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Outdoor gyms, parks remain open under California's new regional stay-at-home order

Playgrounds will be closed under new health order.
Virus Outbreak California
Posted at 3:02 PM, Dec 06, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-06 19:18:54-05

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — While California's new regional stay-at-home order forces many business sectors to close or adjust restrictions, the state is encouraging residents to continue outdoor recreation safely.

In the new order, the state says, "to promote and protect the physical and mental well-being of people in California, outdoor recreation facilities may continue to operate." The order adds that outdoor recreation facilities cannot sell food or drink on-site.

Overnight stays at campgrounds are also banned. According to San Diego County, campgrounds are open for day-use but county community centers, gyms, teen centers, and nature centers will be closed.

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California's order encourages residents to safely enjoy parks, the beach, hiking, walking, or bike riding with members of their own household.

Gyms will be allowed to operate outdoors only under the order, while still meeting COVID-19 safety guidelines for outdoor recreation facilities.

"Gyms in counties in a region that is impacted by the order must stop indoor operations," California's website states. "Outdoor gyms meet the essential workforce definition of an outdoor recreational facility for the purpose of facilitating personal health through physically distanced outdoor exercise and may continue operations."

In the City of San Diego, golf courses and pools that are already open can stay open, but reservations will be required.

While parks and preserves remain open, playgrounds — outdoor and indoor — must close under the health order. Though at times outdoors, museums, zoos, aquariums, and family entertainment centers must also close.

Outdoor recreation facilities will still require social distancing and mask-wearing, county and state public health officials say.

The new regional stay-at-home order will last for at least three weeks starting Dec. 6 at 11:59 p.m., until the county is approved to move back to the state's blueprint for reopening tier system.