Virginia governor issues stay-at-home order

[ImaCynic]

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcar...st-of-pandemic

So what's the implication here? Who's gonna clip-in?

[rcannon100]

Having talked to lots of people in the last two hours, this is what I understand re bike shops

VA EO 55 says stay home, ref VA EO 53.
VA EO 53 #4 says who MUST close.
#5 says who MAY stay open.
#6 says, business if not listed #5, w <10 patrons + social distance may operate (aka bikes shops)

The specific language of #6 states

"Effective 11:59 p.m., Tuesday, March 24, 2020 until 11:59 p.m., Thursday, April
23, 2020, any brick and mortar retail business not listed in paragraph 5 may
continue to operate but must limit all in-person shopping to no more than 10
patrons per establishment. If any such business cannot adhere to the 10 patron
limit with proper social distancing requirements, it must close. "

[ginacico]

Guidance from NOVA Parks (i.e., the W&OD trail):

As per Governor Ralph Northam’s Stay at Home Order, issued today and effective immediately, do not drive to our parks. If you live close enough to walk or ride a bike you may access the trails, but there is no parking. Also please note, Governor Ralph Northam stated all Virginia residents only make essential trips which including seeking medical attention, work, care for family or household members, obtain goods and services like groceries, and prescriptions.

If you are seeking recreation and physical activity look for a park that is within walking or biking distance of your home. Please note: no picnicking, sports, boating or fishing are allowed at this time at NOVA Parks. You may walk on the trails only if you can get to them by foot or on bicycle.

[dkel]

I suppose for normal people, this limits access to parks. For this crowd...not so much.

[zsionakides]

Guidance from NOVA Parks (i.e., the W&OD trail):

As per Governor Ralph Northam’s Stay at Home Order, issued today and effective immediately, do not drive to our parks. If you live close enough to walk or ride a bike you may access the trails, but there is no parking. Also please note, Governor Ralph Northam stated all Virginia residents only make essential trips which including seeking medical attention, work, care for family or household members, obtain goods and services like groceries, and prescriptions.

If you are seeking recreation and physical activity look for a park that is within walking or biking distance of your home. Please note: no picnicking, sports, boating or fishing are allowed at this time at NOVA Parks. You may walk on the trails only if you can get to them by foot or on bicycle.

This direction is a bit odd as the governors order doesn’t ban going to parks, and fishing is explicitly called out as being allowed at beaches.

Considering some of the NOVA parks are hard to reach safely by bike (e.g. Pohick Bay and Bull Run), this is a de facto closure of those parks, which is unfortunate since they are large and easy to spread out in, vice say the W&OD when it’s crowded.

[LhasaCM]

This direction is a bit odd as the governors order doesn’t ban going to parks, and fishing is explicitly called out as being allowed at beaches.

Considering some of the NOVA parks are hard to reach safely by bike (e.g. Pohick Bay and Bull Run), this is a de facto closure of those parks, which is unfortunate since they are large and easy to spread out in, vice say the W&OD when it’s crowded.

It's a bit of a messaging mess. I don't believe the "don't drive here" really is a "new" restriction and because of the most recent order. Last week, already, NOVA Parks had closed all parking lots and entrance gates to vehicular access, and had previously closed its buildings/boat ramps/etc. https://www.novaparks.com/alert/upda...click-for-more

[secstate]

I suppose a solo camping trip on the C&O violates both the letter and spirit of the DC and MD orders.

[n18]

Some parks have basketball courts, even soccer fields, so closing parking lots discourages large gathering. All parks indoor facilities have been previously closed one week+ ago. I know there are areas where that doesn't make any sense.

Also, from VA stay-at-home executive order(PDF), there is an exception to "Engaging in outdoor activity, including exercise, provided individuals comply with social distancing requirements", so it's allowed. The purpose of closing parking lots is discouragement, not prohibition.

Sunday/Monday the W&OD in Vienna was busy with walkers and cyclists, almost to the same level in this time of the year.

[ImaCynic]

Here's the perfect solution:

https://laughingsquid.com/neighbor-s...sed-like-bush/

[zsionakides]

Some parks have basketball courts, even soccer fields, so closing parking lots discourages large gathering. All parks indoor facilities have been previously closed one week+ ago. I know there are areas where that doesn't make any sense.

Also, from VA stay-at-home executive order(PDF), there is an exception to "Engaging in outdoor activity, including exercise, provided individuals comply with social distancing requirements", so it's allowed. The purpose of closing parking lots is discouragement, not prohibition.

Sunday/Monday the W&OD in Vienna was busy with walkers and cyclists, almost to the same level in this time of the year.

The problem with closing some of the parks is it crowds the ones that stay open - e.g. everyone that can no longer hike on the Bull Run trail because they can't use the parking lot are crowding other trails. It's much better to discourage the dangerous behaviors such as soccer and basketball matches or large picnics, vice closing the parks wholesale. In places that are highly desirable such as the Tidal Basin, shutting down parking lots makes sense to limit the crowds, but most all NOVA Parks aren't anywhere near that busy.