Here's our original response, however we are working on new messaging now, upon approval I will share.
California's Response to COVID-19
With Governor Gavin Newsom's Stay-at-Home Order and the critical need to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and its divisions of Boating and Waterways (DBW) and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation, have implemented a number of safety measures to protect public health.
The State of California understands the public's need to connect to the outdoors, but activities requiring travel by vehicle to destination parks or beaches are not appropriate at this time. More than ever, staying local, enjoying local neighborhoods, and walking to parks is critical to the safety of individuals, families, communities and all who provide recreational outdoor experiences.
Below you will find a summary of DPR and DBW's COVID-19 actions to date:
Department of Parks and Recreation
To date, DPR has implemented the following safety measures in the state park system to support the state's efforts to slow down the spread of the pandemic disease:
Closed some parks fully, meaning all vehicular access, trails, beaches, coastal access, marinas and restrooms within these park units are closed.
- Closed vehicular access at all parks, including for off-highway vehicles and recreational boats.
- Closed all campgrounds, museums and visitor centers.
- Cancelled all events.
Some parks with vehicular closures remain open for locals provided that they practice safe, physical distancing of 6 feet or more and are walking to parks near their primary residences.
DPR is also working closely with local, county and public health officials, and assessing park operations on a daily basis to provide access to healthy outdoor options while emphasizing the need for safe, physical distancing. The department understands that local agencies each have unique operational considerations and strategies. As such, DPR is partnering with locals to align park operations and help the public understand and comply directives from local public health authorities.
For a list of all closures and up-to-date information on DPR's safety measures, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/FlattentheCurve.
Division of Boating and Waterways
As California's Boating Law Administrator, DBW is actively involved in ensuring the recreational boating community is informed of the safety measures the State of California is implementing to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Below is a summary of DBW's actions to date:
- Working in tandem with DPR on the temporary vehicular access closures in all 280 state parks, including trailered vessels and boats moored in marinas within state recreation areas.
- Updating boating organizations, marinas, and law enforcement agencies across the state on Governor Newsom's Stay-at-Home Order and DPR's implemented safety measures.
- Working with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regarding vessel registrations. With DMV field offices closed, recreational boaters are encouraged to conduct DMV business by using online services, DMV kiosks or by mail. Please visit DMV's website for details on these options. Law enforcement entities are aware of possible overdue vessel registrations and may allow a grace period.
- Transitioned grant workshops from in-person to online webinars and made workshop recordings available on our webpages and on YouTube.
- Accepting digital signatures on grant agreements.
- Accepting scanned versions of reimbursement requests.
- Maintaining continuity of services as much as possible while staff telework.
- Postponing seven (7) marine law enforcement trainings until Governor Newsom's Stay-at-Home orders are modified and our training facilities have the ability to support physical distancing The delay of the 2020 training season has affected 97 officers/first responders.
- Continuing boating education activities including the California Boater Card program at the same level as prior to the pandemic.
- Coordinating with the department's online K-12 education PORTS program and Zoom platforms to provide AquaSmart Live! puppet and game show performances for youth as well as boating clean and green education for adults during Earth Day/week.
- Postponing/cancelling onsite events such as boat shows.
- Following NASBLA's and National Safe Boating Council's lead for virtual National Safe Boating Week event planning.
- Continuing online boating safety publication order fulfillment.
- Conducting virtual boating clean and green program trainings and webinars with yacht club and other boating partners.
- Continuing yacht and ship licensing program services. Performing ongoing aquatic invasive plant control efforts as needed.
DBW will continue carrying out essential functions, while practicing all health and safety protocols recommended public health officials. The division will continue to inform California's recreational boating community about COVID-19 efforts and how boaters can continue with safety education and vessel maintenance while sheltering in place through its social media platforms.
Continuous monitoring
As California continues to issue guidance on preparing and protecting Californians from COVID-19, DPR is monitoring the situation closely and is following guidance by the Governor's Office via the California Department of Public Health, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services.
DPR has developed a one-stop resource center – www.parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve -- to find park safety and closure information, and messaging and graphics from the "Flatten the COVID-19 Curve at Parks" social media awareness campaign. The public is encouraged to visit this webpage regularly, as it will be updated with new information as it becomes available.
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Ramona Fernandez
Boating Law Administrator
CA State Parks, Div of Boating & Waterways
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-11-2020 09:34 AM
From: Tim Dunleavy
Subject: State COVID-19 Graphics for Boating & Recreation
Attached is New Hampshire's version of the COVID-19 graphic.
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Tim Dunleavy
Captain
NH State Police
Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2020 04:26 PM
From: Ron Sarver
Subject: State COVID-19 Graphics for Boating & Recreation
We have been compiling examples of graphics the states are releasing regarding COVID-19, social distancing and boating and we are hosting them in the NASBLA Public Library for anyone interested. Also, please feel free to share other graphics from any government agency around this topic in the comments below and we can add additional images to the library as we become aware of them.
Stay safe.
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Ron Sarver
Chief, Knowledge & Learning Management Systems
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
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