Beach, Strand Now Closed in Manhattan Beach
Mar 27, 2020 01:23PM ● By Jeanne FratelloFriday morning walkers on the Strand in Manhattan Beach.
Closures Regretful But Necessary
Residents and visitors are to refrain from entering or occupying the Strand, sandy beach, or using the bike path until further notice. All restrooms will be locked as well. The county and city will be patrolling these areas to enforce the closures.
“The Manhattan Beach Police Department is prepared to enforce these
important public health orders to keep our residents safe. I urge
everyone to stay home, and not come to the beaches, as it represents a
public health risk,” said Manhattan Beach Police Chief Derrick Abell.
The city is urging residents to utilize their local
neighborhoods for exercise. However, when exercising, social distancing rules (6 feet apart) need to be
maintained. Under the city’s recently-passed urgency ordinance,
violators of the six foot requirement may be subject to citations or
fines.
All South Bay Beaches Closed
The beach and the Strand will be closed throughout the rest of the South Bay as well.
In terms of the Strand and the bike path, neighboring jurisdictions in Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach have closed
their public walkways and bike paths on or next to the beach.
In terms of the beaches, the Los Angeles County beach closure applies to the other beaches it owns including
Redondo Beach, Torrance, and El Segundo. Hermosa Beach, which unique among South Bay cities in owning its own beach, has closed its beach.
San Diego, Laguna Beach and several other Southern
California communities have also announced beach closures.
As of Friday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed 1,456 cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in Los Angeles County.