Some outdoor businesses permitted to reopen Friday

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Golf courses, marinas, guided fishing trips and privately owned campgrounds can reopen starting Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday.

The move to lift restrictions on businesses related to certain outdoor activities was made to offer residents a way to maintain their physical and mental health, Wolf said.

The businesses are required to follow updated life-sustaining business guidance issued by the Wolf administration to include specifics for how to resume activities while prioritizing public health and safety.

Campgrounds in state parks will remain closed through May 14. 

“Pennsylvanians have remained resilient throughout this COVID-19 crisis, and as we successfully continue to flatten the curve to protect our physical health, it is critical that we also focus on our physical and mental health during these extraordinary times,” Wolf said. “As the weather warms and daylight lengthens, enjoying time outdoors is an important way to manage stress.

“As we start to take measured, limited steps to reopen our commonwealth, reopening these industries will help to rebuild our economy and strengthen our mental health.”

According to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 45% of adults across the country reported their mental health has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over COVID-19 with the burden likely to continue even as the pandemic’s threat diminishes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance on visiting parks and recreational facilities. These guidelines must be followed statewide by businesses and when engaging in outdoor activity while the state disaster declaration remains in effect. 

The guidelines will ensure the safety of individuals and families engaging in outdoor activities, and adherence will help slow the spread of COVID-19.

• Stay close to home. Residents are encouraged to enjoy permitted outdoor recreational activities within their community and avoid crowding popular destinations.

• Practice social distancing. Maintain the recommended minimum 6 feet apart from fellow recreationists. People are encouraged to wear masks or protective garments that cover the nose and mouth any time they go outside. If a parking lot at a park is full or there are too many people on the same trail, find an alternative. Cross the street to avoid running directly past another runner or wait longer at a golf hole for a fellow golfer to move forward.

• Minimize risk to others. People should only go out if they feel healthy and have not been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

• Practice good hygiene. Wash hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Avoid surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs and handrails.

• Have a plan: Create a safety plan before heading outdoors. Explain to children the need to keep their distance from others, even if they happen to see a friend while outside. Discuss with partners, social distancing while on the golf course. Think through how to avoid other runners when waiting to safely cross a street at the same time.

“Practicing social distancing takes a little planning and patience, but it is necessary if we want to continue to flatten the curve while ensuring that Pennsylvanians have opportunities to de-stress and get exercise,” Wolf said. “It’s critical that all Pennsylvanians adhere to the safety guidelines to allow for these outdoor activities to remain available to the public.”

The administration continues to eye May 8 as the target date to reopen the northwest and north-central regions of the state to a larger degree. It remains unclear when southwestern Pennsylvania could reopen as there are a variety of metrics the state Department of Health will consider before reopening each region.

The DOH reports 885 new cases of coronavirus for a new total of 42,050 cases. There were just 47 new deaths, for a new total of 1,597 fatalities from the illness. 

Those figures represent a significant drop in both categories.

Though the number of cases of the virus now includes probable cases, the death count is limited to confirmed cases only.

Allegheny County now has 1,224 cases, an increase of 13 patients, and six new deaths, bringing that total to 79.

Fayette County has had no increases since Sunday. There have been a total of 79 cases and four deaths.

Washington County added six new cases for a total of 107 patients, and the county has reported no new deaths. There have been two fatalities.

After a large increase of patients over the weekend, Westmoreland County added just three new cases Monday for a total of 377 and, according to the DOH, there have been no more deaths and the total remains at 19. However, Westmoreland County Coroner Ken Bacha reports three additional deaths, which brings the total he is tracking to 30.