A "CLOSED' sign and caution tape is placed around a ramada at Gene C. Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, in Tucson, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. The City of Tucson Parks and Recreation employees are going around to all Tucson parks to close all ramadas, gazebos, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, all sports courts and fields, horseshoe pits and splash pads due Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
The City of Tucson has closed all ramadas at local parks due to the increase in coronavirus rates throughout the state, officials announced Wednesday.
The decision comes as the Pima County Health Department continues to report accelerated rates of COVID-19 transmission and recorded its highest single day total — 878 cases — since the pandemic began in March. Hospital bed capacity also reached as low as 10% this week, the lowest level since July.
All ramadas at city parks and recreation facilities will be closed, effective immediately, through the end of December and all current reservations will be canceled. Customers will be contacted about their options for a credit or refund, according to city officials.
In August, Tucson Parks and Recreation reopened ramadas, playgrounds and other facilities for public use as part of a citywide reopening plan amid the pandemic. The closure of ramadas this time around marks a step back in the city’s plan to reopen public facilities. Playgrounds will remain open, however.
“If the situation evolves and we find that social distancing and wearing masks is not being followed, we will re-assess at that time,” said Sierra Boyer, Tucson Parks and Recreation marketing manager, in a news release.
The city will also not be scheduling any new sporting events at public fields, but will allow some previously scheduled games to take place. All recreation centers and basketball courts remain closed at this time.
“We will allow the few local games currently scheduled to continue, provided they follow their COVID-19 action plans previously submitted to the department,” Boyer said. “No spectators at events or events involving interstate travel will be allowed.”
In addition, the city will close Sentinel Peak Park, or “A” Mountain, early from now until the end of the year in order to prevent an influx of large gatherings in the evenings. The park was previously open until 8 p.m. but will now close 30 minutes after sunset.
“We strongly advise that all groups keep to 10 or fewer people, stay 6 feet away from anyone they do not live with, stay home if feeling sick, and follow all other CDC guidelines to keep safe,” Boyer said. “Every person in the City of Tucson over the age of 5 is required to cover their nose and mouth with a face covering when in a public setting where continuous physical distancing is difficult or impossible. We will continue to assess the situation and update the public.”
PCC West campus COVID-19 Testing Site
Marlyn Lazzeroni, a nursing student at Pima Community College, retrieves a spit sample from a patient during a drive-through coronavirus disease testing site at PCC-West campus.
PCC West campus COVID-19 Testing Site
Miranda Graham, a nursing student at Pima Community College, checks people in at the coronavirus disease testing site at PCC-West campus in Tucson, Ariz. on November 16, 2020.
PCC West campus COVID-19 Testing Site
Brigid Simon, left, and Kevin Dow, nursing students at Pima Community College, check a spit sample from a patient during a drive-through coronavirus disease testing site at PCC-West campus.
PCC West campus COVID-19 Testing Site
Ana Rubio, left, Marlyn Lazzeroni, nursing students at Pima Community College, collect spit samples from a patients during a drive-through coronavirus disease testing site at PCC-West campus.
PCC West campus COVID-19 Testing Site
Jamie Hadley, a nursing student at Pima Community College, writes a patient's birth date on a container to collect their spit at the coronavirus disease testing site at PCC-West campus.
PCC West campus COVID-19 Testing Site
Ana Rubio, a nursing student at Pima Community College, logs in a patient's spit sample during a drive-through coronavirus disease testing site at PCC-West campus.
Pima County increasing hours at several free COVID-19 testing sites
The Pima County Health Department announced Friday expanded free COVID-19 testing at several locations, as test positivity rates approach 12% and new cases surge here and across the nation.
“What we’re seeing right now is scary,” Dr. Theresa Cullen, director of the Pima County Health Department, said. “Cases are well above our summer surge, when Arizona was a worldwide COVID-19 hot spot.”
Extra testing hours will allow 270 additional appointments per day each at the Kino Event Center and Morris K. Udall Center, plus expanded hours at the El Pueblo Center testing location.
As temperatures drop and COVID-19 cases rises, states begin to bring in equipment to keep test administrators and residents warm.
For the Kino Testing Center, 2805 E. Ajo Way, appointments are now available Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
At the Udall Testing Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road, appointments are now available Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The El Pueblo Testing Site, 101 W. Irvington Road, Building 9, appointments are now available Monday and Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon.
The Pima County Health Department, Pima Community College and Arizona State University (ASU) are opening three new COVID-19 testing sites over…
Jasmine Demers
Reporter
Jasmine joined the Star in 2019. With a master’s degree in journalism, Jasmine served in a variety of leadership roles, including The Daily Wildcat's editor-in-chief. She was also named Outstanding Newsperson of the Year by the UA School of Journalism.
