Newport Beaches Closed July 4 Holiday Weekend Amid Coronavirus

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — On a day when Gov. Gavin Newsom announced all state beach parking lots would be closed over the holiday weekend, the city of Newport Beach determined to close their beaches 10 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Sunday.

The vote in Newport Beach passed with a lone dissention of councilmember Kevin Muldoon.

With parking closed at the nearby state beaches of Bolsa Chica and Huntington Beach, the city of Newport Beach council was concerned of a public safety problem of keeping beaches open with regard to available lifeguards and the numbers of people expected to arrive on Newport shores.

On Wednesday, the city of Newport Beach disclosed that two of their seasonal lifeguards tested positive for the coronavirus. An additional 21 lifeguards remained under isolation to determine if they develop symptoms. According to a statement from city lifeguards, one more has developed symptoms and has not yet been tested.

"The extraordinary situation of coronavirus, and the possibility of lifeguards having to possibly rescue victims infected with the virus, leads me to question whether we should remain open," Newport Beach Mayor Will O'Neill said in the meeting.

Even with these lifeguards being out, an enhanced level of staffing was possible, Newport Beach lifeguards say. During the meeting, it was disclosed that 76 lifeguards were scheduled for staffing on Friday, 79, for Saturday and more for Sunday.

Those exposed to coronavirus were referred for follow-up care, which may include testing and quarantine, the city reported.

Many of the seasonal lifeguard staff lives works and plays together, according to Mayor O'Neill.

The city discussed dangers of keeping the beaches open over the holiday weekend, and took multiple calls both for and against the holiday weekend beach closure.

"Living close to the ocean, and a sailor, you have to learn to respect the tides," O'Neill said during the meeting. "With the increased rip currents, the perfect weather, and watching our lifeguards for increased infection of coronavirus, the tides are against us this holiday weekend."

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