Some leisure activities set to re-open

The leisure services impacted by the rule changes are golf, angling and tennis. The Council has also confirmed that car parks at parks and open spaces will be opening from Wednesday.

The change to the leisure facilities are as follows:

Golf

Golf courses will reopen to members and subscribers from Saturday, May 23. The general public will have access from Wednesday, May 27.

Everyone hoping to play must book online in advance and golfers are not to arrive at the course more than 15 minutes in advance of their tee-off time. Rakes will be removed from the courses and golfers must not touch the flag or flag stick.

For further information, Council advises residents to contact their local golf clubs directly.

Angling

With regards to angling, Council notes that angling facilities at Loughgall will reopen from Saturday, May 23.

In line with Public Health Agency guideline, no sharing of fish positions (swims) except by members of the same household is permitted nor is it allowed to share fishing tackle or other items. Anglers must stay two meters or more away from each other and on-site toilet facilities will remain closed.

Tennis

The Council’s tennis facilities will reopen to clubs only from Wednesday, May 27.

Unless players are from the same household there will be a maximum of two people per court, players must only handle their own racket and ball, and players must avoid changing ends, or, make sure to change at opposite sides of the net.

Club buildings and toilet facilities will remain closed and a buffer period of 10 minutes will apply between bookings.

Car parks

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has confirmed that car parks will reopen at Council’s parks and open spaces from Wednesday, May 27.

It has also confirmed that due to reduced service levels currently operating, charging for entry into Gosford Forest Park and Loughgall is suspended until further notice.

Council has also advised that despite car parks reopening at these facilities, access to public toilets, outdoor gyms and play parks is not permitted.

Skateboard parks, caravan areas, park benches, mobile catering facilities and multi-use games areas are also off limits at present.

For further information check the Council’s website.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you.