After months of restrictions on outdoor activities within the state and its cities, the state of California have gradually eased up on restrictions by allowing businesses and commercial spaces to open and this recently included playgrounds across urban and residential areas.
Below are the restrictions that the Government of California have put in place for playgrounds within the state and these restrictions can be adopted by countries, cities, community playground managers and commercial playgrounds across the world:
- Always Wear Face Masks – Face masks over the mouth and nose are required for everyone 2 years of age or older with caregiver supervision at all times to ensure face mask use.
- Avoid Crowding – Do not use the playground when different households are unable to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or when the capacity limit of [number of children and number of adults] has been reached.
- Monitor Children Even More – Caregivers must monitor to keep adults and children from different households at least 6 feet apart.
- Avoid Crowded Times – Consider coming on different times or days to avoid wait times and potential crowded times.
- Strictly No Eating and Drinking – No eating or drinking in playground, to ensure face masks are worn at all times.
- Washing Hands and Sanitation – Wash or sanitize hands before and after using the playground.
- People Who are Discouraged to go to Playgrounds – Elderly and persons with underlying medical conditions should avoid playground when others are present
- Setting Time Limits – Limit visit to 30 min per day when others are present.
Additionally, the state has provided guidelines for playground operators in observing new protocols for the health and safety of children:
- An adult must actively supervise each child at all times to make sure that children two years of age or older keep their face covering over their nose and mouth and stay 6 feet away from adults and children outside their household.
- Children who are supervised by the same adult must stay together in the same play area or play structure at all times, to allow active supervision.
- If an infant or child requires attention (nursing, diapering) that precludes an adult from actively supervising other children using the playground, the adult should ask the other children to leave the play structure/area and stay by the adult’s side until needed care is complete.
- People standing outside the playground, including people waiting to enter the playground, should remain 6 feet away from areas of the playground used by children and adults.
- Maintain six-foot distancing between children and adults from different households including children using or waiting to use play structures or play areas, and families waiting to enter the playground.
- Increase cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, daily as practicable.
- To the extent feasible, provide handwashing stations or sanitizer to facilitate hand hygiene, especially during times of heavy usage. Use a hand sanitizer containing (60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol). Never use hand sanitizers with methanol due to its high toxicity to both children and adults.
- Post the maximum number of children allowed at the entrance of each playground.
- Determine and post the maximum occupancy of each play structure, (e.g., climbing structures, slides, swings, spinning structures, and sand areas) with 6 foot vertical and horizontal distancing.
- Determine and post the maximum occupancy for supervising adults to ensure that each adult can maintain six feet of distance from other adults and children.
- Provide directions on how to wait in line when maximum playground occupancy has been reached.
10.Mark playgrounds to help children and adults maintain 6 foot distancing.
11. Mark spaces for families to stand while waiting to enter the playground. The spaces should be far enough apart to allow 6 feet of distance between households.
- For play structures or play areas that can hold more than one child while allowing 6 foot distancing:
- Post the maximum number of children allowed on each structure/in each area to allow 6 foot distancing vertically and horizontally.
- For play structures or areas that can hold more than 1 child, consider marking with tape or other visual indicators to help children assess whether they are 6 feet apart.
- Mark designated spaces 6 feet apart for children to stand while waiting to use a play structure/area.
Additional Considerations
If there is a pre-scheduled activity that will access the playground, the playground must be closed to the broader public during that time.
The guidelines can be repurposed and be used as a basis when playground management are crafting their own guidelines to match their cities’ restrictions on playground operations and social protocols.
iREC Corporation is a commercial playground manufacturer and a supplier of play equipment. The company remains committed in providing a safe and healthy playground environment to operators and its clients. We can maximize the space and customize the setup of playground structures to comply with city and government protocols on playgrounds while being able to fulfil your requirements. Contact us today for inquiries: +63 047 250 2779 / +63 047 251 3139 or email sales@irec.ph to get in touch with our sales team.