Those looking to escape the coronavirus stress by getting off the grid and camping at a state park received the expected bad news Wednesday morning, when the California State Parks took that option off the table.
The agency announced that it is closing all campgrounds in the state park system to slow the spread of COVID-19. The announcement comes amid other state and local efforts to stop the spread.
California State Parks Temporarily Closes All Campgrounds in the State Park System: Non-campground outdoor areas of parks, including trails and beaches remain open. Read the release here: https://t.co/49hJFQeJV4#Covid19 #Coronavirus #CAStateParks pic.twitter.com/b7CarbM82Q
— CA State Parks (@CAStateParks) March 18, 2020
Non-campground outdoor areas of the parks, including trails and beaches, will remain open, spokesperson Bryan May said in a statement.
“Visitors are reminded to practice social distancing and maintain at least 6 feet between other visitors and anyone who is coughing or sneezing,” May said. “Restrooms also remain open, and visitors are advised to take soap for hand washing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available.
The move comes a week after the state parks temporarily suspended guided tours and large events, and also closed visitor centers and museums.
A growing number of counties have issued “shelter in place” orders, including almost every one in the Bay Area, plus Sacramento, Santa Cruz, Monterey and some in Southern California. The stay-at-home order does allow for people to go outside as long as they maintain social distancing.
