Weekend heatwave coaxes Californians to the beach, officials worry about enforcing social distancing

Mayors, police chiefs, and county sheriffs up and down the California coast this weekend reminded residents that despite surging temperatures that beckoned folks to the state’s beaches, social distancing orders were still in place – a dynamic that concerns health officials as summer nears amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

As Southern California’s first heatwave of the season hit, officers on horseback patrolled local barks, hiking trails, beaches and playgrounds to remind residents that the areas largely remain closed due to the pandemic.

Orange County's Newport Beach and Huntington Beach had tens of thousands of visitors this weekend. Lifeguards reminded groups to stay six feet apart.

L.A. officials are concerned that resident after being primarily inside for close to six weeks, should they begin opening public recreation areas, would flock to them in large numbers, disregard social distancing guidelines, and possibly undo the progress that weeks of sheltering-in-place has done.

“We won’t let one weekend undo a month of progress. While the sunshine is tempting, we’re staying home to save lives,” tweeted Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Sunday.

In Pacific Grove, law enforcement officers closed down Lovers Point Park and Beach in Monterey Bay because because visitors were failing to comply with social distancing requirements.

California has had about 43,000 cases of coronavirus and 1,700 deaths, about 50% of which have been in the LA area.

Georgia was among the other states this weekend to easy restrictions – opening hair salons, gyms and other businesses. However, there have been no reports of widespread gatherings like those in Southern California.