NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — Flagler County will allow for reopening its beaches Wednesday on a limited basis for physical and mental health activities, the county said in a press release sent out Tuesday.
The limited beach reopening is based on adherence to social distancing measures and access for physical and mental health activities only – exercising not socializing – walking, biking, surfing, fishing, not congregating like during normal times. Additionally, those fishing will be allowed to carry a small cooler or container for bait and tackle use.
The city of Flagler Beach will reopen its six-mile segment of the beach from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. The unincorporated areas of the beach – inclusive of Beverly Beach and Marineland – will be open from 7 to 10 a.m., and in the evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
In Nassau County, the county board voted Wednesday to open Nassau beaches on May 6. Nassau County City Commissioner Danny Leeper said the county would like to work with each town to re-open the beaches in a coordinated and thoughtful way.
Beaches in Nassau County have been closed for one month as of Wednesday, while Duval County beaches have now been open for about five days.
Nassau County commissioners said they had hoped for a unified effort between all coastal counties in Northeast Florida, including Duval and St. Johns, to coordinate the opening of beaches.