'Stay active and stay safe’: Flagler County reopens its beaches around the clock

Flagler County leaders said all 18 miles of beaches will reopen at 7 a.m. Sunday.

The beaches will be open around the clock to allow residents to do physical and mental health activities, leaders said.

“The overwhelming compliance with social distancing that we continue to witness in our parks and at our beaches validates that the time is right for this to occur,” said Jerry Cameron, a county administrator.

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Officials said social distancing requirements will remain in place.

They said, “The intent is to allow for physical and mental health activities – exercising not socializing – walking, biking, surfing, fishing, not congregating.”

Leaders said individuals who are fishing will be allowed to carry a small cooler or container for bait and tackle use.

“We are supportive of the beach reopening decision made by community leaders,” said Bob Snyder, of Florida Department of Health Flagler. “In normal times, we advocate physical activity through walking, running, surfing and enjoying the outdoors. So ‘exercise don’t socialize,’ keep moving and don’t forget your sunblock and other protective health measures.”

Leaders said the unincorporated areas of the beach – inclusive of Beverly Beach and Marineland – will be open all day.

The county’s beachfront parking lots and restrooms will not be accessible until Tuesday to provide staff enough time to remove barriers and clean restrooms.

The parks will not be open 24 hours a day. They will be open sunrise to sunset and boat ramp usage is permitted after hours, leaders said.

The city of Flagler Beach said it will reopen its 6-mile segment of the beach at the same time. However, for the time being, the city’s boardwalk, boardwalk bathrooms, parking on A1A in front of the boardwalk and the city’s pier will remain closed, officials said.

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Officials said access to the beach will be allowed from Third Street North to the northern city limits and from Ninth Street South to the southern city limits.

Leaders said the dune walkovers on the boardwalk will remain closed and fishing on the beach and dog walking will only be permitted north of 10th Street North and south of 10th Street South.

“When the beaches opened earlier this week under restricted time frames, the level of compliance in Flagler Beach was outstanding,” said Police Chief Matt Doughney. “We’re respectfully asking that all beach visitors continue to comply with CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines and abide by social distancing of at least 6 feet. We’ve got 6 miles of beaches in our city, so please spread out, stay active and stay safe.”

VIDEO: These are the rules when Flagler beaches reopen Wednesday Flagler County beaches will reopen with restrictions on Wednesday, April 22. WFTV's Mike Springer explains the new rules.

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