Americans have been pictured celebrating Memorial Day in crowded beaches and parks, despite advice to socially distance amid the coronavirus pandemic.
While beaches were packed out from California to Florida, certain areas didn’t experience heavy people traffic as the weather became overcast.
But in Georgia where the sun beat down, some beach-goers were spotted perhaps having a little too much fun as the holiday celebrations continued this long weekend.
Two women were arrested on Tybee Island where thousands of sun-seekers went to mark to the holiday as events around the country to acknowledge the service of veterans were subdued to discourage crowds.
A group of women looked happy to be on Memorial Day Monday as Americans were warned to take caution amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Large groups in the popular Georgia spot seemed unconcerned with socially distancing measures to help battle coronavirus
Two women were arrested amid the celebrations but it’s unclear why cops on Tybee Island took them into custody
Groups crowded around cool boxes and towels as they enjoyed some sun tanning and a dip in the water after beaches reopened
Thumbs up: Merry beach-goers on Tybee Island, Georgia were seen gesturing to onlookers as they celebrated Memorial Day
People flocked to the beach on Tybee Island in Georgia on Monday to celebrate Memorial Day. People didn’t appear to be socially distancing
Despite the weather turning windy, people stayed on the beach at Tybee Island, determined to mingle on Memorial Day
People are seen flocking together outside beach-side establishments on Monday at Tybee Island in Georgia
What pandemic? On Tybee Beach no masks were to be seen on Memorial Day Monday following a weekend of partying
Vendors were open to sell inflatables and other beach accessories as hoards of people took to Tybee Island on Monday
Cops put them in handcuffs while they were wearing nothing but bikinis. The reason for their detainment was unclear.
The women were removed from the beach and taken into custody as they kicked sand at onlookers.
Locals were allowed to return to the area after the state reopened beaches just in time for the holiday. They had only partially been reopened for exercise last month after Governor Brian Kemp’s March shutdown order.
Groups flocked to the beach and huddled around picnic blankets and cooler boxes while others bought frozen drinks from bars.
One bar owner had hired football players and coaches to enforce social distancing measures.
‘It’s a challenge when you’re supposed to distance and limit groups,’ said Kathryn Williams, co-owner of North Beach Bar and Grill, told WJCL. ‘Fortunately the city have been (incredibly) helpful for small businesses on the island and they actually section off this area so we have a place that we can space people out.’
The weather started out warm on Venice Beach in California on Monday, tempting locals to the ocean in the tourist hotspot
Venice Beach, California was packed just like a regular summer’s day despite the state having some of the strictest lockdowns
People are pictured lining out outside Venice Ale House on Venice Beach, California on Monday to grab some food and drinks to-go. Several are seen wearing face coverings
Further down Venice Beach, it was a similar scene outside Cabo Cantina in the Marina Del Rey area were people lined up
Up in Malibu people appeared to ignore social distancing orders too, going without face masks on a crowded beach
Police are seen chatting among themselves as beach-goers ignore social distancing rules on the sunny day in Malibu
Despite the lockdowns, the freeway was busy as ever on Monday for Memorial Day, as people headed for the beaches
Down in the South Bay on Hermosa Beach, the boardwalk was just as packed with plenty of bikers and people strolling around
Man covered their faces at Hermosa Beach but the packed area so more people without masks on Monday afternoon
A jogger is seen holding a cloth to her face as she moves down the boardwalk in Hermosa Beach on Monday with lots of unmasked people walking by
Groups huddled around the Tim Kelly Lifeguard Memorial on Hermosa Beach, California on Monday to each a spot of lunch
Nearby Manhattan Beach, California wasn’t as crowded on Monday. Pictured, couple look on as cyclists take advantage of the space available
Williams said live bands could return as soon as it’s safe to do so and added: ‘It’s wonderful to reopen but that bad part is that you want to hug everybody and gather up and celebrate.’
‘This is a first; I mean I’ve done other security stuff but didn’t really expect being out here by the beach and you can’t beat that,’ Nate Baker, Savannah State University coach and North Beach bar & grill security guard, said. ‘It’s a poppin spot, and everybody wants to get in. So we have to crowd control, and way things are going right now, keeping people 6 feet apart is important.’
But many, including the workers, didn’t wear protective face masks or gloves.
