
Safety has always been a top priority for most people when they spend time in nature. However, because of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we all need to rethink how we approach our time outdoors to make sure we keep ourselves and our fellow nature lovers safe. Before you head out on your next adventure, we encourage you to keep the following added measures in mind.
First and foremost, if you feel sick, you should stay home and seek medical advice from your doctor. Following the latest CDC advice and using the CDC coronavirus self-checker tool can help you decide if it’s safe for you to venture outdoors. If you are able to head outside, it is important to check and make sure that the trail or park you wish to visit is open before you go. During these uncertain times, parks and trails can be closed on short notice for a variety of reasons, so it is good to know their status before you make the effort to travel to your destination. Check LetsGoOutside.org for the status of City of Irvine-owned trails, and be sure to check the OC Parks website before heading out to any OC Parks trails or facilities. You should also check to make sure your pack has all the essentials you will need for your trip, including water. We encourage everyone to add the following items to their pack to limit the potential transmission of infectious diseases: