HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Orange County beaches began closing Friday under a state order aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus. But many people still headed to the shore to surf, walk and jog before local authorities stopped them.
In Huntington Beach, state beaches were cordoned off with yellow tape and by park authorities wearing masks who told residents they couldn’t go onto the sand. The city’s beach, however, saw morning traffic as usual: barefoot surfers toting boards, walkers savoring the sand and bicycle riders using a popular trail that follows the shoreline.
Police in Huntington Beach said while the beach was officially closed they would put up signs later in the day as they had to prepare for a protest calling for an end to stay-at-home orders. In neighboring Newport Beach, the city put out barricades and spoke with surfers to advise them of the closure, and said people were quick to comply.
“Most people did get the message,” said John Pope, a city spokesman. “Our goal, honestly, is to not issue citations.”
The beach battle erupted after media photographs showed packed shorelines in the Orange County cities of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach over the weekend, prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom to shut them down Thursday. Local officials had opted to leave the beaches open to encourage residents to stay healthy and exercise, and many accused Newsom of unfairly singling them out.
On Friday, an Orange County judge refused to block the state’s order after Huntington Beach and others asked the court to keep the beaches open. Judge Nathan Scott said he weighed the harm the closures caused the city and others, but the virus’s threat to public safety should take priority. He said he will consider the issue again May 11 after the city, state and others have briefed the court in more detail.
Beaches are closed in nearby Los Angeles County. San Diego County allows for walking and jogging, but residents can’t linger on the sand.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. The vast majority of people recover.
Many residents in Orange County opposed the state decision, and said it was punishing them for crowds of people, many from other communities, who came to their beaches because others were closed.
Chris Karathanas, 36, said the streets and paths around Huntington Beach had grown congested in recent weeks, and he was being careful to take routes on his bike where he could keep a safe distance.
“People have been flocking here — not people who live here, but elsewhere,” he said. “It kind of had to be done.”
Newport Beach will consider taking legal action this weekend, but barring that will comply with the state’s order, Pope said.
“Our challenge could come through the legal channels. But this weekend, we’re just hoping for a very quiet weekend where people do stay away,” he said.
