{"id":106629,"date":"2020-09-03T16:45:55","date_gmt":"2020-09-03T23:45:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/69.46.6.243\/?p=106629"},"modified":"2020-09-03T16:45:55","modified_gmt":"2020-09-03T23:45:55","slug":"state-parks-advises-californians-to-plan-ahead-this-labor-day-weekend-amid-covid-19-and-wildfires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=106629","title":{"rendered":"State Parks Advises Californians to Plan Ahead This Labor Day Weekend Amid COVID-19 and Wildfires"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sacramento, CA…California State Parks advises Californians to plan ahead this Labor Day weekend since 46 units remain fully closed due to COVID-19<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0wildfires<\/a>. The department is also closing all state beaches in Monterey County and implementing full or partial vehicle access closures in Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz counties. Being prepared, abiding by the closures and following guidelines — such as wearing face coverings, practicing physical distancing and avoiding gatherings with people outside the immediate household — can help further slow the spread of COVID-19.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWith many activities limited during the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor public spaces have been essential to many Californians,\u201d said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. \u201cWe want to remind everyone that we all have the responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19, even in the outdoors. Your group should only include those within your immediate household. This means no large gatherings, picnics or parties. If there are too many people in your local outdoor destination to maintain the proper physical distance, please visit us at another time.\u201d<\/p>\n

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State Parks continues to work with local and state officials on a phased and regionally driven approach to increase access at park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved.<\/p>\n

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As with the Fourth of July weekend, temporary measures such as fully closing park units or restricting vehicular access at some state beaches will be implemented over this Labor Day weekend to reduce overcrowding.\u00a0The vehicular access closures mean that no\u00a0parking facilities are available to the public and parking on roadways is prohibited. Although beaches are open to local residents who can walk or bike into these public outdoor spaces\u2014provided they practice physical distancing and abide by new visitor guidelines\u2014congregating is not allowed. Please visit the webpage of your\u00a0local outdoor destination<\/a>\u00a0for details.<\/p>\n

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Below are the\u00a0safety measures State Parks is implementing over the Labor Day holiday weekend (September 4-7):<\/p>\n

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Full Closures<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Monterey County:\u00a0<\/strong>All beaches in Monterey County will be closed.<\/p>\n

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Vehicular Access Closures<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Santa Barbara County:<\/strong>\u00a0All beach parking lots will be closed. Beaches will be open only for active recreation and aquatic activities. Beach accessories such as shade structures and lounge chairs are not permitted during the holiday weekend. State campgrounds remain open.<\/p>\n

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Santa Cruz County<\/strong>: State beaches will be closed except from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Most state beach parking lots will be closed. Beach access is still available for aquatic activities outside of those hours \u2013 e.g. surfing, bodyboarding, etc. Parking availability at these state beaches will be extremely limited.<\/p>\n

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Other State Park Units\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

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State Parks will monitor visitation and physical distancing over this Labor Day weekend. Measures to modify operations, such as limited parking and closure of trails, will be taken where needed to\u00a0limit overcrowding at state park units that remain open to the public.\u00a0Current camping reservations at all\u00a0state\u00a0park\u00a0units\u00a0that remain open over the Labor Day weekend will be honored.<\/p>\n

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Here are\u00a010 tips to help reduce risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors and to stay safe during this Labor Day weekend:<\/p>\n

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  1. Stay Local:<\/strong>\u00a0Stay close to home to slow the spread of COVID-19. Do not travel if you are sick or someone in your household has had coronavirus in the last two weeks.<\/li>\n
  2. Plan Ahead:<\/strong>\u00a0Prior to leaving home,\u00a0check the webpage of the local outdoor destination<\/a>\u00a0you plan to visit to find out if it is open, if parking is available, if camping reservations can be booked and what visitor guidelines are in effect.<\/li>\n
  3. Stay Safer at 6 feet<\/strong>: No matter the recreational activity, maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Your guests should only include those within your immediate household. This means no gatherings, picnics or parties. Visitors are being asked to leave if there are too many people to allow for the required physical distance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n