Volusia County Beach Update
Posted On: April 4, 2020
On April 2, under the issuance of a state of local emergency that allows flexibility in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, and recognizing the potential for crowding on Volusia County beaches, the county closed the beach.
The decision to close the beach was intended to bring our county closer to stay-at-home measures of state and federal government. The decision to close the beach was largely an effort to reduce and prevent people from traveling to the county specifically for the purpose of going to our beach. To remain consistent in messaging to potential visitors—and residents—the county closed the beach as an additional effort to blunt the expected upward curve of COVID-19 cases that health experts confidently anticipate.
The beach remains closed. However, in an effort to provide an outlet for physical exercise, Volusia County has issued the Fifth Directive of Emergency Measures relaxing the prohibition of certain exercise-related activities on the beach. With neighboring Brevard County making the decision to open their beaches for physical activity, the expectation is that Volusia County will experience low numbers of non-residents visiting the beach. The new measure provides exceptions to the closure for the activities of walking, jogging, biking, fishing, surfing and swimming. Activities such as sunbathing, sitting in chairs, organized sports or lying on blankets and grouping of people on the beach remains prohibited. A minimum of six-foot social distancing shall apply, and social distancing orders issued by the federal and state government must be observed. When permitted activities are complete, beachgoers are required to leave the beach.
Beach Safety staff will continue to fly the double-red flag. Swimmers swim at their own risk and lifeguards may not be on duty. Beach Safety will be enforcing these rules, aiming to educate violators.
The governor’s Safer-at-Home order emphasizes the same messaging the county has been promoting all along. If you can stay at home, please stay at home. At the professional advice of local medical experts, who have strongly emphasized the importance of social distancing, the county continues to underscore the monumental importance for our residents and visitors to stay home.
“We are facing real dangers in this community and in our nation,” said County Manager George Recktenwald. “Volusia County will continue to monitor the situation and make the best decisions for the safety of our citizens.”
The county emphasizes personal responsibility. Individuals have just as much impact as government officials in contributing toward flattening the curve.
