Thames Path at Old Royal Naval College gates, October 2018
There is now no access to the river at the Old Royal Naval College

Two sections of the Thames Path in Greenwich have been closed to make sure people keep more than two metres apart during the coronavirus emergency.

Walkers are banned from using the narrow sections of path in front of the Old Royal Naval College, between Cutty Sark Gardens and Park Row, and on the west side of the Greenwich Peninsula between Enderby Wharf and Drawdock Road, close to the Intercontinental hotel.

After being closed for a spell on Sunday because of the large number of people using it, the Greenwich Foot Tunnel is to remain open “only for use by key workers and we will have checks and CCTV in place”, Greenwich Council said in its daily Covid-19 email update.

The Thames Path has been a popular location for people to take exercise during the lockdown, but despite extensive redevelopment in recent years it remains narrow in places, making keeping two metres apart from other people an impossible ask.

Thames Path at Victoria Deep Water Terminal during a previous closure
The Thames Path is narrow in places, despite extensive redevelopment

In Greenwich town centre, access to the river is further restricted as the Old Royal Naval College grounds have been closed to the public.

Greenwich Park is remaining open, but a Royal Parks spokesperson appealed to the public yesterday “not to come for a picnic or to soak up the rays”.

“The parks are strictly open for exercise only. We know how crucial it is for people’s physical and mental wellbeing to have access to these valuable green spaces, and we’re doing everything we can keep them open for those who need them. But we’ve got to work together to follow the rules or we risk losing them completely.”

CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

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