Santa Barbara County Health Officer Closes Beaches for Fourth of July Weekend
Giana Magnoli, Noozhawk Managing Editor
Water sports and walks on the beach are allowed, but order prohibits picnicking, sunbathing and 'sedentary activities'
Following similar moves by other counties, Santa Barbara's public health officer decided Thursday to close local beaches for the Fourth of July weekend.
Dr. Henning Ansorg's order came out Thursday afternoon, and will be in effect all of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to the Public Health Department.
Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties have closed their beaches for the holiday weekend, and public health officials are concerned about residents from those areas flocking to Santa Barbara for the holiday weekend, as many did over Memorial Day weekend.
“The threat of thousands coming to our community combined with our increased case counts led us to the decision to close our beaches,” Public Health Director Van Do-Reynoso said.
When the county says all public beaches in the county will be closed, it means surfing, kayaking and other water sports are allowed, and so is walking or running on the beach, but "sitting, lying, standing, sunbathing, sight-seeing, picnicking, and all other non-exercise, passive or sedentary activities are prohibited."
The Santa Barbara City Council debated beach closures at its Tuesday meeting and ultimately voted against it, but it's beaches fall under the county's order.
Following similar moves by other counties, Santa Barbara's public health officer decided Thursday to close local beaches for the Fourth of July weekend.
Dr. Henning Ansorg's order came out Thursday afternoon, and will be in effect all of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to the Public Health Department.
Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties have closed their beaches for the holiday weekend, and public health officials are concerned about residents from those areas flocking to Santa Barbara for the holiday weekend, as many did over Memorial Day weekend.
“The threat of thousands coming to our community combined with our increased case counts led us to the decision to close our beaches,” Public Health Director Van Do-Reynoso said.
When the county says all public beaches in the county will be closed, it means surfing, kayaking and other water sports are allowed, and so is walking or running on the beach, but "sitting, lying, standing, sunbathing, sight-seeing, picnicking, and all other non-exercise, passive or sedentary activities are prohibited."
The city did decide to close all beachfront parking lots, and local state parks and beaches are closing their parking for the weekend as well.
Neighboring San Luis Obispo County has decided to keep its beaches open for the weekend, according to The San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Ansorg's beach closure order was issued within two hours of his order closing bars and indoor operations of restaurants, movie theaters, and other industries for at least the next three weeks.
Santa Barbara County has been on a state "watchlist" for 16 days for having high reported increases in the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
https://www.noozhawk.com/article/santa_barbara_county_health_officer_closes_beaches_for_fourth_july_weekend?utm