California Reverses Course, Allows Playgrounds to Reopen After Facing Backlash

California officials on Wednesday reversed course and are now allowing playgrounds in the state to reopen, following backlash from state lawmakers and community members.

According to the state's COVID-19 website, "Playgrounds may remain open to facilitate physically distanced personal health and wellness through outdoor exercise."

"Playgrounds located on schools that remain open for in-person instruction, and not accessible by the general public, may remain open and must follow guidance for schools and school-based programs," the state's updated guidance read.

The updated guidance comes after California Governor Gavin Newsom faced backlash from lawmakers in the state and parents, over his new regional stay-at-home order, which ordered the closure of playgrounds in certain counties that reached high-capacity levels in intensive care units, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Shortly after the new regional stay-at-home order was announced, a dozen lawmakers in the state signed a letter urging Newsom to reconsider his order.

"Playgrounds in community parks provide a critical resource for children and families to access outdoor space, exercise, and relax," the letter, which was posted to Twitter by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez. "It is necessary for the mental and physical health of children to have opportunities to expand their physical energy and play."

The letter continued, "especially in lower-income communities, families may have little to no outdoor space of their own available. Public playgrounds provide a shared outdoor resource for families without having to travel far, pay entrance fees, or need additional outdoor gear. The indefinite closure of playgrounds further disadvantages children who have limited other options for outdoor recreation and physical activity."

Following the updated guidance, Nathan Fletcher, supervisor of San Diego's District 4 county thanked Newsom "for making this important adjustment to help our kids."

"Now we must all be responsible and safe!" The tweet said.

While speaking with Newsweek, Fletcher said, "I support the governor's decision to allow them to remain open. Dealing with COVID is a very challenging and difficult situation and you have to be willing to make adjustments as you go, and I think the governor has been nimble throughout this, he's been willing to get feedback and input and I think this was the right decision on his part and I support it."

"It is vitally important that we stop the mixing of households and we take action to face the really dire spread of COVID but I think when it comes to outdoor playgrounds, there's a way that it can be done safely and responsibly," Fletcher told Newsweek.

Newsom and California health officials were first prompted to issue the new regional stay-at-home order following a surge in COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations. According to data from the state's department of health, as of Tuesday, there were more than 23,000 new cases and at least 112 new deaths.

California now has over 1.3 million confirmed cases of the virus and at least 20,047 deaths.

Newsweek was directed to the updated guidance on playgrounds after reaching out to Newsom's office.