San Diego County on Friday revised its Health Officer Order, further relaxing restrictions on recreational activities, including camping and the rentals of certain recreational equipment.
Effective May 9, businesses that rent recreational equipment, including bicycles, surfboards, boats, kayaks and other watercraft can reopen if, like other businesses allowed to reopen, they prepare a Safe Reopening Plan.
Groups renting equipment that can be used by multiple people have to be members of the same household. Rental facilities are required to sanitize all equipment with a disinfectant effective against the novel coronavirus after each use.
Additionally, local campgrounds can begin to reopen, but certain restrictions will apply. Campgrounds will have to operate at 50% of their regular capacity and occupants of individual campsites must be members of the same household.
Playgrounds and other campground amenities will not be available at this time. Local jurisdictions within the county may have their own camping restrictions, and residents should check the rules for the specific campsite before visiting.
Also under the revised orders, childcare facilities can increase the number of children from 10 to 12 children per group. Employees at childcare facilities are no longer required to wear face coverings.
While certain restrictions are being lifted, County officials are reminding residents that gatherings of any size are still banned. “People should stay at home as much as possible and not mingle with individuals who are not part of their own household,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Gathering restrictions remain in place to protect San Diegans from getting and spreading the virus.”
Additional Safety Measures for Essential Businesses
The revised health order also requires essential businesses that have been operating during the public health crisis to implement additional safety measures. They will be required to take the temperature of employees and not allow anyone with a temperature of 100 degrees or more into the workplace. If a thermometer is not available, businesses can screen for symptoms and should not allow in any employees who have a cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, or two or more of the following: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell.
