TAMPA, Fla. — Have you been to the beach lately? Florida counties are beginning to reopen their shorelines amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Critics worry reopening beaches too soon will worsen the coronavirus outbreak, while supporters argue people can visit the beaches while still abiding by appropriate social distancing guidelines – which remain in effect. Generally speaking, counties that have been reopening their beaches are doing so for limited hours in the mornings and evenings. And, they’re largely banning lounging in chairs or on towels with coolers.
So, has your county reopened its beaches? 10News has compiled a list. It will be updated at the end of each day.
Bay: Open
Brevard: Open
Broward: Closed
Charlotte: Open with restrictions
Citrus: Open
Collier: Open
Dixie: Open
Duval: Open
Escambia: Open
Flagler: Open
Franklin: Open 6-9 a.m. and 5-8 p.m. daily
Gulf: Open
Hernando: Open
Hillsborough: Several are open, including Ben T. Davis Beach, Picnic Island Park, Davis Islands Seaplane Basin Park and Cypress Point Park
Indian River: Open
Lee: Open
Levy: Open with restrictions
Manatee: Open with restrictions
Martin: Open with social distancing restrictions
Miami-Dade: Closed
Monroe: Open, but the Florida Keys are off-limits to anyone who doesn’t live there
Nassau: Open
Okaloosa: Beaches reopened for recreation on May 1; they’ll be open from 6:30-9 a.m. and 4:30-7 p.m. daily
Palm Beach: Will reopen on May 18
Pasco: Most are open with rules limiting access to just physical activity
Pinellas: Open with restrictions
St. Johns: Open
St. Lucie: Open
Santa Rosa: Open
Sarasota: Open
Taylor: Closed
Volusia: Open
Wakulla: Open
Walton: Open for exercise: There are no beach blankets allowed, but you can bring chairs or umbrellas
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