Alabama beaches remain open despite COVID-19

[Celerity]

https://www.wsfa.com/2020/03/18/alabama-beaches-remain-open-despite-covid-/

MOBILE, Ala. (WSFA) - Despite Americans being urged to avoid large crowds and to self-isolate as a way of limiting the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alabama’s coast is still drawing crowds and beaches remain open. WALA-TV in south Alabama reports the illness is having “minimal impact” on places like Gulf Shores and Orange Beach as spring break gets underway.

Asked Wednesday why people are still flocking to the area despite the risks, tourism officials said they don’t have the authority to close the beaches. The beaches in Baldwin County are a mix of private, city, county and even state property, which could make any efforts to mutually close them a difficult task.

"I don’t want to be in their shoes,” said Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Tourism Pres./CEO Herb Malone. "It’s big decisions to make, whether it’s in the city halls of Orange Beach or Gulf Shores or in the county commission. All these elected people have a lot of weight on their shoulders right now.”

The City of Orange Beach says all public access points to its area beaches are owned by the state and any decisions about their closure would have to come from the state. Baldwin County tourism authorities say hotels and other rentals are at 70 percent capacity. Restaurants continue to serve dine-in customers for now, although that could soon change.

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[BigmanPigman]

1. I made the mistake last night of blaming the FL state govt

for the beaches there staying open. A FL DUer said the state govt was not the agency to blame, it is a local govt thing.

Now I read this which says just the opposite. What is true and what isn't? I want to put the blame on the correct agencies. Does it vary from state to state?

THIS is why we must have COUNTRY WIDE LOCK DOWN NOW!

[KY_EnviroGuy]

2. Unfortunately, I don't think there's any way to enforce such rules.

Even if it's a legal ban, police do not or will not enforce anything that's not immediately life-threatening in many cities and counties because the authorities don't want the officers being exposed except in emergencies.

This is a failure of the families of these young people, IMO. Many parents funded these kid's trips.

Lives will be lost, both young and old.......

[BigmanPigman]

5. I wonder if those parents' kids will be bringing home some viral souvenirs.

Those genius parents will reap what they sow!

[KY_EnviroGuy]

10. Yep, and they'll get to tell their kids how it was that they killed grandpa.

These kids and their parents simply are ether ignorant or in denial of the risks.

Not likely any will be smart enough to understand they should blame their parents and both Trump and Rush Limbaugh for killing grandpa either....along with their own personal stupidity.

And, all the coastal red states don't want to lose the tourist revenue or the campaign donation support of tourism corporations.

I give up......

[Celerity]

4. I think it varies from state to state, but the feds supercede them all. You can but imagine if Obama

was still POTUS and ordered Alabama to close down.

They will probably bow to the orange god emperor though.

[Mariana]

7. Florida and Alabama are different states and have different laws. nt.

[msongs]

3. an uncrowded beach is very low risk. I walk the park and the beach every day here...but few people

not a bunch of drunk pre-adults like florida spring break

[Celerity]

6. except soon it will look like this in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

[Ferrets are Cool]

8. Exactly

[Celerity]

9. +1