Headline Surfer photo illustration / Volusia County Manager George Recktenwald announces the closing of all public beaches within the county's borders as of 12:01 a.m. Friday. This is a far-cry from just a couple of weeks ago when the county kept the beaches open despite the growing coronavirus pandemic which led to the onslaught of thousands of college spring breakers who were no longer welcomed at the beaches of South Florida. And while the county ordered cars off the beach last week and preaching social distancing, which led to thinning crowds, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday ordered a statewide stay-at-home order, and this led to the county's decision today.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- County Manager George Recktenwald announced this afternoon that Volusia County’s beaches will close at 12:01 a.m. Friday, April 3, until further notice.
“In order to avoid sending an inconsistent or confusing message to. potential visitors and residents, we are taking the step to close our beaches as an additional effort to fight the potential surge in coronavirus cases,” Recktenwald said during a late-afternoon press conference at the Emergency Operations Center.
All vehicular and pedestrian beach approaches, beachside parks, and county-owned off-beach parking lots and walkovers will be closed.
Lifeguard towers will not be staffed during the beach closure. Beach Safety staff will fly the double red flag, indicating that the water is closed to the public.
Recktenwald did not mince words in announcing this edict and the consequences for those who don't take it seriously. “Our goal is to educate violators, and we have every expectation that they will comply,” Recktenwald said. “However, if offenders fail to comply, or if we see repeat violators, they will be issued a second-degree misdemeanor, which comes with a hefty $500 fine.”
Recktenwald did not mince words in announcing this edict and the consequences for those who don't take it seriously. “Our goal is to educate violators, and we have every expectation that they will comply,” Recktenwald said. “However, if offenders fail to comply, or if we see repeat violators, they will be issued a second-degree misdemeanor, which comes with a hefty $500 fine.”
For the latest updates from Volusia County Government, please visit www.volusia.org/coronavirus.
Editor's Note: Headline Surfer will update this breaking news with public reaction and additional news as to how and why the decision was made to go this route at this time. And will add multimedia elements, including video, infographics and additional photos through the overnight hours.