Coronavirus hits the holiday weekend: Masks are a must, beaches are closed, and fireworks are banned

Heading into the holiday weekend, 36 American states are seeing rising coronavirus numbers. Yesterday, the U.S. reported 51,504 new cases, a record number.

California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida all experienced major rises in cases this week. Florida reported more than 10,000 new diagnoses on Thursday 

In Southern California, state and local officials have opted to close most beaches ahead of Independence Day weekend. Public beaches, piers, parking lots, and bike paths "that traverse that sanded portion of the beach" will be closed from midnight on Friday until 5 a.m. on Monday.

Los Angeles County made the decision first, followed shortly after by Orange County. Orange County officials also announced that bars, pubs, and breweries that do not offer dine-in services must close.

California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered 19 counties in the state to close all bars and indoor operations at restaurants, movie theaters, zoos, museums, and family entertainment centers. His order will be in effect for at least the next three weeks.

Los Angeles County has also banned fireworks displays this 4th of July weekend.

Mask mandates are on the rise, going in effect in 19 states and Washington, DC on Friday. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Thursday that Texans won't be allowed to leave their homes without a face covering if they live in a county with 20 or more active coronavirus cases. That means the mandate currently impacts about 95% of Texans.

Close to two dozen states have halted their reopening efforts to combat the rising spread of virus inside their borders. Some states, like New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, issued a travel advisory requiring people traveling in from states with high case numbers to quarantine for two weeks.

The novel virus has killed more than 128,000 Americans and infected more than 2.7 million nationwide.