L.A. County Beaches, including Manhattan Beach, to Open on Wednesday
May 11, 2020 09:41AM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Editor's Note: This story is being updated as additional details are released.
The Los Angeles County beaches, including Manhattan Beach, will open on Wednesday, May 13, at 6:00 a.m., the city of Manhattan Beach announced this morning.
The beach will be open as an "activity beach," meaning that it will be open for water sports and exercising. There will be no volleyball, sunbathing, umbrellas, or beach chairs allowed. Face coverings will be required out of the water and around others.
“Following numerous discussions and meetings with Los Angeles County, I
am excited that one of our most valued resources, the beach, will once
again be accessible to the public,” said Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery in a statement. “I
urge everyone to follow all public health orders for your safety and
your neighbors, and please use the beach responsibly by practicing
physical distancing. The beach will be open for active uses only, such
as walking, running, surfing and swimming. If beach visitors do not
follow all the rules, the State of California or Los Angeles County can
once again close our beaches. By abiding by these measures, you will
play an important role in keeping the beaches open.”
Beach parking, the Manhattan Beach Pier, the bike path, and the Strand will continue to be closed.
Beach goers are not permitted to set up chairs, canopies, coolers,
grills, sunbathe, hold gatherings of any size, or have any organized
recreational programming (i.e. beach volleyball). As a general rule, beachgoers should avoid crowded areas where possible. Violators of these
requirements may be subject to fines and criminal prosecution.
Montgomery noted that maintaining "social distances" of six feet would still be required (aside from a gathering of members of the same household).
"This is SO important in order for us to keep our beach open. This is a small yet big step for us so let’s do this properly," he said in a post on his Instagram feed. "Be smart. Enjoy the outdoors. Stay safe and healthy. We’re all in this together."
