MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — Martin County will open its beaches to anyone, not just county residents, starting on Wednesday.
Officials reopened beaches on May 8 to county residents only after nearly two months of closures due to the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
But on Tuesday, county leaders announced they're relaxing restrictions and opening county beaches to all residents.
In addition, Hobe Sound Beach, which was closed because of its proximity to Palm Beach County, will reopen on Wednesday.
Tape will come down tomorrow as @MartinCountygov decides to reopen Hobe Sound Beach. Tape put up along Bridge Road to prevent parking outside beach lot. @WPTV pic.twitter.com/ivNY4jC0Am
— Jon Shainman (@JonShainman) May 19, 2020
"Logistically, we could not open that beach and check IDs at same time," said Commissioner Harold Jenkins. "With that restriction gone now, that gives us ability to open this beach up, and locals and residents in south county area can enjoy that beach."
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The decision comes just one day after beaches throughout Palm Beach County were allowed to reopen.
Beaches in neighboring Miami-Dade and Broward counties will remain closed until May 26, the day after Memorial Day.
On Tuesday, county leaders addressed concerns that residents from Miami-Dade and Broward counties may drive up to Martin County to go to beaches there.
"The Palm Beach County beaches opened. All of them," said Commissioner Edward Ciampi. "I don't think if you live in Miami-Dade or Broward you would drive past all of the open beaches in Palm Beach County and continue your way up here."
According to the latest numbers from the Florida Department of Health, there are 396 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Martin County, including eight deaths.