Florida cheers as beaches reopen
SUN-SEEKERS have been flocking to Florida’s famous beaches after they reopened despite coronavirus risks.
In Jacksonville, video footage showed people cheering as they ran on to the sand when weeks of closures ended on Friday evening. It came despite the state confirming its number of cases had risen by 1,421 to 24,753, with 726 new deaths.
The relaxed social distancing rules mean beaches in the city are open from 6am to 11am and 5pm to 8pm for walking and swimming. Sunbathing is banned.
Mayor Lenny Curry warned: ‘If for some reason it turns to helter-skelter, we’re going to pull the plug again.’
The route to ending the lockdown has become increasingly divisive in America.
Governors were incensed when President Donald Trump last week claimed he had ‘total’ power to lift lockdowns. He said when it came to reopening the economy, ‘the President of the United States calls the shots’.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo accused Mr Trump of ‘spoiling for a fight’ and the President reignited the row when he appeared to endorse protests against lockdowns in Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia. First he sent a series of tweets reading, ‘LIBERATE MINNESOTA’, ‘LIBERATE MICHIGAN’ and ‘LIBERATE VIRGINIA’. Then, at a press conference on Friday, he said the restrictions – including orders to stay at home – had been ‘too tough’.
Protesters say lockdowns limit movement unreasonably and are stifling economic activity. In recent days, there have been demonstrations, ranging in size from a few dozen to several thousands of people, in Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Minnesota, Utah, Virginia and Kentucky.
Mr Trump has recommended three phases of slowly reopening businesses and social life, each lasting a minimum of a fortnight.
In Spain, which yesterday saw its coronavirus death toll exceed 20,000, calls to relax the country’s lockdown are also gathering support. Parents and some regional politicians have backed a ‘Free Our Children!’ campaign, pressuring the government to allow children to play outside.
The country, which is entering its sixth week of lockdown, has one of the highest death rates in the world and is expected to extend restrictions until at least May 10.