California lawmakers plead: fight virus, don't pack beaches

LOS ANGELES (AP) — With cases of coronavirus surging and the death toll rising, lawmakers are pleading with cooped-up Californians not to let a beautiful, sunny weekend tempt them into ignoring social distancing designed to slow the spread of the infections.

It has been more than a week since Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a stay-at-home order for 40 million residents, restricting them from all but essential outside activities such as buying food and including only outdoor exercise such as walking or running near home that doesn't put them within 6 feet (1.8 meters) of another person.

However, reports of people packing beaches and hiking trails has prompted local governments to close recreation areas.

Los Angeles this weekend began a three-week shutdown of beaches, piers, beach bike paths and parking lots along with public trails, including one leading to the famous Hollywood sign. Golf courses, tennis courts and skate parks also were shuttered.

“It’s going to be sunnier and warmer, springtime weather is coming out, you might say: ‘Now it’s time for me to go outside,’" Mayor Eric Garcetti said Friday. “Don’t.”

“Stay home. It’s that simple," he said. “And I know it’s tough. But seeing our neighbors and loved ones die will be so much tougher.”

In San Diego, the most popular beaches were blocked with yellow police tape and police were patrolling them to discourage people from congregating there. San Diego County sheriff's deputies are stressing compliance with the state and county orders but spokesman Ricardo Lopez said scofflaws could face misdemeanor charges carrying a sentence of up to six months in jail.

On Friday, Newsom and Garcetti said the surge in COVID-19 that health officials warned about will worsen.

“We are now seeing the spike that...