs.
To help the public keep themselves, their families and their communities protected from the spread of Covid-19, water companies are closing most of their leisure facilities.
These include normally busy places like sailing centres, bird-watching hides, wildlife havens and water parks, along with the car parks, cafes and toilets linked to them.
Although water companies are passionate about providing the public with nature sites to boost health and wellbeing, they are clear that this move is in the best interests of the country during this difficult and unprecedented time.
A limited number of sites will remain partially open, but they will have strict social distancing rules enforced by on-site staff and their opening will be reviewed on a daily basis.
The health and welfare of the public is of paramount importance to the water industry – the water companies are therefore advising customers to follow the Government’s advice on staying at home if possible and avoiding contact with other people.
Photo: Grassholme Reservoir, Northumbrian Water
This morning Northumbrian Water became the latest company to close its facilities, announcing the closure of all its Waterside Parks, leisure locations and reservoirs to the public in light of the situation regarding Covid-19 with immediate effect.
Commenting on the decision, David Hall, Northumbrian Water's Head of Commercial Strategy and Transformation, said:
"In support of the Government's efforts to defeat Covid-19, it is with an extremely heavy heart that we have made the decision to close our leisure sites and reservoirs to the public with immediate effect. We also believe it is important to close our sites so that we can support rural communities who have been overwhelmed in recent days by a significant number of visitors who are not observing social distancing protocols and putting a strain on villages and their resources.
"The closure is currently expected to last until April 27, but this will be under constant review and may be extended.
"People who have fishing permits or caravan park bookings will be refunded, as these are being cancelled in line with the closures, as are all activities booked at Landal Kielder Waterside. This process is now well under way.
"We hope all of our customers, and those who enjoy visiting our sites, will understand that this closure is absolutely necessary, and we urge everyone to follow Government guidelines and support the fight against this pandemic in every way possible."
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