Camping now illegal in much of Utah

[Scott P]

Has anyone read the statements from the Moab Sheriff's department? All camping (or other forms of staying the night are now illegal in Grand, Carbon, and Emery Counties. This includes places like Moab, the San Rafael Swell,

Overnight Lodging. Effective at 10 pm (MST) on March 17, 2020, all overnight and short-term lodging facilities (including but not limited to hotels, motels, condos, townhomes, guest homes, RV parks, and all camping on public or private lands) within Carbon, Emery, and Grand Counties may only check-in, rent, or lease to Essential Visitors and Primary Residents. Essential Visitors and Primary Residents may utilize public lands for primitive camping purposes. No camp shall be located within 200 yards of another camp and no camp shall consist of more than IO people. An Essential Visitor is any individual renting lodging or camping for an amount of time less than 30 days for the purposes of work within Carbon, Emery, and Grand Counties, or for an employer within the boundaries of Carbon, Emery, and Grand Counties, and their spouse and dependents. Primary Residents are any individuals renting lodging for periods of 30 days or greater or whose primary address is within one of the counties.
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They are saying that violaters can be put in jail.

https://moabcity.org/551/COVID-19-Infor ... F0SGJMNNJc

I asked if this includes backpacking far away from roads and other people and they say yes.

moa.JPG (34.81 KiB) Viewed 5243 times

[JTOlson26]

Wow. What is the rationale?

As a teacher (in Ohio) who is off for a few weeks I had planned on going to Utah and doing a little dessert camping!

[dwoodward13]

Wow. What is the rationale?

As a teacher (in Ohio) who is off for a few weeks I had planned on going to Utah and doing a little dessert camping!

The city of Moab has extremely limited healthcare resources. There's a possibility that someone brings the coronavirus into the community, or a hiker/biker/ect could get injured and take up some of those extremely limited resources.

This is true of many communities in Colorado as well, so I wouldn't be surprised if we see similar actions here soon too.

[nyker]

wow, this takes social distancing to the extreme

[Scott P]

The city of Moab has extremely limited healthcare resources. There's a possibility that someone brings the coronavirus into the community, or a hiker/biker/ect could get injured and take up some of those extremely limited resources.

That is true, but Grand Junction isn't that far away and most patients for anything serious just end up here anyway.

[rijaca]

What about San Juan County?

[Ptglhs]

wow, this takes social distancing to the extreme

That's not social distancing. It's a mix of xenophobia, tribalism, and fear of scarcity. I hope 2,000 people show up on their doorstep.

[hunterwf]

If it is already there, it is already there. Shutting down your economy isn't going to stop a virus.

[Bean]

Wow. What is the rationale?

As a teacher (in Ohio) who is off for a few weeks I had planned on going to Utah and doing a little dessert camping!

The rationale is that thousands of people had your exact same idea and they can't handle it right now.

If it is already there, it is already there. Shutting down your economy isn't going to stop a virus.

Worked for China.

That's not social distancing. It's a mix of xenophobia, tribalism, and fear of scarcity. I hope 2,000 people show up on their doorstep.

With attitudes like yours, their reaction to the situation is more than understandable.

[Teresa Gergen]

It's not just Utah.

There's some pretty serious stuff in here:
https://thetrek.co/trail-related-closur ... edded_post

"State of New Mexico asks all out-of-state visitors to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival in New Mexico"

“People who are not in Summit County should not plan to come into the county;” travel in and out is recommended “only if absolutely necessary.”

“Visitors to Gunnison County are directed to return home immediately upon issuance of this order by the fastest and safest available means, and persons considering visiting Gunnison County should remain home.”

Also the shelter-in-place order in the Bay Area in CA allows walking/hiking outdoors, but not driving in your own private vehicle to get there - only walking out from your own residence. See under the "What Can't I Do" section: "You cannot take unnecessary trips on public transport or in your car or motorbike." (emphasis added)
https://www.smcgov.org/shelter-place-faqs

National Park Service is also beginning various closures. For Sequoia-Kings Canyon NP (SEKI) in the CA Sierra, the Wilderness Office where permits are issued is closed.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/environment ... 137765.php

Maybe there's hope that if enough action is taken right away, restrictions can be lifted by summer...

[seano]

Wow, that got crazy fast. Wondering if I should stay out of the country awhile longer...

[Scary_Canary]

It's not just Utah

Also the shelter-in-place order in the Bay Area in CA allows walking/hiking outdoors, but not driving in your own private vehicle to get there - only walking out from your own residence. See under the "What Can't I Do" section: "You cannot take unnecessary trips on public transport or in your car or motorbike." (emphasis added)

Its worded a little strangely, but hiking, running, and maintaining a healthy active lifestyle is considered an essential duty under their guidelines, for which you are allowed to use your private vehicle/public transport to get you there. Just be socially distant.
It's not considered as an unnecessary trip. Please be careful with the info you spread in these times.