SARASOTA – Back to the beach! The beaches in Sarasota County are now open for essential activities.
‘If you’re ill, turn around’ reads a sign at one of the entrances at Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota.
Beaches were closed for just over a month to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Suncoast.
Sarasota County Commission unanimously agreed to reopen the beaches for essential activities such as running, walking, biking and swimming. Sarasota Resident, Paul Murphy, says the last time he was on the beach was just right before they closed
“First day back, just trying to keep in line with the rules and regulations so we don’t have them taken away from us,” said Sarasota Resident, Paul Murphy.
Murphy says he usually only goes to the beach for essential activities anyways.
“I don’t usually swim or layout or anything, I just walk the beach,” said Murphy.
Visitors are asked not to congregate or gather, remain 6 feet apart, and pack in and pack out. The county is also asking visitors to not bring coolers, tents, chairs, blankets, or umbrellas. Several took advantage of the day to exercise, swim, and walk along the shoreline.
“It’s a beautiful day and we’re able to see nature at its finest, and it seems like the water is pretty clean and it doesn’t smell,” said Murphy.
Although beaches in Sarasota County are back open, parking will remain closed. One Sarasota resident, who asked to remain off-camera, did not understand why the parking lots are closed. Explaining he had to drop off his wife and go find parking blocks away.
Sarasota County Commission will revisit the issue at their next meeting on May 5th.