Orlando leaders to remove all basketball hoops from city parks to enforce social distancing

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando leaders are taking new steps to try to keep people from getting together at local parks.

The city is now taking down basketball hoops as part of the effort to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Every single day I’ve been here, there have been people playing basketball on the court,” said Orlando resident Dorothy Douglas. “So, I thought it was strange today that there's no one there.”

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At Blue Jacket Park, the courts are empty because city workers have begun taking down all of the hoops from all outdoor basketball courts at parks throughout the city.

The move is to enforce social distancing in response to the pandemic.

City workers began taking down the hoops over the weekend and a city spokesperson said all hoops should be removed in just a few days.

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Drinking fountains and exercise equipment cannot be used until further notice.

Officials said the hoops will be replaced once the stay-at-home order has been lifted.

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