HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration gave approval Tuesday to plans by Huntington Beach and two smaller cities to reopen beaches that fell under his order shutting down the entire Orange County coast after a heat wave drew large crowds to the shore.
Huntington Beach, the world famous surfing mecca, and the cities of Dana Point and Seal Beach submitted plans consistent with the governor’s orders in response to the coronavirus pandemic and include measures to avoid overcrowding and enable physical distancing, the state Natural Resources Agency said.
Active recreation including walking, bicycle riding, and surfing are allowed in Huntington Beach but sunbathing isn’t. The city’s popular pier and beach playground remain closed.
“The new active recreation rules that we’re instituting will allow for continued beach access in a manner that emphasizes the need to practice safe social distancing,” Mayor Lyn Semeta said in a statement.
The action follows approval Monday of beach access plans submitted by two other cites, Laguna Beach and San Clemente, to allow active recreation.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted narrowly Tuesday to submit a plan to the state to have its beaches reopened for active use only.
The issue sparked a heated debate as the board voted 3-2 to approve directing county CEO Frank Kim to craft a plan consistent with what has already been approved in each city where a county beach is located and sending it to the governor for his approval.
Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Michelle Steel and Supervisor Don Wagner voted no on the motion sponsored by Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, with Steel muttering “very disappointing'' after it was approved.
The governor announced on April 30 that he was ordering all Orange County beaches to shut down after spring heat spell prompted thousands of people to head to the coast, primarily at Huntington Beach and adjacent Newport Beach.
Huntington Beach filed a lawsuit trying to get its beach reopened, but a judge refused to immediately block the order. Newport Beach supported that suit.
Newport Beach has also submitted a proposal to the state to reopen its beaches and hopes to hear soon, John Pope, a city spokesman, said in a statement.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. The vast majority of people recover.
The Associated Press and City News Service contributed to this report.