The Newport Beach City Council rejected a measure that would have closed its beaches for three consecutive weekends in May.
The scene at Newport Beach on April 28. The Newport Beach City Council rejected a measure that would have closed its beaches for three consecutive weekends in May. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Bicyclists ride past mostly closed businesses on April 28. Any visitors to the city’s beaches will see an increased presence of police officers and lifeguards, and the council supported citing anyone who doesn’t follow the social distancing order. ( Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Rusty Renk, standing, was among those at a special meeting by the Newport Beach City Council. The council advised city staff to maintain beach access with additional enforcement of social distancing. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The council action followed a busy weekend in Newport Beach as thousands of visitors sought to escape the Southern California heat wave. Pictured is an aerial view April 28. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Some areas were closed. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The city said in its news release that it would “continue to communicate the critical importance of responsible social distancing and adherence to the governor’s ‘stay at home’ order during the upcoming weekends.” (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Outside the council meeting, opponents of beach and business restrictions made their presence known. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Other visitors expressed their views in other ways. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Another view of the beach April 28. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Visitors walk past a statue of fallen Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson on April 28. San Clemente, which also saw its beaches filled with visitors over the weekend, deferred taking action on a similar bid to close its beaches. ( Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
