Orange County beaches to begin phased reopening in Laguna Beach

Orange County beaches in South Laguna will begin phased reopening after state officials approved the county’s plan to restore public access.

The California Natural Resources Agency announced Thursday in a press release that the county’s plan was consistent with the statewide stay-at-home order. The county was initially targeted by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who called for a “hard close” of the county’s beaches. The county closed all its beaches on May 1.

The limited reopening affects all county beaches, which reopened Thursday. This includes Aliso, Table Rock, West, Camel Point and Treasure Island beaches. Thousand Steps beach will remain closed.

Beaches will be open from 6 to 10 a.m. weekdays for active use only.

This announcement follows previous approvals of plans for phased beach reopenings by the cities of Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach earlier this week. Limited access for Laguna Beach was restored Tuesday.

“I have been working closely with all of our coastal cities in order to safely and responsibly re-open our treasured local beaches,” Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) said in a statement. “This spirit of collaboration and cooperation is absolutely critical as we confront this pandemic and navigate California’s recovery.”

Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, who oversees South Orange County cities such as Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, said in a statement that she was pleased with the “alternative to a complete shutdown.”

Parking lots at beaches and public amenities will remain closed.

“This phased approach allows us to reopen our beaches in a prudent, responsible manner that prioritizes public health and safety, while recognizing the importance of outdoor recreation,” Bartlett said. “We want Orange County residents to get back to fully enjoying their beaches as safely and quickly as possible.”

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