Students on spring break reminded to avoid crowding on Santa Cruz County beaches
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION) UPDATED 3/23/20 6:01 p.m. The City of Santa Cruz is urging people to stay at home and avoid Santa Cruz beaches during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to stop the spread of the virus.
“Please don’t gather in large groups of friends on the beaches. We’ve seen
all kinds of activity down here. I’ve seen a bunch of people playing bear
pong and passing bear back and forth and that’s just a nightmare for public health right now,” Santa Cruz County Spokesperson Jason Hoppin said.
Beach goers were out at Cowell’s Beach in Santa Cruz Monday afternoon, some heading out for a surf, others enjoying some time outdoors after a week under shelter-in-place orders.
Over in Aptos, residents there say they’ve seen the beaches busy over the
weekend and that makes them concerned.
“It’s dangerous to ourselves and to other people,” Aptos resident Colleen Kondler said. "We could have the virus and not know it and spread that to other people.”
But residents and beach goers have mixed opinions about the shelter in
place.
“I believe they’re being taken a little too far for the moment. It’s still a
little early but i do think that if you’re sick, stay home and take care of
yourself and get better so we can push this thing out,” beach goer Lyndon Scott said.
“I think it’s, you know, maybe wise not to get giant groups of people
together, but just walking on the beach, I don’t see any harm in it,” Aptos resident Henry Crawford said.
It is okay to exercise or walk your dog, but the city is encouraging people
to do these activities by themselves or just with immediate family.
Because of all the people visiting beaches, State Parks has also decided to
close the Rio Del Mar Platform Beach parking lot among others.
The beach is not closed but they’re asking people to abide by social
distancing guidelines.
If they don’t, people could face citations or even be arrested.
In addition to Rio Del Mar Platform, Palm Beach, Año Nuevo, and Henry Cowell Picnic area parking lots will be closed. State parks told KION this is just temporary and that people can use other nearby parking
lots in order to still enjoy those areas.
PREVIOUS STORY 3/23/20 8:35 a.m.:
Santa Cruz County officials are reminding everyone, including college students on spring break trips, to avoid crowding on beaches.
There is a Shelter in Place order in effect in Santa Cruz County and a Stay at Home order for the State of California as a result of coronavirus concerns. Schools and universities around the country are switching to online classes too, but the county said some students are still following through with spring break plans and showing up in groups on beaches.
"Santa Cruz County is a popular destination for college students during this time of year," said Sheriff Jim Hart. "However, the county is asking everyone to adjust their routines in order to protect everyone's health, including their own, as well as the operations of our critical health care infrastructure."
Outdoor exercise is allowed and encouraged as long as people keep a safe distance from each other, but large gatherings violate state and local orders. The county said it is an effort to protect the health and safety of Californians. Violations are a misdemeanor, and anyone who violates the order could face a citation or arrest.
The county said students have continued to gather on beaches around the country despite warnings, and now five University of Tampa students are recovering after testing positive for coronavirus.
Tourism is a major industry in Santa Cruz County, and officials said it has been impacted by the outbreak.
The county said Community Foundation Santa Cruz County has created a fund to support public health and vulnerable people. You can donate to that fund here.
KION's Elisha Machado will have a report on KION News Channel 5/46 at 5 and 6 p.m. with what locals and the city has to say about the issue.
