Crowds have flocked to and gathered on Orange County beaches that are still open despite the lockdown that has been implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic:
ABC reported that tens of thousands were seen on Huntington and Newport beaches in Orange County, California.
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Officials urged those leaving the house to continue sticking to the two metre distance but a lot of the beach goers were seen less than six feet apart and many didn't have face masks or anything similar on.
In a bid to reduce the amount of people venturing to the beaches, car parks have been closed but this means many have been finding neighbourhoods to leave their cars.
Hungtingon Beach Officer Angela Bennett said: "We're trying to ask people to maybe put themselves in our residents' position and think about the fact that our residents also have limited parking."Lifeguards working on Newport beach estimated that there were around 40,000 people that soaked up some rays on Friday (24 April).
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It's not just the beaches in California either. Just last week the seaside in Jacksonville, Florida, also saw hordes of people.
Locals had been told they must honour social distancing guidelines and visit the beach for 'essential activities only', with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry telling them: "This can be the beginning of the pathway back to normal life. Please respect and follow these limitations. Stay within the guidelines for your safety as well as for the safety of your neighbours."
According to news4jax.com, crowds cheered when barriers to beach access came down at Atlantic, Jacksonville and Neptune beaches, as visitors spilled onto the sand.
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A plane was spotted flying overhead with a message to beachgoers that read: "Do your part. Stay 6 feet apart. Help keep beaches open."
Featured Image Credit: ABCTopics: News, Coronavirus, US News, california, US
