Beach restrictions, social distancing rules will still be enforced for Memorial Day weekend

As we get closer to our Memorial Day weekend, what are county and city leaders doing to make sure everyone stays safe?

So far, it looks like every county has its own set of rules, and the biggest test of those rules will happen on the beaches of Collier County and Naples.

Both the city and the county plan to enforce its new rule of clearing sand of everyone Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day Monday at 11 a.m.

After two months away, Wednesday marked the first day back on the beach for Gayle Spalding.

“It’s been wonderful and people are abiding by the six feet apart rule,” she said. “It’s not overcrowded, it’s just a nice day.”

She knows the rules are different this holiday weekend, but that won’t stop her from getting some sun on the sand.

“We’ll probably come back to one of the beaches if it’s not overcrowded,” she said.

But Chris Utz, another beachgoer, said he’s not going to get there early only to pack up and leave.

“It’s going to be a shame for us local guys because we would love to be here for three days,” Utz said. “It’s going to be a tough weekend, so I guess I’ll just hang around the pool.”

Lee County beaches will be open all day with social distancing required.

The other rule that is still in place throughout Southwest Florida is no mass gatherings. Right now, the limit is no more than 10 people.

As for the beaches in Charlotte County, they will be open with no restrictions other than social distancing.

If the beach isn’t your thing, or if you want to commemorate Memorial Day, the Southwest Florida Military Museum and Library in Cape Coral will be open with 140 people allowed inside at a time.

“We are going to keep a pretty strict count on people that come in,” said Ralph. “We don’t want to overstep our boundaries, so to speak.

While the Military Museum’s annual parade will not be held, the 36th Annual Memorial Day Remembrance will go on just down the street. The service pays tribute to those in uniform who died serving our nation.