Monday mornings can be a hassle, but when St. Johns County reopened its beaches for all activities last Monday, the biggest struggle was finding a parking spot within walking distance from the dearly missed ocean.
It was a sunny morning and the Mickler’s Beach parking lot was full by 10:45 a.m. Ponte Vedra Beach residents and guests from surrounding areas eagerly walked towards the ocean.
Ready to lay out and finally sunbath, beachgoer Angela Sneed searched for the perfect spot – distanced enough from the crowds to try and feel safe from the COVID-19 pandemic, but still close enough to be able to walk back to her car.
“We’re doing the best we can to be as safe as possible, but we just really needed to be out in the sun and enjoy this beautiful day,” Sneed said.
Sneed lives in Georgia but is in town checking on family during the pandemic.
“We’ve been cooped up indoors for so long, we just finally needed some light. And since I’m visiting, I may as well take advantage of the views,” Sneed added.
Another beach attendee, Josh Mulligan, was excited for the reopening to bring back a “sense of normalcy” that has been missing since the shutdown.
“It will take a long time to get back to our regular patterns and enjoy large gatherings,” he said. “But right now, letting locals enjoy the beach safely and have social distancing is good for the community.”
While those catching some rays and waves agree, others are playing it by ear and waiting a little longer for the pandemic to calm.
“I’m waiting a month to see what happens,” said Jacksonville’s Bryan Askins, an avid beach goer. “Although I’m happy our governor is implementing phases to bring everything back, I feel like we needed at least another month before doing so. I just feel like we are reopening too soon.”
In late March, associate medical examiner for St. Johns, Flagler and Putnam counties, Dr. Deanna Oleske, emailed St. Johns County Administrator Hunter Conrad and requested for him to “protect the residents” and close all beaches due to COVID-19 concerns.
Although Oleske has made no recent updates and doctors in St. Johns County weren’t consulted on the reopening, spokesman for St. Johns County, Michael Ryan, did speak to the New York Times on Thursday, in coordination with Duval County, and said that people were following social distancing guidelines so far.
As of Monday, St. Johns County beaches are open for normal hours and regular activities, with only social distancing regulations being implemented.
