San Rafael, CA – Starting June 1, those seeking recreation and exercise at Marin County’s local parks, beaches, or open space preserves will be able to drive and park there. The action is part of the measured reopening of facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marin’s Public Health Officer, Dr. Matt Willis, issued a new public health order May 29 lifting all previous restrictions on motorized access to parks and beaches in Marin. The new order supersedes the May 15 order and provides local jurisdictions the authority to limit or prohibit motorized access as appropriate. In addition, portions of park facilities with high-touch equipment or that encourage gathering – including playgrounds, gym equipment, climbing walls, benches, picnic areas, dog parks, pools, and barbeque areas – will remain closed.
Residents are strongly encouraged to verify the status of local parks and remaining restrictions with their local jurisdictions. Marin County Parks has curated a status list of its park locations in Marin County. In addition, One Tam maintains a similar page covering regional, state, and federal recreational lands.
While certain aspects of the parks closure order have been loosened, Marin’s facial coverings order is still in effect, and residents should remain vigilant in limiting the spread of COVID-19. Marin County Public Health recommends frequent handwashing or use of hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available, staying home when showing symptoms of illness, limiting unnecessary travel around the county and greater Bay Area, and continuing to physically distance at least 6 feet from someone from outside a person’s household.
Willis also issued an new public health order continuing restrictions on the use of short-term lodging facilities. Such facilities are vacation rentals, short-term rentals, timeshares, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and other lodging facilities rented for 30 days or less.
Under the order, short-term lodging facilities within the County of Marin are to cease all operations except to provide:
- Lodging for the county's homeless population;
- Lodging for county residents who have been displaced and cannot return to their residence because there is a person residing at their residence that must isolate or quarantine or is at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19;
- Lodging for county residents who need to isolate or quarantine;
- Lodging to support health care operations, essential infrastructure, essential businesses, and essential governmental functions as defined in the May 15 public health order (lodging for traveling nurses or government contractors, for example);
- Lodging for county residents facing immediate displacement from their primary residence due to safety, sanitation, or habitability issues (such as inhabitable living conditions, violence, or threats of violence);
- Minimum basic operations as defined in the May 15 order.
Both orders go into effect at 11:59 p.m. May 31 and will continue to be in effect, extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended.
More details about current public health orders in effect are available on the Coronavirus In Marin website.