State recreational properties will be “informally monitored” this weekend to make sure people are abiding by social distancing and not gathering in large groups.

Gov. Eric Holcomb gave notice at Friday’s news conference about COVID-19.

“We’re gonna be very mindful of what is occurring on our state park properties this weekend,” he said.

“We’ve obviously clamped down on our camping grounds at the state parks, because we didn’t want them to be magnets. They’re so beautiful, and it’s probably alluring and attractive to go out to one of the state parks, but we have said that’s not what this is for.

“The state parks are for folks living in neighboring counties to go exercise,” he said. “I would say, ‘Stay home, stay healthy and stay connected,’ and that ‘stay healthy’ part is running around the block or walking your dog or cat, or going to a state park and going for a hike, but then going home, properly, physically socially distancing.

“We’ll have our conservation officers, etc., and our state personnel at our parks. … We’ll also be monitoring the traffic counts there, and if we have too many people in one confined area, then we’re gonna just have to take appropriate action come Monday,” he said.

Ginger Murphy, deputy director of the Division of State Parks, said staff would be keeping an eye on parking lots to see if they are overfilling, and would be watching to make sure people are not gathering in large groups.

“We encourage people to get outdoors close to home, practice social distancing, as you noted, picnic with their family, but not in large groups, bring water and hand sanitizer along, and remember that restrooms are limited. If a parking lot is full, move on to another one, and if you don’t feel well, choose another day to come when you feel better.”