COVID-19 remains a threat, so self-monitored restrictions reduce risk
All of the City's 66 playgrounds are now open -- but everyone should use caution as high-touch shared surfaces and gathering places for crowds remain potential sources of virus transmission.
Those risks are always present at playgrounds, especially in flu season. But increased vigilance is needed for COVID-19, a disease for which there is neither vaccine nor treatment.
Anyone at these playgrounds -- or those at any park, campground, or public facility in California -- should follow state guidelines:
- Wear a face covering if you're 2 years of age or older
- Use playgrounds only when you can keep 6 feet of distance from anyone not in your household or stay within a capacity limit
- Consider alternate, less busy times
- Don't eat or drink while at playgrounds
- Wash or sanitize hands before and after use
- Limit use to 30 minutes
- If you are over age 65 or have underlying health conditions, avoid playgrounds altogether as you are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness.
Get a seasonal flu vaccine shot to further reduce the chance of getting infected or spreading potential flu viruses.
Come prepared to do your part, including leaving if crowds gather
These are unmonitored spaces. Parents and guardians will need to each do their own part. Everyone should be conscious of these rules -- especially the masks, half-hour limit and distancing -- and be prepared to leave should crowds gather.
In the event of a crowd that you should avoid, parents should come to playgrounds with a backup plan for an alternate destination.
These playground openings are possible because of declining rates of daily COVID-19 cases as well as testing positivity, metrics that allow the City, as an independent health jurisdiction, as well as the County to open these facilities.
Since the City and County moved into this less restrictive state tier on Tuesday, City Parks, Recreation and Waterfront staff have worked to personally inspect equipment at all of the City's 66 playgrounds. On Friday Oct. 16, they started at 4 a.m.
As activities open, be proactive about reducing your risk
Assess the risk of any public activity by asking three questions: Where will you go? Who will attend? What will happen? These questions should also help you avoid confined spaces, crowds and close contact with those outside your household.
Instead of doing all public activities, budget your risk by prioritizing which ones are the most important and forgoing others.
