Spring Breakers ignore coronavirus warnings to play volleyball and party on Florida beaches as officials move to shut down access
- Spring breakers are on the beach playing volleyball in Clearwater, Florida, as officials are moving to cut off beach access by Monday
- The visitors continue coming to the beach in defiance of social-distancing and other warnings to protect against the coronavirus outbreak
- There have been 563 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Florida and 11 known deaths from the infection, also known as COVID-19, according to the Florida Health Department
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Advertisement
Spring Breakers ignoring coronavirus warnings were playing volleyball and enjoying the beach in Clearwater, Florida, Friday, as city officials were moving to shut down access by Monday.
Fun-seeking, sun worshipers ignored social-distancing warnings and were jammed on the sand in defiance in Clearwater, where business owners dependent on local tourism were unsuccessful in pleading with local officials to not close the beach.
The city, however, was hard-pressed to act with other Florida beaches closing and the escalating impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected thousands around the world.
More than 18,000 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in the US.
So far, there have been 563 confirmed cases in Florida and 11 known deaths from the infection.
Visitors to the beach in Clearwater, Florida, are seen playing volley ball on Friday, despite coronavirus warnings and a plan to cut off access by Monday
Vistiors came to the beach in Clearwater, Florida, on Friday to enjoy the time they had left before it shuts down because of the coronavirus
Visitors are seen in the surf and on the sand in Clearwater Beach Friday, seemingly unconcerned about the coronavirus outbreak which will result in the beach’s closure on Monday
People walked along the surf in Clearwater, seemingly unfazed by the threat of the coronavirus
A young man throws a football while standing in the crystal clear surf of the beach in Clearwater, as officials prepare to shut it down by Monday
People walked alone and in groups along the sand in Clearwater Beach, as it prepared to cut off access because of the coronavirus
A person parasailing is seen in the distance on the beach in Clearwater on Friday, where coronavirus concerns weren’t ruining the fun for visitors
Life guards kept watch over the crowds on the beach in Clearwater, Florida, on Friday. City officials plans to close off access after the weekend, due to coronavirus concerns
The state’s total includes 510 Florida residents and 53 non-Florida residents, according to figures released by the Florida Department of Health.
Miami-Dade County has 123 cases, while Broward leads the state with 128.
State health officials say they are monitoring 1,049 other people for possible infection.
Coronavirus cases across the United States as of Friday afternoon
Most other beaches in Florida have already closed due to coronavirus concerns. A sign warns visitors away from the sand in Miami Beach
An electronic road sign advised motorists in Fort Lauderdale that the beach there was closed
Police in Jacksonville are seen getting there orders just before clearing the beach after access there was closed
Officers on horseback patrol the beach in Key West after it was closed
Business owners in Clearwater begged Mayor George N. Cretekos to not close the beaches during Spring Break, which is the tourist area’s biggest moneymaker, Tampa Bay Newspapers reports.
Officials, however, still went forward with the beach closing plan, which followed a Pinellas County Commission decision last week to close all of the county’s beaches and public beach parking until April 4.
‘It’s devastating for our members. They do not have a work-from-home option,’ Amanda Payne, executive director for Amplify Clearwater, the area’s regional chamber of commerce told Tampa Bay Newspapers.