All DBKL parks, playgrounds to close from Wednesday (Jan 13)

A girl riding her bicycle along the lake at Taman Metropolitan Kepong. - Filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: All public parks and playgrounds under the jurisdiction of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will be closed starting Wednesday (Jan 13) until further notice.

A DBKL statement said the closure was in view of the movement control order announced by the government.

Some of the parks that will be closed include Taman Rimba Kiara, Taman Botani Perdana and Taman Metropolitan Kepong.

The closure comes despite some flexibility given for leisure activities including jogging and cycling as announced by Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob Ismail on Tuesday (Jan 12).

The flexibility allows the public to jog or cycle but is limited to only two people in a group.

DBKL Corporate Planning director Khairul Azmir Ahmad said the city hall did not want to risk any overcrowding in the parks.

“Based on our previous experience, many people failed to adhere to the standard operating procedure when we reopened the parks.

"However, jogging activities are still allowed outside and around the park, ” he said.

In May last year, DBKL had to close Taman Tasik Titiwangsa after visitors disobeyed the rules and Covid-19 SOP including having picnics and using the children’s playground sets.