Playgrounds, More Businesses Set To Reopen In City Of Concord

CONCORD, CA — The city of Concord's 19 outdoor playgrounds are set to open Thursday under new guidelines issued this week by the state of California.

Staff with the city of Concord's Public Works Department were at parks Wednesday to inspect and prepare all playgrounds, which have been closed since spring when the coronavirus outbreak began.

City Spokeswoman Jennifer Ortega said rules were being posted on signs at all playgrounds in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, and parents and caregivers are responsible for protecting their children and themselves by following these rules:

• Wear a Mask
• Maintain Distance
• No Food or Drink
• Wash Hands (Remember to bring hand sanitizer to the playground)
• Know When to Stay Home (If ill or if particularly vulnerable to COVID)
• Share Our Space (Wait your turn, let others have a turn)

"The City is asking all playground visitors to 'Stay safe and play safe,'" Ortega said.

More Reopenings As County Moves To Red Tier

Contra Costa Health Services announced Tuesday that thanks to recent progress being made in the fight against COVID-19 — the disease caused by the coronavirus — the county has qualified to move into the less restrictive "substantial" red tier of the state's four-tiered, color-coded reopening system, Ortega said.

Moving into the red tier, Ortega said, means the following sectors can reopen in the city, with modifications:

• Places of worship (churches), restaurants, movie theaters and museums can operate indoors at 25 percent capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
• Gyms can reopen indoors at 10 percent capacity
• All personal care services, including massage, can move indoors
• Indoor shopping malls can operate at 50 percent maximum occupancy (instead of 25 percent). Food courts can also open following the state’s guidelines for restaurants.
• Indoor retail stores can now operate at 50 percent capacity (instead of 25 percent)
• Outdoor playgrounds

"Health officials caution that COVID-19 is still circulating in the community and people should continue to take all the same precautions health officials have been advising for months: wear face coverings in public, maintain physical distancing, wash hands frequently and stay home if you’re sick," Contra Costa Health Services said.