The new normal: How coronavirus is changing a day at beach

Updated: December 16, 2024 - 9:55am

<p>As the weather heats up, people fatigued of statewide lockdowns are eagerly awaiting the opening of public beaches.</p><p>Seaside towns around the nation are struggling to figure out their plans as summer approaches, as local leaders weigh the damage a shutdown could cause for their economies with the health risks the virus poses to residents and visitors.</p><p>Right now the country is a patchwork of ordinances and recommendations, along with some creative thinking about how to socially distance.</p><p>The Pinellas County Sheriff in Florida has created a tracking app that gives real-time data on the capacity of beaches, parking lots and bridges to let people know ahead of time if things are closed. And one town in Spain is even requiring reservations in advance for a spot on the beach that’s broken into sections.</p><p>However some states, like California and Florida, have opened beaches only having to reinstate lockdowns after being hit with crowds defying social distancing orders.</p><p>Over the weekend, the beaches of Naples in southwest Florida city closed after they were crowded with beachgoers Saturday.</p><p>Many just want sunshine and fresh air, and recent Just the News Daily Poll with Scott Rasmussen says most voters say keeping subway open during coronavirus more dangerous than re-opening beaches.</p><p>Beaches are opening, but under a new set of rules.</p><p>Check out the video above to see more.</p>