VACANT BEACHES DURING SHELTER-IN-PLACE ORDER

SANTA CRUZ >> Saturday marked the first full day of new restrictions included in Santa Cruz County’s updated shelter-in-place order.

Health of ficials announced this week the hard closure of all beaches within county lines between the hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The latest health order update, approved Thursday, has no expiration date and is likely to be updated about once every few weeks. As of Saturday afternoon, Santa Cruz County had confirmed a total of 134 cases of COVID-19, including 89 recoveries, two deaths and 20 hospitalizations.

At all times, people wishing to get into and out of the water for recreational water sports may pass over the beach sands and the blackout hours do not apply to the sidewalks, streets and parks adjacent to the beaches. However, sitting, lying, standing, sunbathing, sight-seeing, picnicking and all other nonexercise, passive or sedentary activities on beach parkways are prohibited and may result in a citation.

The order continues the 24-7 prohibition on umbrellas, shade structures, tents, barbecues and grills, coolers, beach chairs or other materials used for sitting and lying.

Shelter-in-place order enforcement, which can come with citations as high as $1,000, will be on a caseby- case basis, according to Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart.

At all times, people wishing to get into and out of the water for recreational water sports may pass over the beach sands and the blackout hours do not apply to sidewalks, streets and parks adjacent to the beaches.

PHOTOS BY SHMUEL THALER — SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL Santa Cruz city fire and police patrol an empty Main Beach Saturday afternoon. Few problems existed at the beach with citizens complying with the COVID-19 closure order.

Despite the closure order, parked cars line Highway 1 north of Santa Cruz around midday Saturday near closed parking areas.