Darien Reopens High School Grounds, All School Athletic Fields

DARIEN, CT — With the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) slowed in Darien, the town has reopened the campus at Darien High School, and the athletic fields at all the town's schools, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson announced on Friday.

The move to reopen the high school site allows students to participate in certain events at the high school, and retrieve personal items on scheduled days. Additionally, the move will allow seniors to collect their diplomas on June 11, according to officials.

"First, let me say that virus data in Darien suggests that we are and have flattened the curve here," Stevenson said in an email to Patch. "As of today we have 203 total cases, only 16 hospitalizations and sadly 5 deaths. These numbers have been holding steady for the last 1 ½ weeks."

Schools throughout Darien and the state have been closed since mid-March due to the virus, and Stevenson ordered restrictions on vehicle access to the high school — and closed down athletic fields and playgrounds — on April 8.

The decision to lift the restrictions and reopen the campus and athletic fields was made in collaboration with the Schools Superintendent Alan Addley and Board of Education Chair Tara Ochman, according to Stevenson.

"Planned end-of-year school activities necessitated the action," Stevenson said. "With the local order lifted, the school district will be managing the use of their facilities and must make sure that any uses are in harmony with all of the Governor's Executive Orders and State of Connecticut ReOpen criteria. Lifting of the order also returns that responsibility to the Parks & Recreation Department and Commission for our parks and beaches. Enforcement of Executive Orders will be the responsibility of each of those departments in collaboration, as needed, with our Local Health Director, Darien Police Department and me."