SHAH ALAM, Aug 17 — Public recreational parks under the purview of several local councils in Selangor are still not accessible for now despite being allowed to reopen in states under Phase 1 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) beginning yesterday, The Star reported today.
The guidelines issued by the National Security Council (NSC) stated that the public in states under Phase 1 of the NRP is allowed to carry out individual activities including jogging, cycling and exercise while maintaining the social distance when visiting the public recreational parks.
According to the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), the public parks under its management will not reopen until it has received a directive from the state government or restrictions are further eased by the NSC.
MBPJ manages 16 public recreational parks, including Taman Bandaran Kelana Jaya, Taman Jaya, Taman Aman and Bukit Gasing Educational Forest.
As for the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), large public and recreational parks such as Subang Ria Park and Taman Linear Putra Heights which fall under its jurisdiction will remain closed.
Its Corporate and Strategic Management Department deputy director Azfarizal Abdul Rashid said the closure will take place until further announcements are made by the NSC.
“Only recreation parks located within neighbourhoods are allowed to open from 7am until 8pm daily.
“This is in line with the Prime Minister’s recent announcement on easing of restrictions in certain sectors for those who are fully vaccinated,” Azfarizal was reported to have said, adding that the public is reminded to adhere to the sports and recreation standard operating procedures (SOPs) for states under Phase One of NRP.
In the case of the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), a spokesperson from the local council said that all public recreational parks under its jurisdiction would reopen today, which includes Taman Tasik Sri Gombak, Taman Tasik KUB Rawang, Laman Bestari Selayang Utama and Taman Tasik Country Homes.
Meanwhile, state executive councillor for local government Ng Sze Han said the state will follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) as set by the NSC, but stated that it is up to the discretion of the local councils to decide on the reopening of the public parks.
“There are many recreational parks which are very popular and have a tendency to attract large crowds.
“So crowd management will be a major consideration for local councils (in deciding whether public parks can be reopened),” he was quoted by the English daily.
