Going to beach? Follow basic precautions
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Americans have never been more ready to get out of the house and bask in the sun. Warm-weather beach destinations are the most popular vacation searches, with Florida — particularly Key West — San Diego and Myrtle Beach, S.C., among the top considerations.
According to TripAdvisor, 50 percent of travelers are looking to book a one- to five-day trip this month, suggesting massive pent-up demand for sand and surf. But the craving for a beach getaway coincides with recent spikes in coronavirus cases in nearly half the states, including Florida, Texas and the Carolinas.
The good news for beachgoers is that 83 percent of beaches are now open — up from only 56 percent two weeks ago, according to the National Recreation and Park Association. Experts agree that outdoor activities are relatively low risk because the air helps disperse virus particles, as long as you follow basic precautions.
“It is not going to be your typical summer at the shore. Most beaches are going to have restrictions around physical distancing,” said Allison Colman, director of health for the National Recreation and Park Association.
Common changes include parking restrictions to control crowds, limits on leisure activities like sunbathing, and nixing coolers, chairs, umbrellas and other gear. Beach rules vary widely by city and county, and visitors should check their destination’s regulations before heading out.
In many areas, “beach ambassadors” are strolling the sand to enforce social distancing. Nearly 50 percent of agencies are using park rangers, law enforcement or other staff to disperse crowds, Colman said.
If you’re downwind from groups of people, even if you’re more than 6 feet apart, respiratory droplets can be blown, putting you at greater risk, said Dr. Shawn Nasseri, a Beverly Hills, Calif., ear, nose and throat specialist.
If it’s not crowded, it might be safe to enjoy a beach day without a mask with a small group, and ideally bring your own towels, toys, chairs and food. If you need to rent equipment, just make sure to use a disinfectant wipe.
“The caveat is that people cannot be packed like sardines on the beach. They can’t be sitting on top of each other,” Nasseri said.
If the parking lot is full or the beach looks packed, experts advise picking another beach or coming back at offpeak hours like weekday mornings and evenings.
Trickiest to navigate are high-traffic areas like parking lots and narrow ramps to and from the water. Wearing a mask is advised.
“People have that quarantine fatigue in LA and other coastal cities, and literally they’re saying, ‘forget it’ … that’s when we’re seeing bumps,” Nasseri said.
Nasseri says a car-ride getaway is safe as long as vacationers follow social distancing at fuel stops, stay at hotels following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sanitation guidelines, and stick to takeout meals to avoid crowds.