California changed its rules overnight Wednesday to allow outdoor playgrounds to stay open in regions under strict stay-home orders, apparently swayed by broad criticism that shutting them down would harm children who have few options to safely romp outside.
On its website, the state said playgrounds could stay open to “facilitate physically distanced personal health and wellness through outdoor exercise.” Ali Bay, a spokesperson for California’s Department of Public Health, said in an email that the change was new as of Wednesday morning and the department is working to share the news more broadly.
Local health departments can still enact stricter rules and keep the playgrounds closed, but Los Angeles County and Long Beach both said Wednesday afternoon they would allow them to open. In a statement, Long Beach said playgrounds would be open starting Thursday, Dec. 10.
“Those who choose to use playgrounds should practice physical distancing, wear face coverings and avoid touching one’s face, especially after touching playground surfaces,” the statement said. “The City urges parents to speak with their children about these protocols prior to using a playground and also use hand sanitizer in between activities.”
The decision to close playgrounds had brought Gov. Gavin Newsom under heavy criticism when the administration has repeatedly said being outdoors is safer than indoor operations and there is little evidence of virus spread on play structures.
Playground advocates said children need fresh air and exercise for their emotional and physical health, and many don’t have access to private backyards. Fraught parents also need a place to take their cooped-up kids, advocates said.
Much of the state’s 40 million residents are under this latest round of stay-home orders, although several counties in the San Francisco Bay Area chose to implement their own voluntary orders independent of the state. The voluntary order for San Francisco, Santa Clara, Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda counties also shuttered playgrounds.
But on Twitter, San Francisco Mayor London Breed said that she was happy to see the state had changed its order and said city playgrounds would reopen tomorrow after closing earlier this week.
“Outdoor activity is important for all of our physical and mental health, especially children,” she said. “But it is imperative that we continue to avoid gatherings with people you don’t live with and wear a mask.”
Long Beach Post Breaking News Editor Jeremiah Dobruck contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that Los Angeles County and Long Beach will allow playgrounds to open.