tentenPublic Health ordered L.A. County beaches to close from July 3 through July 6 and prohibited firework shows in order to prevent crowding during the Independence Day weekend.
From 12:01 a.m., Friday to 5 a.m., Monday, all recreational activities at public beaches, bike paths and piers will be closed to the public.
The closures include spots from Marina del Rey Harbor, down to 25 miles of beaches along the Los Angeles County coastline — Zuma, Malibu, Surfrider and Venice beaches will all be affected by the closures.
“Closing the beaches and prohibiting fireworks displays during this important summer holiday weekend was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but it’s the responsible decision to protect public health and protect our residents from a deadly virus,” Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer said. “The Fourth of July holiday weekend typically means large crowds and gatherings to celebrate, a recipe for increased transmission of COVID-19,”
Ferrer said in an earlier public address that regulations that have been in place through the pandemic are not permanent and she believes it is “totally possible” to celebrate the next Fourth of July under normal circumstances again.
“This is temporary. This is not forever. This is not even for another year. This is a set of temporary steps we’re asking everyone to take because we have seen these dramatic increases,” Ferrer said.