Swampscott May Close Beaches If People Cant Social Distance

SALEM, MA — Town Manager Sean Fitzgerald said Swampscott will have to close its beaches if people can't follow state-mandated social distancing rules aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

According to the Salem News, which first reported this story, police had to remove some people from beaches Wednesday after reports of overcrowding. Fitzgerald told the newspaper the town would consider closing beaches, as has already happened in Beverly, if the problem persists. Swampscott has already blocked some parking spots at beaches in hopes of limiting crowds.

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In a letter to residents last week, Fitzgerald said the town would follow the guidelines the state established in the first phase of its reopening plan. Those guidelines include:

• A minimum of 12 ft distance between toweling/beach blanket groups.
• Keeping loading and unloading times for people and personal items at drop off areas to a minimum.
• Organized ball games are NOT allowed activities, including but not limited to, volleyball, Kan Jam, spike ball, football, soccer, Kadima, and bocce.
• A new, carry-in, carry-out policy for trash.

The town's lifeguards will be enforcing the new policies.

"As a Commonwealth and as a community, we are still dealing with a deadly virus that is still taking lives and we hope everyone will continue to follow the new 'safer at home' guidance that Governor Baker has issued this week," Fitzgerald said.

More Coronavirus Coverage On Massachusetts Patch:

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• Latest Town-By-Town Coronavirus Case Counts For Massachusetts (Updated May 27)

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).