Today the County of San Diego announced that the water restrictions in its County Health Order would be removed effective Monday, April 27th, and that individual cities would be responsible for their respective beach closures. As such, the cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach are issuing this joint release to advise the public that we will not be reopening our beaches on Monday, April 27th. Our beaches will remain closed until further notice while the two cities respectively evaluate the staffing, protocols, and logistics necessary to reopen the beaches in accordance with the requirements of the County Health Officer’s amended health order, and in order to protect the health and safety of city personnel and the public.
 
While Del Mar and Solana Beach participated in a regional discussion this week regarding a coordinated approach to reopening beaches, the cities did not approve the phased approach referenced both by the County of San Diego and City of San Diego. As was expressed as recently as Wednesday this week, there was inadequate time for each city to share their unique concerns and needs for a coordinated approach to reopening the beaches and to discuss this approach with our respective City Councils.
 
Throughout the discussions, all parties, including the County, agreed that reopening of our beaches and the implementation of a two-phased approach would occur in accordance with State and Federal guidelines for reopening based on Coronavirus data points for the region. However, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported today by the County of San Diego indicates a dramatic two-day spike of cases rather than a downward or flattening trend.
 
As part of any beach reopening, the County’s order requires that limiting parking and beach activity to walking and running remain in effect. This will require the cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach to evaluate how best to implement these and other public safety measures, including providing the necessary staffing and personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to render medical aid and monitor and enforce public safety, as well as the costs associated with implementation. The cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach remain committed to continuing the regional dialogue in anticipation of reopening our beaches when the data confirms that it is safe to do so.
 
Further information on timing for beach reopening will be provided as available. For additional information, please visit the City's website at www.cityofsolanabeach.org or call 858-720-2477.