Newport Beach Council To Discuss Legal Challenge Beach Closures

NEWPORT BEACH, CA – Just two days after the city council voted to keep beaches open for recreation and exercise, the city announced Thursday night it will comply with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order to close Orange County beaches until further notice during the coronavirus virus shutdown.

But after meeting in a closed session Thursday night with the city’s police chief and city manager, Newport Beach Mayor Will O’Neill expressed confidence in the city’s ability to protect and serve residents as the pandemic continues. In addition, O’Neill said that the governor’s brief and general directive raises enforcement questions that will require further clarification from Newsom’s office and from the state office of emergency services. The city council is expected to meet this weekend to discuss legal options to challenge the directive, according to a news release issued Thursday night.

The release stated the city’s public officers will strive to educate the public on Newsom’s order and are hopeful citations will be unnecessary.

On Thursday, Newsom ordered a “hard close” on Orange County beaches following a weekend in which nearly 80,000 people flocked to the county’s beaches. The Orange County Board of Supervisors called Newsome’s order an “abuse of power”, but Newport Beach officials said they would not contest the governor’s order.

Newsom said Thursday that he hopes to reopen the beaches “very, very quickly” if “we can get this right.”