OCEANSIDE, Calif. (KGTV) — Oceanside officials are closing beach parking lots this weekend in order to limit holiday gatherings as the county sees a rise in coronavirus cases.
The city says beach parking lots west of the railroad tracks, with the exception of certain Harbor lots near the Harbor Village, will be closed from Friday at 8:00 a.m. through Monday, July 6, at 8:00 a.m.
The city will also close all public parking lots in the downtown area west of the railroad tracks and all public parking lots in the Oceanside Small Craft Harbor, except lots 1, 4, 5, 8A, 8B and 9.
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"With Los Angeles County beaches closed, San Diego County State Beach parking lots closed, and several Orange County beaches following suit, it was deemed prudent to close Oceanside beach parking lots for the holiday weekend in order to minimize crowded conditions, limit gatherings, increase physical distancing, and slow the spread of the coronavirus," the city said in a statement.
There will also be no fireworks displays in Oceanside or at Camp Pendleton on Saturday.
The decision comes after San Diego County enacted several measures this week to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including a restaurant curfew and limits on bars. Statewide, San Diego County is the only Southern California county not under new measures to suspend indoor activities in certain businesses and all bar operations.
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However, local official warn that the county could be added to the state's new mandates as soon as Monday.
Despite this, the county has said that beaches will remain open but cities will have the option to close them for the weekend if they chose.
"With COVID-19 cases rising in the County, it’s essential to take measures to break the chain of transmission in our region, and each of us has a role to play. Please refrain from gathering with those outside of your own household, and wear face coverings when you leave your home and are within 6’ of others," the city added.
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