Californians Turn to Outdoor Recreation Amid Stay-At-Home Order

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN9mbc-Fa9k

When California went into its first COVID-19 lockdown back in March much of the state closed but one thing that remained open was parks, hiking trials, waterways, and other outdoor places. With these places remaining open it let people participate in outdoor recreation and the state even encouraged people to do outdoor activities for mental and physical health. Now with large portions of the state and most of the state’s population going back into a lockdown, the state has again let outdoor recreation continue, and with gyms, schools, offices, and indoor hangout spots (like coffee shops) being closed many people have turned to outdoor recreation and outdoor spaces to stay healthy and continue their social lives.

Now in California, outdoor recreation facilities have provided Californians with the feel of normalcy and freedom from COVID-19 due to many indoor activities and pre-pandemic activities being allowed to continue in outdoor open spaces. The most noticeable return to normalcy that happens when Californians are participating in outdoor recreation or outdoor activities is that masks are not required if you stay 6 feet away from people you do not know. This is a very big exemption in a state that has a strict masks mandate. Another return to normalcy that outdoor recreation allows in the state is going to the gym. Gyms in California are closed for indoor workouts but can reopen in large outdoor spaces that allow gym goers to remain 6-feet apart, and under California regulations when a gym moves outdoors it is considered outdoor recreation which allows them to avoid the gym closure orders. Also, close interaction sports like tennis, golf, soccer, basketball, and baseball can continue if they take place outdoors in a park or in an outdoor sports facility.

Even with many of the state’s COVID-19 rules and regulations being relaxed when something is considered “outdoor recreation” there are still rules that people, parks, and facilities must follow which keeps it from a total return to normalcy. These rules include closures of visitor's centers, ban on large parties or gatherings in parks, and a ban on overnight camping. Outdoor recreation rules also change from county to county and city to city due to many cities and counties having different COVID-19 rules and with many parks and outdoor spaces being operated by city and county governments.

With many rules being relaxed under outdoor recreation getting outside and being active has become an escape from reality for many Californians, and with theme parks, movie theaters, and night life being closed indefinitely, outdoor spaces will continue to be an escape from reality from the COVID-19 pandemic for Californians.