Crowds gathered around market stalls after authorities warned people heading to beaches, parks or backyard barbecues to heed social-distancing rules to avoid a resurgence of the disease that has infected 5.4 million people worldwide.
California saw a varied turnout on beaches as June Gloom came early to Venice Beach but the nearby Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches in the South Bay appeared sunny.
It didn’t stop thirsty visitors from lining up outside bars for to-go beverages as they operated according to lockdown measures.
Despite California having some of the strictest orders in the country, oceanside spots saw man visitors forgoing face masks.
Ocean City beach visitors enjoy Memorial Day weekend taking advantage of the sand on May 25, 2020 in New Jersey
Ocean City continues celebrating Memorial Day weekend with many visitors taking advantage of strolling on the Boardwalk in New Jersey
Pedestrians appear on the boardwalk on Memorial Day in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Gov. Phil Murphy, D-NJ announced last week towns that open their beaches, boardwalks and lakefronts must comply with social distancing measures and limit capacity
Playing games: People gather at Belmar Beach for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2020 in Belmar, New Jersey
New Yorkers took beaches and parks to enjoy the warm temperatures.
In Florida people stepped out once again to socialized by the ocean, despite trouble rocking popular areas in Tampa and the Gulf Coast this weekend. Shootings were reported among the trouble and hotel owners reported people checking out due to thousands taking to the streets on Saturday night.
But certain beaches, such as in Naples and Miami, emptied out due to wet weather.
People walk and sit on Coney Island beach and boardwalk on Memorial Day in Brooklyn, New York on Monday but amusement attractions were closed
People stand in front of a restaurant on the boardwalk at Coney Island on May 25, 2020 in New York City. Government guidelines encourage wearing a mask in public
Crowds were some what light due to the ban on swimming and the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Officials kept a watchful eye for social distancing and handed out free masks
Many people ventured out to Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, New York on Memorial Day. The majority wore face masks
People relax and play games in East River park on Memorial Day in New York while the weather was good
Pedestrians enjoying the warm weather at Domino Park, Brooklyn on Memorial Day during COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak
People pictured at Sandy Point State Park on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland on Monday for Memorial Day gatherings
Kate Szafranski samples her brother Joey’s concoction of a cola float with lemonade added to it while their family dined at the Lake Harriet concession stand on Memorial Day in Minneapolis on Monday. The area around the Lake Harriet Bandshell was busy but not crowded
People pictured picking up drinks to-go at the Dock Street pub in the Annapolis Harbor, Annapolis, the Maryland state capital
At the same time there appeared to be mixed messages as officials were pictured out enjoying the holiday.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy shared a picture of himself on the boardwalk by Seaside Heights, wearing a face mask on Sunday. The beaches still attracted visitors despite the gloomy weather after the governor reopened them two weeks ago. Many of the visitors were believed to be from the likes of New York and Pennsylvania.
‘The unfortunate thing is that all the out-of-town people have been cooped up the same amount of time that the locals have been here,’ Christine Barthelme of Point Pleasant, New Jersey told Fox News.
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam was seen posing with locals for a picture on Saturday. None of them were wearing masks.
In Arizona this weekend, boxer Floyd Mayweather was spotted partying in a crowded nightclub as revelers in states such as Missouri and Texas followed suit.
Coronavirus has killed over 345,000, including nearly 100,000 Americans, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
Seaside Heights, New Jersey wasn’t a picture of sunshine on Monday for the Memorial Day holiday but people still went out
St Joseph, Missouri was somewhat busy but there was still space to lay out a towel for some sunbathing on Monday
Naples, Florida is pictured on Memorial Day Monday where the weather was gloomy and only a few couples graced the boardwalk
Pensacola, Florida appeared busy with people and parked cars on Memorial Day despite the gloomy skies on Monday
Plenty of sun canopies were closed on Watersound in Florida on Monday as the waves crashes against the shore in windy weather
Downtown Miami, Florida was a washout on Monday, keeping the crowds away on Memorial Day amid the pandemic
Groups of visitors are seen on Kiawah Island in South Carolina on Monday where there was space to socially distance
Gulf Shores in Alabama attracted people but plenty of sun loungers were free on the beach this Memorial Day holiday
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina saw a reasonable number of visitors on the sand for Memorial Day this year despite COVID-19