California reverses course, now allow playgrounds to remain open

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The state of California has reversed course and is now allowing outdoor playgrounds to be open during the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom had said that playgrounds would have to close if counties reached high ICU capacities.

But on Wednesday, the state's COVID-19 website stated: "Playgrounds may remain open to facilitate physically distanced personal health and wellness through outdoor exercise. Playgrounds located on schools that remain open for in-person instruction, and not accessible by the general public, may remain open and must follow guidance for schools and school-based programs."

It's not immediately clear if all the Bay Area county health orders, which preemptively issued new stay-at-home orders, will heed to this new allowance.

Both San Francisco and Marin counties announced they will align with the state's revised restrictions and open playgrounds. 

"Outdoor activity is important for all of our physical and mental health, especially children," San Francisco Mayor London Breed wrote in a tweet.

Breed said the re-opening is especially important because most schools are closed. That means all of the city's 180 playgrounds will reopen.

"We're now updating our guidelines and playgrounds in SF will open by tomorrow," Breed said.  

While the playgrounds are set to officially reopen Thursday, we found parents and kids at parks the day before.

At Pioneer Park in Novato, one three-year-old was back on familiar turf Wednesday.

"This guy loves to dig and be in the sandbox. So if there's a sandbox he is going to be there," said his mother Ruthie Haneda.

In San Jose, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services tweeted that all parks are closed effective immediately. KTVU has not confirmed what the rest of Santa Clara County cities plan to do. 

Playgrounds had only re-opened in October before shutting down again this week.

Several high-powered critics had vocally complained about the playground order, saying coronavirus is not widely contracted outside on play structures.

"Particularly in our most underserved neighborhood. These spaces are absolutely vital from a public health perspective in getting our kids healthy," said Phil Ginsburg head of the SF Recreation & Parks Department.

Dr. Vanila Singh, former chief medical officer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the state was right to listen to the public.

"Sometimes you are in an echo chamber and you can convince yourself of an action and forget the impact on the real world," she said.

But officials stress that people have to obey the rules or else the playgrounds could end up closed again.

"Do not visit a playground with anyone not in your household. Do not arrange playdates," cautioned Breed.

The State of California has issued the following guidelines for visiting outdoor playgrounds and asks that visitors comply with these requirements. 

• Face masks worn over the mouth and nose are required for everyone two 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 six feet or when the capacity limit has been reached.
• Caregivers must monitor to keep adults and children from different households at least six feet apart.
• Families should consider visiting playgrounds on different times or days to avoid wait times and potentially crowded areas.
• No eating or drinking is allowed in playground area, in order to ensure face masks are worn at all times.
• Wash or sanitize hands before and after using the playground.
• Elderly persons or those with underlying medical conditions should avoid playgrounds when others are present.
• Limit visit to 30 minutes per day when others are present.