Dublin's parks are to have special times reserved for over 70s and other cocooners from tomorrow.
The measure is being introduced to cover more than 100 green spaces across the four local authority areas.
The parks will be reserved between the hours of 1.30pm and 3.30pm for over 70s and those who have been cocooning because of serious underlying medical conditions.
Cocooners are being advised to go out for "short walks" but to avoid personal contact and to maintain social distancing.
Concerns have been expressed about denying access to parks for children who are homeschooling during the week for families at weekends.
However, Philomena Poole, chief executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, said the morning was going to be reserved as shopping time for cocooners and is also a time when joggers tend to use the parks.
She said the measure is being introduced as a way of providing vulnerable people with a time they can use the parks and be unlikely to meet other people.
"Its about having a little bit of confidence if you have been inside the house for such a long time and now you are being asked to go outside but please don't have contact with other people.
"We wanted to see what we could do to contribute to that," she said.
The measure does not have legal force but is an appeal to park users by the four Dublin councils.
Read more:
Latest coronavirus stories
Many over 70s were today enjoying their first day out of their homes in nearly six weeks.
Sadie Rogerson and Marie McDonald went for morning walks together for 60 years in Dún Laoghaire but today was their first outdoors trip since the introduction of restrictions.
"It is heaven," said Sadie, who was walking in the People's Park near her home. Her friend Marie agreed with the new park restriction as she is concerned that some people are not complying with social distancing.
It comes as Dublin City Council has threatened to close two north inner city parks - Mountjoy Square and Diamond Park - because of people refusing to comply with social distancing.
Signs have been placed at both parks saying that they will be closed if people continue to play football and other group games and either meet or sit in groups.
Council management warned in a memo to councillors that it was under pressure to close the parks adding "despite considerable intervention by An Garda Síochána and parks staff, there are serious ongoing problems in certain city council parks in relation to compliance with social distancing requirements.
"To date we have resisted pressure to close parks on the basis that closure would penalise the majority of park users who are fully compliant".
There are 15 public parks across Fingal, Dublin City, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and over 100 neighourhood green spaces.
These have remained open during the Covid-19 restrictions but carparks and playgrounds will remain closed.
Dublin City Council had to close Merrion Square Park on a number of occasions recently at weekends and during sunny weather because of overcrowding.
Council management had appealed to the Office of Public Works to open some of its facilities to reduce the pressure - St Stephen's Green was closed in the early stages of the restrictions.
The OPW also manages the Phoenix Park and the Iveagh Gardens among others.
The Phoenix Park has remained open but gardaí at checkpoints have advised motorists they are only allowed to drive through without stopping.
The OPW said St Stephen's Green reopened on 24 April following consultation with gardaí and Government bodies.
Click here for a full list of OPW parks that are open
