HARLINGEN, Texas – COVID-19 continues to change the way we live our lives.
Parks and outdoor trails throughout Texas are closed, leaving runners fewer places to jog.
Outdoor workout equipment and playgrounds sectioned off, all to slow the spread of COVID-19.
However, staying in shape can be hard with leaders urging people to stay indoors.
The virus can easily be spread from person to person in close contact.
UTRGV’s professor Dr. Jose Campo Maldonado tells CBS 4 runners can still go out and get their cardio.
“You don’t want to get to the situation where you’re completely sedentary because of this pandemic,” he said, “It’s important that you keep doing exercise even if it’s at home there are many ways to keep yourself active.”
There are some walking/running trails open.
In Harlingen, parks are closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Police will monitor outdoor spaces to ensure people obey park rules.
Doctors urge people looking to exercise outdoors to create space, Dr. Maldonado adds it’s the best protection against the virus.
“In places where you cannot keep your distance you should be wearing a mask some towns have decided they want to go a step further and that’s fine if that’s the case you need to wear a mask even if you’re at a distance in a public place,” he said.
The virus can live on certain surfaces for hours.
Doctors urge runners once they’re done, wash their hands immediately for at least 20 seconds.