Riverside County says people can fish but still practice social distancing, here’s what else you can do

Community pools, local lakes, and many parks are still closed due to the coronavirus. However, there are many outdoor activities starting to open up.

“I think it’s pretty good that they are starting to open up and slowly but surely we’ll start with golf and hopefully fishing and hiking and all the other outdoor activities can follow suit of course with safety guidelines and measures put in place,” Julian Rangel, a local fisherman with Desert Valley Outdoors told News Channel 3.

According to Riverside County here’s what they are now allowing with restrictions:

• Fishing
• Hiking
• Golfing
• Tennis
• Biking
• Equestrian activities

Here's what’s not allowed:

• Swimming in public pools
• Sitting at picnic tables
• Sitting on park benches
• Playgrounds
• Group gatherings
• Team sports

A resident at Healing Waters in Desert Hot Springs is calling on public pools to be the next thing to open up.

“Us senior citizens need the healing effects from the mineral water,” Bill Schmittle said.

As things begin to open up, they will continue to look different. The county says social distancing and face coverings must be maintained at all times.

At Lake Cahuilla, a closed sign reads the lake and park will be closed until April 30.

“We miss being out here outdoors," Manuel Barrios, another fisherman told News Channel 3.

Brooke Federico with Riverside County Public Health told News Channel 3, "Residents can fish so long as they maintain six feet of social distance between others, continue to wear a face covering and not use shared surfaces like picnic benches," she said. "Group gatherings are still restricted," she added."

With the news from the county to allow fishing again, these fishermen hope Lake Cahuilla will open up sooner than April 30.

News Channel 3 reached out to Riverside County Parks who said they expect to have a better idea of when they’ll re-open Lake Cahuilla by the end of the week.

"Today we are evaluating the opportunity presented by the health order issued yesterday as it relates to parks, digesting the information and determining how to make changes," Erin Gettis, Public Information Officer for Riverside County Parks said. "We will be working on ways the public can enjoy our parks while maintaining the health and safety of both employees and the public," she said. "We expect to have specifics determined by the end of the week as it relates to Lake Cahuilla. At the time that we make a determination on how to open," she added.

“This is our local fishing hole and for a lot of us it’s our only place to go locally," Bobby Dennis, a local fisherman said. "I mean you can drive an hour to two hours away but as well as here a lot of other places have closed,” he added.

In the meantime, these fishermen just hope the surrounding lakes open up soon so they can get back to what they love most.

“Let the outdoorsmen get outdoors and those that want to exercise and do things outside and practice safe social distancing," Rangel said.

Keep in mind some cities are still restricting some of the activities that the county is now permitting but things are changing day by day.