Crowded scenes cause Long Beach to step up enforcement; beaches to close at 8 p.m.
Until further notice, ocean beaches in Long Beach will close at 8 p.m. and the boardwalk at 9 p.m.
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Jul 23, 2020, 11:57 PM
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Updated 1,612 days ago
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New rules are being enforced in Long Beach after hundreds of young people violated social distancing rules, and capacity at the beaches topped reopening guidelines.
Until further notice, ocean beaches in Long Beach will close at 8 p.m. and the boardwalk at 9 p.m.
In addition, non-residents will no longer be able to buy beach passes from Friday through Sunday.
About 700 young people swarmed Long Beach last weekend in violation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order mandating social distancing. Officials say large gatherings can undo the state's progress against the coronavirus.
“They're not social distancing, they're not wearing masks, they're not adhering to the guidelines that we're forced to make them operate under as part of our safety plan,” said Joe Brand, Long Beach’s commissioner of parks.
Police say they will be going from beach to beach to enforce the new hours. Violators face fines of up to $500.
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