$92 Fine Possible For Using Fairfield Parks During Coronavirus

FAIRFIELD, CT — Starting today, residents who use Fairfield’s parks and beaches could be fined $92, officials warned.

Public recreation areas in town have been closed for weeks as part of an effort to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, but Fairfield leaders have repeatedly expressed frustration over reports of the facilities’ continued use. As of this week, the closure of beaches, playgrounds and open spaces will be enforced rather than encouraged, officials said.

Law enforcement will patrol the closed areas, according to a Facebook post Sunday from the police department. Enforcement may include a trespassing fine.

“Every social interaction endangers us all,” Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said Sunday in a Facebook post.

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As of Sunday, Fairfield had a total of 70 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, four of which involved patients who died after contracting the virus, according to Kupchick, who added the number of cases in town is likely much higher because not all infected residents have symptoms.

“Lives depend on you staying home,” Kupchick said in the post, noting the new coronavirus outbreak is in the “acceleration phase” and the coming weeks are expected to put peak pressure on the local healthcare system.

There were 5,675 confirmed new coronavirus cases in Connecticut as of Sunday, 189 of which were fatal and 3,050 of which were in Fairfield County, according to state data.

Kupchick also reminded residents that when they leave the house for food or medicine they should remain physically distant from other people and wear a cloth face covering.

For more information, visit fairfieldct.org/covid19.