Greenwich Coronavirus: All Town Parks And Beaches To Close

GREENWICH, CT — First Selectman Fred Camillo has ordered all Town parks and beaches closed to the public, effective at 8 p.m. today, Sunday, March 22, 2020. The closures will be effective until further notice.

The closure includes but is not limited to tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds, ball

fields, school grounds and open spaces. Bathrooms at all recreational facilities will be closed.

“This is a decision I did not make lightly. Our parks are being overwhelmed by visitors who are
not practicing social distancing,” Camillo said. “This is a national public health emergency.
While it is good for people to enjoy the outdoors and exercise, to do so in such large numbers
presents the possibility of a widespread outbreak of the coronavirus.”

On Saturday, March 21, there were 8,433 visitors to Greenwich Point Park alone.

“I acknowledge that there will be a few weeks of aggravation but the sooner we do it, the sooner
we’ll be able to end this pandemic. For the past week, I have been saying that if people do not
adhere to the national public health guidelines of social distancing, I would be forced to close
the parks and beaches. It is unfortunate, but I have to make this difficult decision in the interest
of the welfare and health safety of our residents,” Camillo also said.

The decision to close the beaches and parks was made after discussion with and with the
support of Town department heads and administrative staff, the Board of Selectmen, our state
Legislative delegation and Congressman Jim Himes, he said.

The closure of the parks and beaches follows Mr. Camillo’s decision to close Town Hall to
employees, effective at 10 a.m. Monday, March 23, through April 22. The Town-operated
Griffith E. Harris Golf Course will close at the end of business today, Sunday, March 22.
Department of Parks & Recreation staff and the Greenwich Police Department, along with
members of the Town’s volunteer fire companies will enforce the parks and beach closures.

Violators of this directive may be cited for trespassing or more severe criminal sanctions in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes.

Residents seeking a respite in the outdoors may use any of the trails and sidewalks in Town,
while maintaining social distancing. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Updates on other Town Operations:

All employees are expected to work from home and be available by phone and email during
business hours. The Town will continue to provide limited services where possible. If you need
a Town service, please first visit the Department’s webpage. Our website and email are the
preferred methods of communication during this time. Staff will make periodic checks of
voicemail boxes, however, please allow additional time for responses during this situation.
Given the unprecedented fluidity of this situation, expectations and operations may change at
any time.

 All Police and Fire sworn personnel, including Public Safety Dispatch, will continue to
work their assigned schedules.

 DPW’s Sewer Division will continue to staff its operations, adjusting staff levels to the
extent possible, based upon its needs.

 The Holly Hill Transfer Station will operate under the regular schedule with new traffic
and drop-off patterns in place to ensure social-distancing for employees and the public.
The Greenwich Department of Health continues to monitor patients who are at home,
investigate patients contacts with follow up as needed, as well as maintain patient public health
nursing services to the elderly and homebound.

Patient caseloads are in flux making it difficult to report exact real time positive cases from the
local level, according to Health Director Caroline Baisley. As of Friday March 20, 2020, there
were approximately 25 cases reported in Greenwich.

The Health Department will continue to receive residents’ calls and answer concerns on
designated phone lines: 203-622 -7865, 203-622-7703, 203-622-7614, 203-622-7842 and 203-
622-7836. For more information on limited services during this time please visit the Department
of Health’s webpage .

Please reach out to your doctor or healthcare facility if you have an upcoming appointment for
the latest information on hours of operation and visitor restrictions. Many offices are now
offering telemedicine services during this time.

If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms, call your doctor or healthcare facility before visiting.
If you have questions about COVID-19, call 833-ASK-YNHH (833-275-9644), or check the
website: https://www.ynhhs.org/patient-...

The Police Department reminds residents that if you are experiencing mild symptoms of illness
and are not in a high risk group that you contact your personal physician rather than call 911. If
you have mild symptoms, do not go to the emergency room before contacting your doctor for
direction. If you have any serious symptoms, please do not hesitate to call 911. Please save
911 for real emergencies.