Families are being told not to rush back to the local playgrounds despite the Welsh Government giving permission for them to reopen tomorrow (Monday).
Powys County Council is asking councillors to warn their respective communities that full risk assessments should be carried and safety requirements need to be put into place before they can be reopened.
Powys runs a number of playgrounds across the county, but many, like those in Welshpool and Guilsfield, are run by town and community councils who will also need to ensure they are ready before they can reopen.
There is also concern that due to four months of sitting idle, some equipment may be damaged and unsafe.
“We ask that members of the public do not try to use the play areas until they have been formally reopened, as each play area needs to be inspected by the Council to make sure that equipment is safe for use,” said a council spokesperson.
“This is a specialist task and damage may not be obvious to the untrained eye. Once play areas are reopened, there will be advisory signs in place. These will include information to help the public to use the areas safely, in the light of COVID 19.
“It is important that parents, guardians and carers supervise use of the play areas by children, to make sure that this safety advice is followed. Parents, guardians and carers will need to make sure that children do wash or sanitise their hands before and after using the equipment and before they eat, drink or touch their faces. No food or drink are to brought into play areas.”
Powys said that it will be removing some equipment from its play areas, in line with Welsh Government guidance, to make sure that there is enough space for social distancing to be observed which could include the removal of alternate swing seats.
There will be a limit on the maximum number of people who can be in a play area at any one time and only one household may use each piece of equipment at any one time.
“We will be providing this advice to Town and Community Councils, together with a copy of the signage that will be used,” said the spokesperson.
“The aim is to update them about the reopening of County Council play areas and to assist them in deciding how, and when to reopen any play areas that are under their control.”