Arlington Parks & Recreation's New Health & Safety Policy is in Effect

By Arlington Parks & Recreation

Posted on July 08, 2020, July 08, 2020

Editor's Note: Parts of the Health and Safety policy below have been revised in accordance with Gov. Abbott's executive order on July 2, 2020.

Please note, the information below is subject to change at any time as new information and resources become available.

Tarrant County Judge B. Glen Whitley issued a new executive order Thursday, June 25, 2020 regarding the requirement for face masks or face coverings for business employees and customers due to the imminent threat of widespread illness from COVID-19.

Tarrant County’s order follows Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision that local governments can require stores and businesses to require masks in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The county order, which goes into effect at 6 p.m. Friday, June 26, 2020 and continues through 6 a.m. Aug. 3, 2020, applies to all entities in Tarrant County that provide goods or services directly to the public.

Click here to read the Tarrant County executive order.

After an extensive review of all operations and in accordance with the new county order requiring face mask and coverings along with recommendations provided by the City of Arlington Public Health Authority and the Arlington Fire Department, Tarrant County Public Heath, the Department of State Health Services and the CDC, the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department announces the following health and safety policy is in effect through at least August 3, 2020.

The virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to others by infected persons who have few or no symptoms. Because of the hidden nature of this threat, it is the policy of Arlington Parks and Recreation to require the following:

INDOORS

1. FACE COVERING REQUIRED IN ORDER TO ENTER AND REMAIN ON PREMISES. All persons over the age of ten (10), including employees, customers, visitors, invitees and contractors ("Patrons"), who enter this business must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth, such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief.
   - The requirement of a face covering does not apply if covering the nose and mouth poses a significant mental or physical health risk to the individual.
   - The requirement of a face covering also does not apply when an individual is consuming a food or beverage or receiving a service where the wearing of a mask would impair the performance of the service.
2. SOCIAL DISTANCING PROTOCOLS. Even with the use of appropriate face coverings, individuals should maintain six feet of social distancing whenever possible.
   - Employees should not work within six (6) feet of one another, except to the extent necessary to provide services.
   - Patrons should maintain six (6) feet of separation from other individuals outside their household, to the extent feasible when inside the business premises.
   - Patrons of the business queuing or waiting inside or on the premises of the business must maintain six (6) feet of separation from other individuals outside their household.
3. INDOOR POOL USAGE. Masks are required on the pool deck when not actively participating in water activities.
4. INDOOR SPORTING EVENTS. All participants, coaches, officials and spectators are always required to wear masks while indoors.
5. YOUTH CAMP. All campers are required to wear a mask indoors. Any activities outdoors that allow for social distancing will not require a mask.
6. NOTICE AND SIGNAGE. Notice of this Health and Safety Policy will be posted in a conspicuous location of the business.
7. VIOLATIONS. Patrons who do not wear a face covering will be asked to leave the premises and will not be provided goods or services until the face covering requirements are followed.

OUTDOORS

1. FACE COVERING REQUIRED IN ORDER TO ENTER AND REMAIN ON PREMISES. All persons over the age of ten (10), including employees, customers, visitors, invitees and contractors ("Patrons"), who enter this business must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth, such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief.
   - The requirement of a face covering does not apply if covering the nose and mouth poses a significant mental or physical health risk to the individual.
   - The requirement of a face covering also does not apply when an individual is consuming a food or beverage or receiving a service where the wearing of a mask would impair the performance of the service.
2. SOCIAL DISTANCING PROTOCOLS. Even with the use of appropriate face coverings, individuals should maintain six feet of social distancing whenever possible.
   - Employees should not work within six (6) feet of one another, except to the extent necessary to provide services.
   - Patrons should maintain six (6) feet of separation from other individuals outside their household, to the extent feasible when inside the business premises.
   - Patrons of the business queuing or waiting inside or on the premises of the business must maintain six (6) feet of separation from other individuals outside their household.
3. OUTDOOR SPORTING EVENTS. Anyone not directly involved in the sport (parents, players on the sidelines, spectators, park visitors, siblings etc.) are not required to wear masks if it is feasible to maintain six (6) feet of separation from other individuals outside their household. Active participants are not required to wear masks while participating in the sport (players, officials, coaches). However, if six (6) feet of separation from other individuals outside their household is not feasible then a face covering is required (i.e. dug outs).
4. POOL USAGE. Masks are not required in an outdoor space (pool decks) where it is feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household.
5. PAVILION USAGE. All users are required to wear a mask where it is not feasible to maintain six (6) feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household.
6. NOTICE AND SIGNAGE. Notice of this Health and Safety Policy will be posted in a conspicuous location of the business.
7. VIOLATIONS. Patrons who do not wear a face covering will be asked to leave the premises and will not be provided goods or services until the face covering requirements are followed.

City staff will be contacting individuals that have registered for a program, or reserved a special events space, that are impacted by this new policy.

Parks staff is working closely with the Arlington Fire Department to monitor and implement a reasonable reopening timeline that complies with Gov. Abbott’s latest executive orders, the City’s Roadmap to Reopen and Recover plan and social distancing recommendations from local health officials and the CDC.