MANATEE COUNTY – Despite Manatee County officials announcing the closure of all public beaches in the area, that wasn’t enough to keep all beach-goers away.
On what normally would be a busy beach day filled with Spring Breakers, Manatee Public Beach was virtually a ghost town as county government officials closed all public beaches in the county amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Though you’re met with a closed beach sign at the entrance, some beach-goers still laid down their beach towels and enjoyed a very intimate beach day. “We came out because there are no crowds. There’s a lot of space, feels a lot safer to be out and enjoying this day,” said Christine Wright.
Wright and her family decided to take advantage of the situation despite health officials telling everyone to stay indoors. Wright says though they may not be at home on lockdown, she’s making sure her family follows the Center for Disease Control & Preventions guidelines when heading out.
“As you can see there’s not anyone within… more than 20 feet from us at least,” said Wright.
Despite the low number of people at Manatee Beach Friday afternoon, a simple walk down the shoreline, as you get closer to Anna Maria, tells you a different story.
Rick Benson lives on Holmes Beach, he says as he was passing by the beach’s entrance it was a strange sight to see Manatee Beach deserted.
“I think that the closings are necessary. I think that what we saw of the concentration particularly of 20-somethings, there seems to be at least some disregard for the recommendations,” said Benson.
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells says deputies will be patrolling the beaches day and night making sure everyone follows the CDC’s guidelines.
“I want to make that clear that we are not out there trying to incarcerate people for walking on the beach, that’s not what the goal is,” said Sheriff Wells.
Though you won’t be placed in handcuff, Sheriff Wells says groups of more than people will be asked to leave.
Other law agencies in the county will also be lending a hand patrolling the beaches to ensure there are no mass presences of beach-goers. The beaches in Manatee will remain closed until further notice.
And Sarasota County will be the next to close off their beaches. All county owned public beaches will close 6 a.m. on Saturday and remain closed for the foreseeable future.
