On Thursday, Govenor Gavin Newsom announced yet another new order, this time shutting down all beaches in Orange County. Today, beachgoers and county officials are challenging that new order...
Huntington Beach and Dana Point officials are asking to block the order, stating that it unfairly singles out the O.C. beaches. Newport Beach and San Clemente officials have upcoming meetings to also discuss what to do about the new order.
According to Newsom, this decision comes after he saw too many people, specifically in Orange County and Ventura, at the beaches last weekend. On Friday morning, barricades were placed along the O.C. coastline to deter residents.
In a statement, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said “the governor’s decision to single out Orange County by closing our beaches is wrong and fails to recognize the sacrifices made by our 3 million residents."
“No one should fear being subject to a criminal violation merely for seeking out and exercising healthy activities," Sheriff Barnes added. "Especially when using good judgment and appropriate protective measures.”
In Dana Point, officials say their city wasn't even given an opportunity to discuss the measure before it was issued by Newsom.
The order, sent on Thursday by the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, cited crowds as the main factor in their decision to close:
“State public health leadership reviewed conditions on these beaches and determined that this beach visitation created unsafe conditions,” the order says. “These conditions threaten the health of both beach visitors and community members who did not visit the beach, but are threatened by worsening spread of the virus, including first responders and health care providers.”
Read more about the beach closures on The Orange County Register.