Volusia County Council Members Implement New Directive Which Allows for Beaches to Stay Open during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Written by Kristen Schmutz – BC News (Belden Communications News)

The Volusia County Council held their regularly scheduled County Council meeting this morning. The main topic of discussion was if the Council should close Volusia County Beaches, in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Throughout the long discussion, Officials addressed the Executive Order that was put in place by Governor DeSantis (Executive Order 2020-68) which closes Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs as of 5 p.m. this afternoon. In the order, the matter of beach closures is laid out by the governor as the jurisdiction of the local governments.

County officials made it clear throughout the meeting, in their reluctance to close the beaches at this time, due to economic revenue, and due to the request of Volusia County Residents. The council members did note the concerns of County Lifeguards in regard to keeping beaches open and have come up with the following directive:

Parties of 10 people or less will be allowed to access the beach at any given time, during operational hours. Each party is to maintain a minimum distance of 6-feet from others, which will be enforced, and the cause of limited capacity at beach access ramps and parks. Upon the limited capacity being reached, beach access ramps and parking lots will become closed until capacity is no longer full.

The implementation of the new directive will take place as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 17.