Public toilets reopen after lockdown easing

Public toilets reopen after lockdown easing

17 June 2020

RESTRICTIONS on spending a penny across the district due to the coronavirus pandemic have been significantly eased this week.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Newry, Mourne and Down Council have reopened a number of public toilets to address the needs of locals and visitors flushed with frustration at not being able to use the loos for the past few months.

Public toilets at Castlewellan and Tollymore forest parks have been reopened by the government department, while local authority-owned toilets have reopened at the Bloody Bridge outside Newcastle and at Donard Park and the Downs Road in the resort.

Council officials have also reopened toilets at the Quoile picnic area in Downpatrick and those adjacent to Ballyhornan beach. However, all facilities will close at 5pm.

Within the next two weeks, additional council toilet facilities will reopen at three locations in Newcastle — Castle Park, Central Promenade and South Promenade, with council-owned toilets at Spelga Dam also set to reopen.

The council says it is reopening toilet blocks between 9am and 5pm as part of a “phased approach” balancing service provision, resources and the health and safety of the public and local authority staff.

The organisation says that reopening public toilets will increase the district’s tourist offering, confirming that work is underway to open additional toilet blocks on a phased basis with the hope to have as many as possible open at the height of the summer.

But a warning has been issued that the reopening plan depends upon available resources to ensure that all facilities are serviced to the standard required.

“It is vital to provide facilities that are maintained to a level that mitigates the risk of cross-contamination and possible transfer of Covid-19 among members of the public,” said a council spokesman.

Council officials say the measures taken to reopen public conveniences include increased frequency of cleansing and inspection, social distancing and hand washing signage and hand sanitisers provided outside each facility.

In addition, the local authority says that its plan to reopen all public conveniences across the district will be continually reviewed.