Face masks and reservations required as Texas reopens state parks amid pandemic
State parks across Texas will reopen Monday, two weeks after they were shuttered in response to the coronavirus crisis.
The move, announced by Texas State Parks and Texas Parks & Wildlife, is part of a larger effort by Gov. Greg Abbott to ease restrictions and gradually reopen the state amid the outbreak, according to the organizations.
“All state parks that can reopen Monday will reopen for day use only, with overnight camping to be allowed at a later date,“ the environmental groups wrote on Facebook. “We continue to encourage social distancing and other best practices to avoid spreading the virus, and we will continue to advise our customers to know and follow local, state or federal travel restrictions and other guidance.”
Abbott closed the parks on April 7 due to the coronavirus, which has infected more than 760,000 people in the U.S. As of Monday, the Lone Star State had nearly 19,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 477 deaths, Texas Department of State Health data show.
The reopening of state parks is a first step in the governor’s plan to get the state economy up and running again, even as new coronavirus cases are reported.
“We’re now beginning to see glimmers that the worst of COVID-19 may soon be behind us,” Abbott said Friday from the Texas State Capitol. “We have demonstrated that we can corral the coronavirus.”
Under the new guidelines, park-goers must wear face coverings and maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and others. Gathering of groups of five or more is prohibited, according to Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Folks yearning for a stroll in the great outdoors can’t just show up to their local parks, either. Residents must make a reservation and pay an entry fee online, officials say.
The decision to reopen the parks drew plenty of reactions online, with many voicing frustration over the new rules.
“Wearing a mask outside is silly when we’re already social distancing,” one Facebook user griped before adding: “We’re not living out a Resident Evil film.”
“No camping? RVs are literally safer than tents. Face coverings? Unreal. Completely uncalled for,” another wrote.
Someone else asked: “How do you eat BBQ with a mask on?”
Meanwhile, others were relieved to hear of the loosened restrictions.
“I understand the day use only,” one man commented. “You get too many people who won’t follow the rules, hence the restrictions. I’ll take what I can get a this point and be grateful.”
One woman said she “love love loves” the idea of the parks reopening, adding, “Parks are so important! They should have never been closed.”
Other parts of Abbott’s plans to reopen the economy are set to take effect this week, local station KXAN reported. For one, retailers are set to move to a “to-go” model, meaning all business will be conducted curbside or via delivery.
Texas schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year.
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 11:46 AM with the headline "Face masks and reservations required as Texas reopens state parks amid pandemic."