The City of Saint John closed city-owned playgrounds on Thursday in an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The move comes one day after a Global News story reported the city was keeping them open. “While we understand that the Chief Medical Officer of Health has not directed the closure of play structures we have been told that the decision can be made at the discretion of the city,” said Lisa Caissie, a spokesperson with the Saint John Emergency Measures Organization. [ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ] Cassie says temporary signage will be installed around play structures indicating the indefinite closure.