In an effort to better promote social distancing and curb gathering of more than 10 people Gov. Charlie Baker issued an emergency order last Friday requiring all coastal beach reservation parking areas managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to close.

The order applied to East Boston’s Constitution Beach parking lot and by Friday morning the gates at the beach were locked and traffic signs directed drivers away from the beach’s parking area.

Gov. Baker said the order was to further reduce large concentrations of people at beaches during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Constitution Beach will remain open and available to pedestrians for transitory use only, i.e. walking, jogging, biking, solitary fishing, etc.

Additionally, DCR’s agency-owned ice rinks, visitor centers, playgrounds, fitness areas, athletic fields, athletic courts and bathroom facilities like the ones at Constitution Beach will remain closed until Monday, May 4.

Gov. Baker and the DCR continue to stress that if Constitution Beach or other area parks are crowded, visitors should consider visiting a different location or returning at a later date or time. The Governor and DCR also advises visitors of state parks to:

• Stay within solitary or small groups, and avoid gatherings of ten or more people;

• Practice social distancing of at least six feet between individuals;

• Participate in only non-contact recreational activities;

• Practice healthy personal hygiene, such as handwashing for at least 20 seconds;   Stay home if ill, over 70, and/or part of a vulnerable population.

To centralize COVID-19 updates that impact the state parks system, DCR recently developed a Massachusetts State Parks COVID-19 Updates webpage. Prior to visiting a state parks property, members of the public should review the contents of the webpage. Furthermore, for information about the Baker-Polito Administration’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, please visit the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) website.