Briona Arradondo reports CLEARWATER, Fla. - While beaches in other parts of Florida shut down to avoid the spread of the novel coronavirus, Pinellas County has decided to keep its beaches open and urge social distancing.
Thousands of people hit the sand in Pinellas County for spring break this week, despite growing concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
While COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the state, county leaders said Tuesday beaches will stay open. “The hotel owners and those who operate all these properties have asked us not the shut down the beaches because it affects, like, livelihood, and it affects their businesses, and for a whole host of other reasons,” said Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.