Even with the lifting of some restrictions implemented at the start of the pandemic, it’s still important to remain vigilant since the virus is still present. This is particularly true with the presence of many Covid-19 variants in the country.
Despite this, people can still visit national and state parks to enjoy the great outdoors as long as they consider some crucial things to keep themselves safe. Here are some things people should consider to enjoy the great outdoors safely even before the pandemic is over.
Follow Health Protocols
The first thing that people should remember is to follow health protocols and guidelines. They should remember that the pandemic is not yet over despite the continuous release of vaccines across the country. People should always remember the basic health protocols to protect themselves and their families from the virus.
People visiting parks and exploring trails should remember to mask up. This is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of the virus. The federal government also mandates that anyone entering federal property should wear a mask. They should also stay a safe distance away from people who are not a part of their household.
Additionally, people should avoid visiting parks that are overcrowded. Some national and state parks have limited operating hours while others have opted to close some park areas. So before venturing to these places, it is important to check the website of the National Parks Service for announcements regarding some parks in the country.
Aside from guidelines released by the federal government, people should also consider checking the guidelines set by the states and local authorities and the park itself.
Safety First
Following the guidelines implemented by the authorities is the first thing people should do to avoid getting sick. Aside from these guidelines, people should also think about their safety first, So, people can safely walk and hike on a trail when they’re with people they live with.
But it’s another story if they encounter other groups on the trail. In these situations, they should stay at least six feet away from the other group. Even if none of the members of the other group are showing any symptoms, they can still spread the virus if they already have it. The same goes for people who recently tested negative for the virus since they may have caught it after the test.
Additionally, people should still bring hand sanitizer when they go out to enjoy the great outdoors. While there may be washing stations at the park, it may require people to touch the faucet when they wash their hands. Since it’s best to avoid touching high-contact surfaces, they can keep the hands clean using a hand sanitizer instead.
Choose Safe Sports
Since the pandemic is not yet over, people should consider engaging in sports that do not require a lot of contact with other people. For instance, mountain biking can be an option since it allows people to stay at a safe distance from each other, especially if only a few people are on the trail.
Another option is hiking. Similar to mountain biking, this also depends on the number of people on the trail. So if people find a trail crowded, it’s best to avoid it. While wearing a mask is already required on federal property, it’s still better to be safe than sorry.
Renting a boat to go fishing with the family is another option. Since they are taking the trip with people they live with, it will be safer for them. Another option is camping with the family, And if it’s the fishing season, the family can bring their Accurate spinning reels with them to have a bit of fun while enjoying the great outdoors.
Stay Close
Since traveling is still discouraged due to the high chances of getting infected, people can opt to stay close to where they live if they want to enjoy the great outdoors. While there may be many places that they may want to visit outside of their home state, it’s still advisable to stay in their locality to avoid catching the virus.
Even if they travel close to their homes, people should still check if their destination is crowded or not. If the place is crowded, they may want to reconsider their plan or simply visit the place another day. They can also look for another place where they can camp out with the family.
The gradual deployment of the vaccines has encouraged people to start going back to normal activities, including enjoying the great outdoors. But people still have to follow health protocols since new variants of the virus have started to emerge in different parts of the country.
