Rockland County Executive Ed Day urged Governor Andrew Cuomo to close all state parks within the county in order to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

Rockland, along with the surrounding New York City suburban counties, has been considered a hotspot during the pandemic.

There are 8,335 confirmed cases of the virus in the county, according to the state Department of Health.  

Day wrote that keeping parks open during the pandemic “flies in the face of reason” and could continue to spread the virus.

“I am asking that you please immediately order State parks in Rockland County closed at this time,” Day wrote. “I would further request that the NYS Park Police step up patrols of the State parks in Rockland County to ensure compliance with the closures. Given the circumstances, it would make sense to close state parks throughout the state as well, or – at minimum – throughout the downstate region.”

State officials have kept parks open during the pandemic and have even encouraged people to undergo solitary forms of exercise like running or walking. But they also have taken steps to minimize risk at parks, such as closing playgrounds.

County-run parks in Rockland, meanwhile, have shuttered parks, playgrounds, trials, boat ramps, restrooms, parking lots and offices. Barricades have been placed at entrances and trailheads.

Day in his letter to Cuomo pointed to New Jersey parks closing; the state borders Rockland County.

“You have stressed the importance of coordinating efforts with other states, including during your joint press conference today with the governors from the states surrounding New York,” Day wrote. “It makes little sense for New Jersey State parks to be closed, but for New York’s to remain open.”