Gov. Wolf updates guidance on outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania

Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday updated guidelines on the types of outdoor recreation that businesses may offer during the yellow and green phases of the state’s reopening plan.

Wolf’s new guidance will permit additional outdoor recreational activities in counties that are in the yellow phase. These activities include mountain biking, outdoor miniature golf, motor sports, go-karts, rock climbing, disc golf, paintball, horse riding, tennis, archery, shooting and other similar facilities.

These businesses may resume outdoor operations, but they may only allow the public indoors for restrooms and ticketing and entry locations.

These businesses must follow social distancing protocols.

“As summer quickly approaches and all 67 counties are in either yellow or green phases of reopening, it was important to provide businesses with the guidance necessary to safely reopen or plan for reopening as they enter the green phase,” Wolf said. “I want all Pennsylvanians to remain active and to enjoy all the recreation the commonwealth has to offer, but we must do so safely and with social distancing top of mind.”

Pennsylvania’s state recreational facilities also are resuming activity.

In state parks and forests, facilities including cabins, cottages, lodges and yurts will reopen statewide on Friday. Most state park swimming pools will begin reopening on Saturday.

All 58 state park beaches opened for swimming on June 6.

There are still limitations in place for these facilities. Capacity at beaches and pools will be restricted to 50%. Mitigation measures, including restricting visitor parking, controlling facility access and ensuring social distancing and the use of face masks when not in the water, will remain in place.