ROCKINGHAM — All recreation facilities across Richmond County are closed, but you can still walk around.
Health and Human Service Director Dr. Tommy Jarrell announced in a press release Monday afternoon that parks owned by the county, city of Rockingham and town of Dobbins Heights — if not closed already — will be closed at 5 p.m., when Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order goes into effect.
Cooper issued the order on Friday to prevent the spread of COVID-19
The walking trails at Hitchcock Creek and Hinson Lake are still open, as is the disc golf course, according to local leaders.
However, restrooms are closed.
Rockingham's Parks and Recreation Department also announced Monday that spring soccer and youth baseball and softball were canceled for this year. Indoor soccer will be the first program to commence when circumstances allow.
Hamlet Mayor Bill Bayless said his city’s parks and facilities have been closed for a week, but walking around Hamlet City Lake is still permissible as long as people don’t congregate in large groups and practice social distancing.
He added that the police department will be monitoring the areas.
The governor’s order bans groups larger than 10 people and individuals are asked to remain 6 feet from each other outside their homes.
Per the order, residents in Richmond County and across the state are allowed to leave their home for essential trips such as work, food, medicine, exercise and to help others, Jarrell said.
Richmond County has yet to have a confirmed case of coronavirus out of the 95 test results that have been returned, according to Jarrell. A total of 182 individuals have been tested.
Neighboring Moore County announced Monday that it was up to eight confirmed cases, which include cases of community spread.
As of 11 a.m., there were 1,307 cases and six COVID-19-related deaths statewide.
