O.C. supervisors vote to keep county's beaches open
SANTA ANA, Calif. - The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to keep the county’s beaches open as an incoming heat wave was expected to hit Southern California starting Wednesday.
All city beaches in Orange County remain closed, which includes beaches in San Clemente, Seal Beach and Laguna Beach.
The following beaches remain open:
• Aliso Beach
• Capistrano Beach
• Dana Point Harbor
• Newport Harbor
• Salt Creek Beach
• Sunset Harbor
“We’re urging people to get outside. If we’ve got some great weather, some sunshine and fresh air, what better place to enjoy it than the beaches if enjoyed responsibly? And I trust our citizens to in fact be responsible,” said Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner.
On March 23, Laguna Beach became the county’s first city to close its beaches and trailheads in the battle against COVID-19, the Orange County Register reported.
RELATED: Stay up to date on all coronavirus-related information
Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen penned a letter to the county’s supervisors urging them to close the county's remaining beaches, but with Tuesday’s decision, to no avail.
The board also approved a face coverings mandate for employees who interact with the public.
RELATED: Orange County approves mandate requiring face coverings for employees at essential businesses
California State Park officials closed vehicle access to all 280 state parks and have fully closed others.
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• Garcetti announces further public closures, including Venice Beach Boardwalk
• First full weekend of hiking trail, beach closures in LA County
Los Angeles County officials opted to close all of its beaches and trailheads in late March after some residents flocked to the sites and failed to practice proper physical distancing protocol and under the direction of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
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