All California beaches and state parks are expected to temporarily close starting Friday, in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and apparently in response to throngs of beachgoers descending on Orange County’s shorelines last weekend.
Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to announce the closures Thursday, according to several local Orange County officials, who were researching whether he has the authority. All California police chiefs have received a memo notifying them of the closures, Fox11 reported.
The new closures come after Orange County beaches were packed with thousands of people last weekend.
“After the well-publicized media coverage of overcrowded beaches this past weekend, in violation of Governor Newsom’s Shelter in Place Order, the Governor will be announcing tomorrow that ALL beaches and all state parks in California will be closed, effective Friday, May 1st,” the bulletin to police chiefs said.
“We wanted to give all of our members a heads up about this in order to provide time for you to plan for any situations you might expect as a result, knowing each community has its own dynamics.”
Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner said Newsom has the power to close beaches in Orange County, but does not believe it is a wise decision.
“Medical professionals tell us the importance of fresh air and sunlight in fighting infectious diseases, including mental health benefits,” Wagner said. “Moreover, Orange County citizens have been cooperative with California state and county restrictions thus far.”
Wagner called Newsom’s decision an “overreaction from the state (that) will undermine that cooperative attitude and our collective efforts to fight the disease, based on the best available medical information.”
Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, R-Lake Elsinore, “This is not going to end well. Californians are not children you can ground when they don’t `behave’ the way you want.”
Newport Beach City Council members on Tuesday voted to keep their beaches open despite a scolding from Newsom regarding packed crowds last weekend. Laguna Beach on Tuesday voted to allow for active use only from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Fridays, beginning May 4.
During his daily briefing on Wednesday, Newsom indicated he would make an announcement soon.
When asked about Newport Beach City Council’s vote, he said he “will be making some subsequent announcements” very soon related to the state’s coastline, where beaches are open in some counties and closed in others.
Newsom said he has consulted with law enforcement and coastal commission officials since Monday “to really figure out what our next steps are. I can assure you that clarity will come in a very short period of time.”