“Labor Day weekend is one of our busiest weekends every year, especially at our lakes and swim beaches,” said Katie Martel, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department. LA County now at 6.6 new daily COVID admissions per 100,000 residents, down from 7.3
Throughout the day, a coordinated team of city ambassadors roamed the parking lots of beaches and parks reminding residents to comply with state-mandated health orders. “There were enough people not complying with health orders to become a problem.”īrent said the enacting of what the city calls Operation Compliance helped to enforce social distancing in a friendly, proactive way. “Looking back at the other three big holidays: Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day,” said Brent Dennis, Long Beach director of Parks, Recreation and Marine. The same sentiment echoed down the coastline, with first responders agreeing that the Labor Day weekend festivities have so far paled in comparison to the disorder they faced during holidays in the early months of the pandemic. “We’ve added extra staff along the beach and pier area but everyone has remained organized today. “The beach is definitely busy today,” said Redondo Beach police Lt. The county Department of Beaches and Harbors also stressed that barbecues and bonfires are prohibited at the beaches and in beach parking lots.īarnes said that coastal patrols have also been increased in expectation of higher boating traffic. In Santa Monica, violators could be fined as much as $500. In Manhattan Beach, for example, people who fail to wear masks can face fines beginning at $100 and ranging up to $350. Requirements for social distancing and face coverings will be enforced at beaches for the remainder of the holiday weekend, with some coastal cities prepared to issue fines for violators. Public health officials urged people to only gather with members of their household, and to use their own utensils, cups, food, and drinks and not share with others. If the beaches get too crowded, we may be forced to close them again.” “It is absolutely imperative that beachgoers avoid crowds. “We cannot stress enough the importance of following the public health guidelines,” Beaches and Harbor Director Gary Jones said in a statement. Officials with the county Department of Beaches and Harbors warned that health restrictions remain in place, meaning beachgoers must practice social distancing and wear face coverings when not in the water, eating or drinking. But if weekend crowds get too large and people aren’t adhering to the guidelines, the beaches could be cleared, officials said. “But all lifeguard towers will remain staffed through the weekend, and extra crew have been brought on as needed.”īeaches were busy Saturday afternoon, but no major problems were reported as of 5 p.m. “The good thing about beaches is that they usually provide plenty of space to allow for proper social distancing,” said Pono Barnes, an Ocean Lifeguard Specialist with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Many parks and forest campgrounds also reported increased activity. Authorities noted that due to the coronavirus pandemic, recently activated cooling centers would be limited in capacity and restrictions would be in place, such as requiring face coverings.Īdding more motivation for a beachside migration: Power outages left thousands without electricity Saturday - and air conditioning - in scattered communities, including Alhambra, Calabasas, Maywood, Norwalk, Santa Monica and Los Feliz.Įxtreme heat forced closure of some recreation areas Saturday, but many residents headed to one of the more than 30 beaches dotting the coastline between Los Angeles and Long Beach, which were scheduled to remain open through the weekend, despite public-health concerns. The annual Labor Day weekend cool-off sparked concern this year among public health officials, who fear a rerun of the coronavirus resurgence launched by the Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays, which led to dramatic spikes in virus cases, hospitalizations and deaths.Īll three of those metrics have been trending downward in recent weeks in the county, and health officials have been making pleas for the past two weeks that residents avoid holiday-weekend parties or gatherings with people outside their own households. As triple-digit heat shattered records around Southern California, throngs flocked to beaches and parks across Los Angeles County on Saturday, Sept.