How to Hit the Beach Safely During COVID-19 Pandemic

You can hit the beach safely this summer, even though the COVID-19 pandemic shows no signs of letting up. Just follow a few safety tips.

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The Fourth of July weekend is a popular time to hit the beach. But this year, COVID-19 cases are soaring in several states with great beaches — like Florida, Alabama, and California.

The coronavirus is keeping some tourists away. In Daytona Beach, for example, the Shores Resort and Spa has had a few cancellations. But management expects the resort to be 80% full for the long holiday weekend. Experts predict that the Fourth of July weekend will be the busiest in months.

We expect beaches to be packed. If you aren’t good at social distancing and don’t believe in masks, you should probably stay home. But if you’re prepared to hit the beach safely, it’s perfectly fine to go during the pandemic. Just follow a few safety tips.

Consider When To Go

If your schedule is flexible, consider going to your beach destination another time. During the Fourth of July holiday, beaches are crowded and prices expensive. You’ll save money and have an easier time following health guidelines at nearly any other time.

Also make sure the beach you plan to visit is open. Beaches in Los Angeles County and South Florida will be closed during the Fourth of July weekend.

Keep Your Social Distance

Beaches are big places, very big! There should be plenty of room to enjoy the beach and maintain six feet of physical distance from other groups of people. If your stretch of beach is too crowded, move down the beach.

When beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent, they are usually more than six feet apart in a normal year. So it may be a good option to ensure yourself a bit more space.

Have Your Mask Ready

Once you have a spot, there should be no reason to wear a face covering at the beach. But you may be approached by someone, or you may need to move around yourself. Be ready to wear a mask if you get into close quarters with others.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises people NOT to wear face coverings in the water, as they can make breathing difficult. Just keep six feet of distance instead.

Pack a Lunch

We didn’t visit any restaurants during our last two visits to the beach. We instead bought sandwiches for when we got hungry. If you’re staying at the beach for a few days, consider renting a condo or a hotel room with a kitchen.

Support Responsible Businesses

If you decide to eat at a restaurant or go shopping, you’re likely to find plenty of businesses that aren’t following the rules. Don’t go there!

At restaurants, employees should wear face coverings. They should keep tables separated for social distancing. By following basic rules, you should be safe to eat at a restaurant. Especially if you can get a table outside.

In retail stores, standard procedure should be face coverings for all. If a store is adhering to good guidelines and common sense, thank them with your words and your business. Reinforce good behavior.

The Beach is a Healthy Activity

When done right, you can safely hit the beach during the COVID-19 pandemic. And the CDC says it’s healthy to get outside and get some sun:

Staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy. In many areas, people can visit parks, trails, and open spaces as a way to relieve stress, get some fresh air and vitamin D, stay active, and safely connect with others.

There is also some evidence that heat and humidity are helpful against viruses. But as we’ve seen from the growing number of cases across the South, sunlight won’t slow the virus if people choose not to wear masks and adhere to social distancing.

Prepare for Criticism

With coronavirus cases rising, chances are good that social media and the 24/7 news outlets will criticize basically everyone who goes to the beach. You’ll be called irresponsible and worse. My family enjoyed the Alabama Gulf Coast over Memorial Day weekend, a beach CNN breathlessly reported from with their cameras.

CNN found plenty of people who ignored social distancing guidelines. They found people who said the coronavirus is in God’s hands, as if that’s an excuse to ignore the safety of others. CNN reporter Gary Tuchman was correct to point these things out. Several beaches across the country will be closed for the holiday weekend, and it’s clear to see why.

But Tuchman must have also noticed thousands of people following the rules and maintaining their social distance. He just never mentioned them. He painted everyone who went to that beach that weekend as irresponsible.

Yes, plenty of beach goers will ignore safety guidelines this weekend. But if you’re not among the violators, don’t let others make you feel guilty about doing something good for yourself.

Final Thoughts

I have no plans to go to the beach during the Fourth of July weekend. My home is only an hour away and we can go anytime. Next weekend, maybe. It will be a lot less crowded.

I’m also getting close to the anniversary date for my Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, another in my portfolio of travel rewards cards. This card includes a $250 Hilton resort credit. We’ll use that credit later this summer at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel. It’s eco-friendly and one of our favorite places to stay in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

But if you’re planning a beach trip, simply play by the rules and be healthy. Don’t be the reason why another beach gets closed over coronavirus.

My wife tells me that the beach is her happy place. Sunshine is good for all of us. Don’t let coronavirus keep you from what you enjoy, and what you can do responsibly. Yes, you can hit the beach safely, in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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[Photo: Panama City Beach | Eupator via Wikimedia Commons]