Beautiful Saturday Afternoon On Roosevelt Island Today - RIOC Closes Southpoint Park For Failure To Observe Coronavirus Social Distancing

People were out and about on Roosevelt Island this pleasant sunny Sunday afternoon.

Roosevelt Island is fortunate to have a lot of open space particularly on a nice afternoon like today. People are out, most wearing masks and keeping social distance @cornell_tech campus and outdoor cafe area. pic.twitter.com/nn0f9crwnR

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) April 25, 2020

“Most” wearing masks but many without.

— Gloria Herman (@gloriaetherman) April 25, 2020

Roosevelt Island Cherry Blossoms on East River Promenade across from Cornell Tech Today pic.twitter.com/XnvSiB8aAL

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) April 25, 2020

After 40 days I decided to go out for necessities and enjoy the weather. It's no better than it was 40 days ago, except more people are wearing masks, but not all. Not social distancing being practiced. get it together #NewYork #NYTough #StaySafeStayHealthy #rooseveltisland #nyc

— Jonn Nubian ® (@JonnNubian) April 25, 2020

But apparently people were not observing Social Distancing at Southpoint Park. This evening around 6 PM, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced:

Due to the Social Distancing rules, South Point Park will be closed, for the reminder of the day. This will help enforce Social Distancing and stop the spread. Everyone remain safe and wear your face mask.

I asked RIOC Public Information Officer Terrence McCauley:

What was happening at Southpoint Park to close it. How many people were there.

Is this just for remaining part of today

Mr McCauley replied:

t is just for the remainder of today, but will will close the park whenever we see social distancing is not being followed. I’ve asked PSD for details about today’s incident.

UPDATE 4/26 - From the Roosevelt Island Twitterverse:

During these difficult times #Covid_19, maybe there should be a restriction on the number of visitors entering @Rooseveltisland 🌴. Bring back the check-points by @motorgate 👮🏾. Stop ✋🏾 joggers 🏃‍♂️ with no facial mask 😷 on the Island. They can exercise in their own neighborhood

— Judith Alemayehu (@JudithAlemayehu) April 26, 2020

Maybe tourists should be turned away at the Tram, Bridge, and Ferry?

— Gloria Herman (@gloriaetherman) April 26, 2020

come on people this isn’t disneyland people live on roosevelt island it’s not a theme park. protect yourselves and the residents please

— Andeera (@Andeera33) April 26, 2020

We need more space to distance in tho. This is nonsensical. There are major physical and mental health issues with staying inside. How are all 14000 people supposed to distance on Cornell Tech, Lighthouse and Rivercross alone

— Khadijah (@UpFromTheCracks) April 26, 2020

Does it make sense to close an additional park on the Island so there is less space?

— Thierry Rolling (@T19R84) April 26, 2020

Wow..not good. I saw quite a lot of people all over the island without masks on. Some people were not practicing social distancing. We still get visitors coming over on the Tram and Subway. Maybe PSD should go around and do patrols.

— Jean M. Shea (@jeanmnyc) April 26, 2020

We don’t know yet @RIOCny reason for closing Roosevelt Island Southpoint Park for yesterday afternoon other than RIOC says lack of social distancing. I’ve asked for more specifics and will update when info received https://t.co/2VNVPcY3VG

— Roosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) April 26, 2020