Community Corner

Carlsbad Closes Beaches, Parks And Trails Due To Coronavirus

City parks, trails and beaches​ remain closed Tuesday​ in Carlsbad to slow the spread of COVID-19.

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Kristina Houck, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
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The city announced the closures on Monday after large groups of people were spotted gathering at local parks, trails and beaches​.
The city announced the closures on Monday after large groups of people were spotted gathering at local parks, trails and beaches​. (Maggie Fusek/Patch)

CARLSBAD, CA — City parks, trails and beaches remain closed Tuesday in Carlsbad to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

The city announced the closures on Monday after large groups of people were spotted gathering at local parks, trails and beaches.

San Diego County amended a previous public health order on Monday to include the authority to close beaches and parks if municipalities are unable or unwilling to enforce social distancing rules recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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"We encourage outdoor exercise as long as people maintain 6 feet of social distancing," said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county's public health officer. "It looks like people are not able to do that."

About six of Carlsbad's seven miles of coastline are owned and operated by the state. Therefore, the city made a formal request to the California Department of Parks & Recreation to close its beaches and parking lots in Carlsbad.

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The beach from Oak Avenue to the Oceanside border, which is under Carlsbad's control, was closed.

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The state will close all parking lots at state beaches and parks in an effort to discourage people from being in close contact with others, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday. Widely-circulated images over the weekend showed residents packing beaches despite California's stay-at-home order.

Additionally, the cities of San Diego, Del Mar, Encinitas and Solana Beach have taken similar measures and closed their beaches and parking lots.

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