COVID-19 - Reopening Protocols for Recreation Organizations

Covid-19 Mitigation Tools

Cloth Mask, Hand Sanitizer, No-Touch Thermometer

COVID-19 – Reopening Protocols for Recreation Organizations

As many states and local jurisdictions begin their reopening process, QWR believes it is important for recreation groups to be proactive and develop Covid-19 protocols for future in-person meetings and volunteer trail events.

The White House has unveiled Guidelines for Opening Up America Again.  This is a three-phased approach based on the advice of public health experts. These steps will help state and local officials when reopening their economies, getting people back to work, and continuing to protect American lives.

LINK TO WH PHASED REOPENING STRATEGY

https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/

That strategy encourages the public to continue the practice of good hygiene as highlighted below:

·         Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching frequently used items or surfaces

·         Avoid touching your face

·         Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow

·         Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible

·         Strongly consider using face coverings while in public, and particularly when using mass transit

QWR believes that recreation groups and non-profit conservation organizations may want to add a No-Touch Infrared Thermometer to their list of suggested mitigation tools and PPEs such as cloth masks and hand sanitizers with alcohol content greater than 60%.

LINK TO NIH INFORMATION ON NO TOUCH THERMOMETERS

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25520984

In some areas of the country where spread of Covid-19 continues having that screening capacity to identify members who are running an elevated temperature makes sense and might help decision-makers lift restrictions on in-person meetings and volunteer events.   

Bo Hui Model T-168 No Touch Thermometer 

QWR suggests that recreation stakeholder groups develop in-person/event meeting protocols that adhere to required social distancing and other Covid-19 health guidelines and obtain cloths masks, hand sanitizer, and possibly a no-touch infrared thermometer that can be included in your post-reopening Covid-19 mitigation strategy.

LINK TO ARTICLE ON DEVELOPING WORKPLACE TEMPERATURE SCREENING

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/us-covid-19-workplace-temperature-64518/

It also important to remember that post-reopening mitigation requirements for in-person meetings and volunteer events may vary widely depending on local, state and federal jurisdictions such as the Forest Service, BLM, State Parks, and County Government.  Be sure and contact them for more specific guidelines or requirements.

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Don Amador worked in the healthcare field for 20 years and served as Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer and Registered Radiologic Technologist

COVID-19 - Trail Ride Decision Tree

OHV Trail - Mace Mill (circa 2019)

Eldorado National Forest

TRAIL RIDING DECISION TREE

As many Forest Service OHV trail networks reopen this weekend in the Sierra Nevada after the winter wet weather closure period ends, it is important for riders to answer the following questions in the Covid-19  “Trail Ride Decision Tree”  before loading up the trailer or truck with dirt-bikes, ATVs, or UTVs and leaving your house for an OHV adventure.

QUESTION ONE – Does my county have a Shelter-in-Place (SIP) order?  If the answer is yes, then you don’t have to continue reading this decision tree.  Spend the weekend working on your OHV, doing chores, firing up BBQ, or walking with your family.

QUESTION TWO – Does the county I am traveling to have a SIP order?  If the answer is yes, then see activities in question one.

QUESTION THREE – Have I called the Forest Service to see if OHV trails on the unit are open for me to use?  If the answer is yes, then go ride with respect and have fun.  If the answer is no, then don’t go ride at that area.

QUESTION FOUR – If I end up riding, do I have the proper tools to dispose of human waste in the appropriate manner as highlighted by Tread Lightly! : In areas without toilets, use a portable latrine if possible, and pack out your waste. If you don’t have a portable latrine, you may need to bury your waste. Human waste should be disposed of in a shallow hole six to eight inches deep at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites or trails. Cover and disguise the hole with natural materials. It is recommended to pack out your toilet paper. High use areas may have other restrictions, so check with a land manager.

Nobody likes being told to stay home by government officials including me.  But as supporters of sustainable OHV management prescriptions, we do have a responsibility to respect (even if we don’t agree or understand) efforts by land agencies and counties to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in rural communities.  Compliance now means that riding areas will be reopened sooner vs. later.