Sacramento – California Governor Gavin Newsom will order the closure of all beaches and state parks beginning Friday after people crowded the shoreline during a suffocating weekend despite his social distancing order to slow the spread of COVID-19, according to a report sent to police chiefs across the region.
Eric Nuñez, president of the California Association of Chiefs of Police, said the document was sent to group members on Wednesday night to give them time to organize ahead of the official announcement scheduled for Thursday.
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
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Although most state parks and many beaches, trails, and city parks have been closed for weeks, the Newsom order is likely to be rejected by communities who claim they can safely provide some relief to residents desirous of fresh air.
There is increasing pressure to ease state and local restrictions that have strangled the economy, closing many businesses and adding nearly 4 million people to the jobless lists.
