Ready, set, play!
Amid all of the restrictions and craziness of the pandemic, San Diego’s Mayor Kevin Faulconer has some good news for local residents: Playtime is coming back!
The pandemic has hit us all pretty hard in different ways and to different degrees. Being confined is less than ideal and puts a hefty damper on fun, especially if you’re a kid. Luckily, the kids of San Diego won’t have to wait much longer.
Following the Monday release of new state guidelines regarding outdoor recreational facilities, Mayor Faulconer tweeted the good news.
Playgrounds are coming back!
I’ve directed @CityofSanDiego staff to prepare playgrounds for a safe reopening based on new guidance just issued by the state in response to our bipartisan calls for common sense.
Stay tuned for official reopening dates at a park near you! https://t.co/aio8LR5BxY pic.twitter.com/lCO09JEyfL
— Kevin Faulconer (@Kevin_Faulconer) September 29, 2020
No dates have officially been announced for specific areas, but it is expected to be relatively soon, as local officials are already getting things in order to reopen as soon as possible.
Neighboring city Poway’s Mayor Steve Vaus seems to be just as excited for the reopening as the kids! According to an NBC 7 report, the mayor removed the caution tape himself at the brand new Valle Verde Park on his morning walk this past Tuesday.
Of course, safety is the biggest concern, and the California Department of Public Health has issued a list of specific guidelines. Planning on heading to your local playground when it opens?
Here are the eight rules you’ll need to follow:
- Face masks over the mouth and nose are required for everyone 2 years of age or older with caregiver supervision at all times to ensure face mask use.
- Do not use the playground when different households are unable to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or when the capacity limit has been reached.
- Caregivers must monitor to keep adults and children from different households at least 6 feet apart.
- Consider coming on different times or days to avoid wait times and potential crowded times.
- No eating or drinking in playground, to ensure face masks are worn at all times.
- Wash or sanitize hands before and after using the playground.
- Elderly and persons with underlying medical conditions should avoid playground when others are present.
- Limit visit to 30 min per day when others are present.
Facilities operators have also been instructed to take extra precautions, including marking playgrounds to help maintain social distancing, increasing the cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, as well as clearly posting visitor rules and the max number of children allowed in the playground.
For the full list of guidelines on the California Department of Public Health website, click here.
[Featured Image: bonandbon via Shutterstock]