Newsom Signs Order Allowing Playgrounds To Reopen
CALIFORNIA — California children barred from using school and park playgrounds since March are finally going to be allowed to play again.
Outdoor playgrounds are allowed to reopen to the public if they certain guidelines, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health announced Monday.
Following Newsom's stay-at-home order in March, playgrounds and other outdoor recreational facilities were closed in an effort to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Earlier this month on Sept. 16, numerous state lawmakers signed a letter authored by San Diego Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, asking Newsom to reopen playground and outdoor facilities, citing these spaces as "a critical resource for children and families to access outdoor space, exercise, and relax."
On Monday, Newsom's administration released guidelines for outdoor playground and outdoor recreational facility reopenings. Guidelines include maintaining social distancing, wearing masks at all times, and limiting visits to 30 minutes per day.
Additionally, adults are asked to supervise children at all times to ensure adherence to the guidelines.
Local officials overseeing the playgrounds must post the rules and park capacity at the entrance of the playgrounds.
"Playgrounds don't make money ... but they keep our kids happy and healthy, physically and mentally," Gonzalez posted on Twitter.
— Patch editor Bea Karnes and Bay City News contributed to this story
This article originally appeared on the Fremont Patch
