California Closes Orange County Beaches After Photos Of Packed Beaches Cause Outrage

TOPLINE

After throngs of people crowded beaches last weekend, California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered beaches in Orange County to be shut down.

KEY FACTS

All state and local beaches in Orange County will be shut down starting Friday.

The move is in response to photos of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach packed with visitors, which gained attention and widespread criticism on social media last weekend.

Some media reports, citing a police memo, circulated that Newsom was considering closing all beaches in the state, but the governor denied that option was ever on the table.

Newsom called the beach crowds an example of "what not to do," adding that the packed beachers could undo weeks of progress because social distancing didn't appear to be closely followed.

Other beaches in the state can open under safety guidelines.

According to the county health department, Orange County has 2,393 confirmed cases and 45 coronavirus deaths.

Southern California, particularly Los Angeles County, remains a hotspot for the coronavirus in the state, accounting for far more cases statewide than the San Francisco Bay Area, which has 1,424 cases.

CRUCIAL QUOTE

"The images that we saw on our few of our beaches were disturbing, I was very candid about that, we've been very consistent about that. We had anticipated a week ago today concerns with that weather coming up and we wanted people to be vigilant. Unfortunately, just in a couple of our beaches, we didn't see that happen," Newsom said.

CHIEF CRITICS

Orange County officials called Newsom's order an "overreaction."

"I believe Governor Newsom has the power to close Orange County beaches. However, it is not wise to do so," said Orange County Supervisor Donald Wagner. "Medical professionals tell us the importance of fresh air and sunlight in fighting infectious diseases ... I fear that this overreaction from the state will undermine that cooperative attitude and our collective effort to fight the disease."

Key background

While other states, such as Georgia and Texas, are beginning to slowly reopen businesses, California is still under its initial stay-at-home order enacted on March 19 and is letting local officials decide whether to permit certain low-risk activities, such as golfing or fishing.

Further reading

In Photos: Southern Californians Pack Beaches During Heat Wave (Forbes)

Los Angeles Offers All Residents Free Coronavirus Tests, With Or Without Symptoms (Forbes)

San Francisco Bay Area Extends Shelter-In-Place Through End Of May, Construction And Some Outdoor Activities Allowed (Forbes)

I'm a San Francisco-based reporter covering breaking news at Forbes. I've previously reported for USA Today, Business Insider, The San Francisco Business Times and San

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