Los Angeles County will close its beaches on Friday and ban fireworks ahead of the July 4 holiday, a move health officials say is necessary in light of an alarming increase in coronavirus cases.
Although it was a “difficult decision to make,” the closings are crucial because many people gather to celebrate, “a recipe for further transmission of COVID-19,” said county public health director Barbara Ferrer in a statement. .
“We should all take this virus more seriously and residents and business owners must do their part,” said Ferrer. “Physical distancing is not optional, the use of a face covering is not optional, spending time alone with the people you live with is not optional: these are requirements in the Health Officer Order and are the tools we have to protect each other, our families and the most vulnerable in our communities. “
All public beaches, piers, public beach parking lots, bike paths on the beach “through that sanded part of the beach” and beach access points will be closed from 12:01 am Friday until 5 am Monday. The fireworks ban applies only to the weekend of July 4. A modified order from health officials will be issued Monday night, Ferrer said.
Long Beach has its own health department, which means that the Los Angeles County order does not apply.
“Due to the increase in # COVID19 cases, all @CountyofLA beaches will be temporarily closed again this weekend, from July 3 to 6. Today we had almost 3,000 cases reported, ”said County Supervisor Janice Hahn in a tweet. “We can’t risk having crowds on the beach this vacation weekend.”
Los Angeles County confirmed on Monday 22 additional coronavirus-related deaths and 2,903 new cases of COVID-19, the highest number of new infections in a single day the county has reported since the pandemic hit the U.S.
The daily count brings the total number of coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County to more than 100,000.
The alarming increase in cases is not just the result of increased evidence, Ferrer said Monday, but it is proof that community broadcasting has “definitely” increased.
