BEACHES OPEN: Families flock to St Johns County beaches amid coronavirus

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — St Johns County is the only local county in Northeast Florida where the beaches remain open, and county leaders say they’ll stay that way.

The public parking lot next to Mickler’s Beach is empty. Police were near the entrance Monday afternoon to make sure it stays that way.

But people are finding ways around this.

Dozens of cars lined Ponta Vedra Boulevard as neighbors park by the road and walk to the sand.

A sign posted near the entrance of Mickler’s Beach urges people to practice social distancing, to gather in groups no larger than 10 people and to keep 6 feet away from others.

On Sunday, county officials ordered all public beach parking lots to close this morning in response to the local state of emergency, and they will remain closed until further notice.

Action News Jax reporter Jamarlo Phillips called four St. Johns County commissioners Monday to talk about their decision to close beach parking but keeping the beaches open.

Action News Jax gave each one of them plenty of time to respond, but still have not heard back.

While some families Phillips talked to say they are thankful the beaches in St. Johns County are open, other neighbors worry it runs counter to the global effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

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