Coronavirus Restrictions Lifted On Some Outdoor Activities: RivCo

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County has decided to ease some coronavirus restrictions that have prevented people from enjoying certain outdoor activities like golf, tennis and access to open space.

Monday it was announced that private and public golf courses in Riverside County — previously forced to close because of the coronavirus pandemic — will now be allowed to operate, but with certain restrictions under a revised order.

The county further clarified that parks and trails will remain open, including parking lots. Social distancing and face coverings must be maintained at all times.

Allowed outdoor activities include running, hiking, biking and equestrian activities and other non-contact outdoor activities such as tennis and golf.

“Play is being cautiously reopened for observation,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer.

“After consulting with public health officials and local leadership, we have made modifications for golf and other forms of recreational activity, such as use of parks, trails and outdoor areas for hiking, biking, pickleball and tennis to resume,” said Board Chair V. Manuel Perez, Fourth District Supervisor. “With proper safety guidelines, our residents can benefit from healthy activities that promote physical exercise, wellness and behavioral health so long as physical distancing is practiced. We will continue to listen and base decisions on thorough review, best practices, data and science.”

Outdoor activities that remain prohibited include the use of picnic tables, playgrounds, team sports or other similar public events and gatherings, the county said.

Other restrictions include:

—Play shall be limited to foursomes that will be required to observe social distancing (six feet separation between players at all times).

—No caddies.

—No large gatherings, including fundraisers or tournaments, will be permitted before June 20, 2020.

—Face coverings, such as scarves, bandanas and neck gaiters, shall be worn by players and workers.

—No in-person dining will be allowed at clubhouses.

“Golf is an iconic part of our destination, our history and our economy,” said Scott White, chief operating officer for the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We sincerely appreciate the news that golf will be reopened to allow our residents the opportunity to return to the sport they love. It is imperative that we follow the orders outlined and not allow the coronavirus to return to the previous levels. We will continue to work with Riverside County with the goal to help reopen more tourism related businesses.”

The easing of restrictions may help promote healthful exercise among residents, and comes as some researchers from outside the region point to obesity as perhaps the biggest risk factor — outside of old age — in determining severe illness among COVID-19 patients. Read more about it here.

As of Monday afternoon, the number of COVID-19 cases in Riverside County stands at 2,847 and deaths rose to 85. People who've recovered from the virus reached 700, but 236 patients are hospitalized with the illness — 76 of them in ICU. The county has conducted 30,693 COVID-19 tests.

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