White Rock beach remains open, mayor ‘pleased’ with social distancing
Posted April 14, 2020 6:13 pm.
Last Updated April 14, 2020 6:14 pm.
WHITE ROCK (NEWS 1130) — White Rock beach will remain open for now despite the iconic pier and promenade closing to the public.
Mayor Darryl Walker says while some are calling for access to the popular spot to be restricted, it’s the province that would make the call.
“We don’t have any control or say on the beach. So what we have done is make sure that access to the beach is available despite the fact the promenade is closed,” he explains.
RELATED: White Rock waterfront promenade closes Friday to prevent spread of COVID-19
Even though the province has jurisdiction over the beach, Walker says he doesn’t see a need to close it anyway.
“I’m quite pleased with the respect that people are showing for the rules and the process. Over the weekend I was down there virtually every day,” he says. “People are doing a fairly good job at distancing [and] there wasn’t a lot of traffic down there.”
While he understands families will gather for things like picnics, he asks people to continue respecting the distancing rule and only be with people in the same household.
The mayor adds the city has staff down at the beach directing traffic and access to the beach through two authorized entrances.
The Waterfront Promenade is closing starting April 10 to help reduce the spread of #COVID19. Mayor Darryl Walker announced the decision today, anticipating groups on the beach and walkways as warm weather and long weekends approach. Read full release: https://t.co/F87z2z4mFA pic.twitter.com/tqTJLm0X2S
— City of White Rock (@whiterockcity) April 8, 2020
The city closed the promenade last week as well as the iconic White Rock Pier to encourage social distancing.
