IRLNews:2020/03/27/Brevard County Reverses Beach Closure Decision

From Indian River Lagoon Project
Brevard County Reverses Beach Closure Decision
March 27, 2020
Beachside - The Brevard County Commission has reversed its decision to close all county beaches during mid-day this weekend. Beach closure decisions will now be made by each individual municipality.

Source: March 27 Brevard County Commission Meeting Facebook Video



Brevard Beach Closure News Update

The following is from State Rep. Randy Fine's FB Page:

03/27/2020 11:00am - "The Brevard County Commission just voted to overturn the Brevard Policy Board's decision to close relevant beaches from 11-4 today through Sunday, by a vote of 4 to 1. My understanding is that Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach will remain closed during those times, under decisions made by their local jurisdictions, as is Sebastian Inlet State Park 24x7, at the decision of the State, and Canaveral National Seashore 24x7, at the decision of the Federal Government. The following beaches will remain open: beaches in unincorporated Brevard, Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, Melbourne, Indian Harbor Beach, and Cape Canaveral."

03/27/2020 2:00pm - BEACH CLOSURE UPDATE - Melbourne Beach and Indialantic beaches are closed, effective immediately, 11-4 Friday to Sunday, after which time they will re-assess.

To summarize:

Open normally:

  • Cape Canaveral
  • Indian Harbor Beach
  • Melbourne
  • Unincorporated Brevard

Closed 11-4 Friday to Sunday

  • Cocoa Beach
  • Satellite Beach
  • Indialantic
  • Melbourne Beach

Closed indefinitely during the pandemic

  • Canaveral National Seashore
  • Sebastian Inlet State Park


News Update

March 27, 2020 4:45pm - Brevard County Press Release

Rescinded: County Beaches Will Remain Open

BREVARD COUNTY, FL. -- County beaches will remain open this weekend after a Policy Group activated for the COVID-19 pandemic voted Friday afternoon to rescind planned closings during the peak hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, March 29. The vote, however, has no bearing on whether municipal beaches up and down the 72-mile shoreline stay open or closed.

Beachside parks and beachside parking access throughout the county will remain closed. Some beachside cities, including Satellite Beach and Cocoa Beach, have already ordered closures. Other municipalities were expected to follow suit.

The Policy Group members, which include Brevard County Commission Chair Bryan Lober; County Manager Frank Abbate; County Attorney Eden Bentley; Brevard County Fire Rescue Chief Mark Schollmeyer; Public Safety Director Matt Wallace; and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey voted to rescind the closings. Group members Maria Stahl, Brevard Health Department Administrator for the Florida Department of Health, and Brevard County Emergency Management Director Kimberly Prosser voted against rescission. Member and Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Mark Mullins was absent.

The group recommends that all beachgoers follow CDC recommendations to practice social distancing of at least 6 feet, and to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.


Web Link

Florida Today Article: Coronavirus in Brevard County: County Commission asks sheriff not to enforce midday weekend beach closings
Location: Atlantic Ocean: Beachside: Brevard County
Source: Facebook post from Brevard County Government.. on March 27, 2020. Retrieved on March 27, 2020.
Topic: Brevard County Locale
Poster: AdminPosted: 03/27/2020
Indian River Lagoon News - 2020/03/27/Brevard County Reverses Beach Closure Decision
This weekends Brevard Beach closures will now be determined by each municipality.