Mid and East Antrim lockdown easing measures welcomed

Mid and East Antrim council has announced the reopening of a number of leisure facilities in the borough.

Carrick Marina, Glenarm Marina, Carnlough Harbour and Portglenone Marina can be accessed.

Bentra golf course and tennis courts in Whitehead and the tennis courts at Larne Town Park and People’s Park, Ballymena are also reopening.

Social distancing measures will remain in place.

Larne (Greenland) Cemetery, Upper Cairncastle Road.Larne (Greenland) Cemetery, Upper Cairncastle Road.
Larne (Greenland) Cemetery, Upper Cairncastle Road.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

All cemeteries in Mid and East Antrim are open for pedestrian and vehicular access in order to accommodate visitors with mobility issues.

Vehicular access to Victoria Cemetery in Carrick has been welcomed by Knockagh Councillor Bobby Hadden.

Independent Cllr Hadden said that this will “alleviate the traffic problems on Victoria Road and will also assist those with mobility issues in visiting the graves of loved ones”.

“I am delighted that council have permitted vehicular access to Victoria cemetery with effect fromTuesday, May 19.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Please note however that the gates will be closed to facilitate funerals, in order that council staff can ensure compliance with the guidelines on social distancing

“Staff are working in very difficult circumstances and I would ask for your patience in this regard.”

The council said: “Vehicular access now permitted in all council cemeteries.

“All cemeteries in Mid and East Antrim will be open for pedestrian and vehicular access from today in order to accommodate visitors with mobility issues.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Vehicles had been permitted at the four main cemeteries between 9am and 10am each day, however, Council has agreed to allow the additional access to provide more flexibility to those with a disability.”

Cemeteries in Mid and East Antrim’s cemeteries are open to the public from 10am to 4pm every day.

Meanwhile, the council has advised that household recycling centres in the borough are open to Mid and East Antrim  residents only.

Identification will be required for access.

To ensure social distancing, motorists will be required to unload their own waste goods. The usual items are now being accepted for recycling.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Vans and trailers are now permitted although commercial or construction demolition waste is not allowed.

Garden centres in Northern Ireland reopened for business on Monday.

John Shannon, proprietor, of Inver Garden Centre, Larne, said the response by customers has been “absolutely fantastic”.

“People were on the starting blocks. It was like a May Day holiday.  We were busy the whole day.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“People want to get into the garden. It is good for health and well-being.”

Anglers are also able to return to DAERA fisheries although carparks will remain closed until May 27. Anglers should only go to their nearest or local fishery.

Fisheries Minister Edwin Poots said: “Anglers must continue to follow social distancing guidelines, practise good hand hygiene and walk to their nearest Public Angling Estate, fishing alone or with a member of their own household.

“I do not want to see crowds of people near the river banks and fisheries.”

The reopening of golf courses is also taking place.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cairndhu Golf Club, outside Larne, stated: “We are looking forward to welcoming back members on Wednesday.”

Meanwhile, St. John’s Church in Carnlough has announced that it will reopen on Friday May 18 and will be open each day from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Down and Connor said: “To facilitate the opening of churches for private prayer, churches within the Diocese of Down and Connor, following a full risk assessment, will reopen for private prayer according to the capacity of each parish to do so safely and in accordance with public health guidance and best practice.

“Each church will open only when it is safe to do so and this may vary from place to place. The support and patience of parishioners while these measures are put in place is greatly appreciated.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

--

A message from the Editor:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Related topics: