Westport Considers Park Restrictions As Coronavirus Cases Rise

WESTPORT, CT — With coronavirus cases rising in Westport and the state, local officials are looking at ways of mitigating the spread of COVID-19, including "reinstating earlier COVID-related policies at Westport parks, fields and recreation facilities," said First Selectman Jim Marpe.

According to Marpe and Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice, new cases of the coronavirus in town are "the result of a number of recent large gatherings, parties and sports activities that involve students or their parents."

As of Thursday, 12 new coronavirus cases were reported in Westport, bringing the total number of infections in town since the beginning of the pandemic to 537, according to the Westport Weston Health District.

In the Westport school system, 29 students and staffers have contracted the virus and are in isolation, district officials said on Thursday. As a result, nearly 500 in the school community are under quarantine.

On Thursday, and again on Friday, Bedford Middle School, Coleytown Middle School and Staples High School were on full remote learning due to the coronavirus and reduced staffing at the schools, according to Scarice.

"We continue to see disturbing proof of these activities," Marpe said. "Unfortunately, they include images of young people in close contact with one another and without face coverings. I have committed to the Superintendent that Town officials and I will work closely with the schools to promote guidance and regulations that will curb these activities. To that end, I have requested Westport Parks and Recreation Director Jen Fava to research reinstating earlier COVID-related policies at Westport parks, fields and recreation facilities."

Earlier in the year, capacity was limited at parks and recreational facilities in town, though officials did not elaborate on what adjustments might be made.