Reservoirs closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19

24 March 2020 17:39

To prevent the further spread of the coronavirus and in response to the government directive issued on Monday 23 March, for everyone to stay at home, NI Water is closing public access to its reservoirs, and any adjoining cafes, toilets and car parks until further notice.

Des Nevin, Director of NI Water’s Customer Service Delivery Directorate says, “To help keep the public protected from the spread of Covid-19, water companies are closing their sites which the public can access. To fight the spread of this virus, the advice from Government is to travel only if it is absolutely necessary, to social distance and to stay at home.”

The emergency legislation, the Coronavirus Bill, has introduced restrictions, aimed at preventing the spread of the disease.

Des Nevin, Director of NI Water’s Customer Service Delivery Directorate continues, “Although water companies are passionate about providing the public with nature sites to boost health and wellbeing, this move is in the best interests of the country during this difficult and unprecedented time. It is vital that the Coronavirus Bill, brought in by the Government, advising against all non-essential travel, is followed.

“The health and welfare of the public is incredibly important to the water industry, and we are advising customers to follow the Government’s advice on staying at home and avoiding contact with other people. The safety of the public and NI Water staff is paramount.”

ENDS//

Notes to Editors

Silent Valley pass holders: If you hold a Silent Valley pass, NI Water will extend the expiry date of your pass for the period that Silent Valley is closed as NI Water seeks to support the nation’s response to COVID19.

The Coronavirus Bill says people should only leave home for one of four reasons:

• Shopping for basic necessities such as food and medicine. Shopping trips should be as infrequent as possible.
• One form of exercise a day such as a run, walk, or cycle. This should be done alone or only with people you live with.
• Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person. This includes moving children under the age of 18 between their parents' homes, where applicable. Key workers or those with children identified as vulnerable can continue to take their children to school
• Travelling to and from work, but only where work absolutely cannot be done from home

Even when following the above guidance, people should minimise the amount of time spent out of their homes and should keep two metres (6ft) away from people they do not live with.

ENDS

Media enquiries to the NI Water Press Office via email to press.office@niwater.com