Floridians in Jacksonville who are hoping to take a dip after weeks stuck in quarantine are in luck.
Mayor Lenny Curry’s office announced beaches and parks in the Florida city will reopen to the public at 5 p.m. on Friday “with restrictions for essential activities only.”
“This can be the beginning of the pathway back to normal life,” Curry said on Thursday evening. “But please respect and follow these limitations. Stay within the guidelines for your safety, as well as for the safety of your neighbors.”
Beaches and parks in Duval County will reopen Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m. with certain restrictions. Beaches will only be open from 6am to 11am and 5pm to 8pm
Please watch the video for additional details and follow this link for the press release. https://t.co/TmkOmXhphS pic.twitter.com/206hiEbRyZ
— City of Jacksonville (COJ) (@CityofJax) April 16, 2020
The announcement comes the day after President Trump revealed new guidelines geared towards reopening state economies that have not been hard-hit by the coronavirus.
“Please be advised that you are swimming and surfing at your own risk,” read a statement detailing the beach guidelines.
But not all Jacksonville residents are on board with the decision.
“This is really a crazy, bad idea,” Jacksonville resident Deborah Melvin told local television station WTLV. “I’m afraid. I’m afraid for myself. I’m afraid for my family. Everybody should use their common sense.”
There are more than 20,000 coronavirus cases in Florida, according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker.
