TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 – EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, MAY 1
Monterey, CA – City Manager Hans Uslar today announced a partial beach closure for Monterey beaches that will take effect on Friday, May 1, 2020. This temporary measure provides additional health and safety assurance during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency shelter in place order. As both the State Stay at Home and the Monterey County Shelter-in-Place orders require, social distancing of six feet between people remains a critical component to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus. The warmer weather and the desire for people to return to normal activities after weeks of sheltering in place threaten to dismantle the progress made in combating COVID-19, prompting the additional restrictions.
The partial closure extends to parks in the City of Monterey as well. Active uses are still allowed, including walking, jogging, running, and ocean activity. Passive or group activities are not permitted such as sitting, sunbathing, picnicking, barbecues, campfires, or group sports of any kind. Beach or park visitors are not allowed to use chairs, umbrellas, or canopies, as they encourage passive use of the area.
“We understand how important it is for our residents to get outside for fresh air and exercise during the shelter in place order and we want that to continue,” said City Manager Hans Uslar. “This order tries to achieve the balance between allowing our residents to walk our beaches and parks and enforcing the intent of the health orders. We want to discourage our beaches from becoming overcrowded during the continued shelter in place order. We have to ensure the public’s health by maintaining social distancing in our beaches and parks.”
Waterfront area parking lots will remain open for commercial activity and essential services such as access to Fisherman’s Wharf, Municipal Wharf 2, and Monterey Harbor, with enforcement in place. Some street parking in the Del Monte Beach neighborhood will be restricted, specifically on Tide Avenue, on Beach Way from Tide Avenue to Spray Avenue, and on Surf Way from Tide Avenue to Spray Avenue, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. See a map for details at monterey.org/Portals/0/News/Covid19/del-monte-neighborhood-parking-restrictions.JPG
The new restrictions align with other beach restrictions up and down the California coast, including Carmel and Ventura. Non-compliance with the order can result in an administrative fine of $1,000. The Monterey Police Department and the City’s partner, California State Parks, will continue patrolling beaches. The City will continue to make adjustments to the rules-based on Federal, State, and County Health Department guidance or orders.
The new Limited Beach and Park Closure Order is available at https://www.monterey.org/Portals/0/News/Covid19/042920-Limited-Beach-and-Park-Closure-Order.pdf
