Jacksonville's Beaches Reopen Despite 23 More Coronavirus Cases

JACKSONVILLE, FL — While most beaches and public parks in Florida remain closed, Jacksonville's Duval County reopened its beaches Friday night as county officials reported 23 new cases of the coronavirus in a matter of only hours.

"Folks, this can be the beginning of the pathway back to normal life," Duval County Mayor Lenny Curry said in a video announcing the reopening.

The mayor said beachgoers must observe social distancing rules and will not be permitted to sunbathe or bring coolers, blankets, chairs or grills to the beach.

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"This decision was made in collaboration with law enforcement, first reponders and the beaches' mayors," Curry said.

Despite the rules, news video showed what appeared to be large numbers of people disregarding social distancing guidelines when the beaches reopened.

Beaches will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Public parks will follow normal operating hours but picnic areas and pavilions will remain closed.

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Permitted activities on Duval County beaches include walking, biking, hiking, fishing, running, swimming, taking care of pets and surfing. Curry said those activities are consistent with the essential activities defined in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' emergency order limiting movement around the state to essential businesses and essential activities.

"Very important, my executive order for social distancing guidelines that limits gatherings to fewer than 50 people still stands," Curry added.

DeSantis told reporters earlier Friday that he believed it would be possible to safely exercise. He also noted that some areas of the state have not been as hard hit by the virus as other areas.

South Florida has been the epicenter of Florida's outbreak, accounting for some 60 percent of all cases in three counties: Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.

Duval County, which is in north Florida, reported a total of 817 confirmed cases of the virus as of Friday night, which was up from 794 earlier in the day. Duval also reported one new death in that period for a total of 15 people who lost their life to the virus.

DeSantis was criticized for waiting until many states had already issued stay-at-home orders before issuing his order for Florida. That was also after spring breakers were observed flaunting their disregard for social distancing guidelines in parts of the state.

"In terms of outdoor spaces, and if you look at how this disease is transmitted, it's transmitted overwhelmingly when you are in close sustained contact with people, usually in an indoor environment," the governor said on Friday.

He insisted the risks of transmission are less significant in outdoor spaces like parks with proper social distancing.

"You're not going to have large gatherings out there, but I think to be able to get people to get out and sunshine and be able to get some fresh air, anything I've done, I've always promoted essential activities with recreation," he said. "You've just got to do it in a way that's going to have low risk."

In Duval County :

• City of Jacksonville golf courses will reopen during normal operating hours, but individuals must follow social distancing requirements
• No overnight camping at Hanna or Huguenot parks will be permitted.
• Playgrounds must follow social distancing requirements.
• No organized group activities are permitted, including picnics or gatherings, team sports or any type of group activity.
• All park restroom facilities will remain closed.
• Pavilions and picnic areas will remain closed.

Public parking is available in Jacksonville Beach, west of 1st Street. Public parking lots and end zones will remain closed east of 1st Street.