CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Kleberg County
Kleberg County will be following Nueces County's ordering restricting vehicular access to the beaches and setting a curfew until August 1. The curfew will be from 8:30 p.m. - 6 a.m.
Pedestrians will still be allowed. The order does not impact Baffin Bay or Loyola Beach.
North and McGee Beach Rules
- Exercise: Yes
- Swimming: Yes
- Fishing: Yes
- Vehicle Access: No
- Social Gathering (10 or more): No
- Lying down: No
- Overnight Camping: No
- Tents: No
- Sitting: No
- Chairs: No
Padre Island Gulf Beach Rules
- Exercise: Yes
- Swimming: Yes
- Fishing: Yes
- Vehicle Access: No
- Social Gathering (10 or more): No
- Lying down: Yes
- Overnight Camping: No
- Tents: Yes
- Sitting: Yes
- Chairs: Yes
Rockport
Officials in Rockport have decided to close vehicular traffic into Rockport Beach beginning Sunday, July 19 at 11:59 p.m. until Saturday, Aug 1. at 6 a.m.
Pedestrian access will still be available.
The Aransas County Navigation District said boat ramps -- other than the beach ramp -- will remain open.
Nueces County beaches, parks, local pools and splash pads:
Tougher restrictions are coming back to our coastal beaches from July 15 until August 1. Vehicles will not be allowed on the beaches. However, walking is permitted. There will also be a curfew from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Parks and city pools are also being shut down.
From Port Aransas down to the Padre Island National Seashore, beaches will once again be closed to vehicle traffic.
"We are just trying to reduce as many exposure options as we can," Mayor McComb said.
Mayor McComb acknowledged that the move to reinstate beach restrictions won't be a popular idea for some residents, but it is something that had to be done.
"Going to be extremely important for us to try and get the curve to start going down," City Manager Peter Zanoni said.
Zanoni said the order is mostly aimed at keeping an influx of tourists from descending on our area and adding to the spread of the virus. He said over the Memorial Day weekend 25,000 vehicles went over the JFK Causeway. When beach access was restricted during the Fourth of July weekend, there were only 4,000 vehicles.
"By closing vehicle traffic access, it will restrict the number of persons coming into the city and going onto the beach and that's the goal," Zanoni said.
North Beach and McGee Beach will also see access restrictions. You have to be active on those two beaches.
- No sitting with chairs
- No tents
- No laying
Meanwhile, the city has also announced a list of eight regional parks that will be closed along with city pools and splash pads.
City Parks Closures
- Bill Witt Park
- West Guth Park
- Manuel Q. Salinas Park
- The Water’s Edge
- Cole Park
- Labonte Park
- Lakeview Park
- Parker Park
City Pool Closures
- Collier
- Corpus Christi Natatorium
- Greenwood
- H-E-B
- Oso
- West Guth Park
City Splash Pads Closures
- Bill Witt Park
- Lindale Park
- Salinas Park
Sunrise Beach RV Park at Lake Corpus Christi Closure
- Picnic, waterfront areas and campsite reservations are closed for the same period.
Corpus Christi Marina - Jet Skis Closed
City Health Initiative
- Safe Fun Fit at the Bayfront offered at The Water’s Edge will be temporarily suspended until Saturday, August 1, 2020.
- ADA accessible parking to remain open at Whitecap Beach, Packery Channel and Windward parking lots. Golf cart only access will also be permitted at Whitecap Beach.
"Staff were telling me today that some of our pools right now have 100 children and that's at 50-percent capacity," Zanoni said.
Health experts said the spread of the virus is happening among families and close contact with people they know.
Leaders said the order could be extended if the numbers continue to climb.
Additional highlights from the press briefing on July 15:
- The City of Corpus Christi is asking for volunteers. Call Liza Wizner (361) 826 - 3336.
- The health district is ordering that after you test positive for the coronavirus, you must call the people you've been in contact with to inform them to quarantine for 14 days.
- You're cleared from the coronavirus once you have had no fever for three consecutive days and have stopped using over-the-counter drugs to treat a fever. Shortness of breath and cough must also improve. 10 days after no symptoms, you may released from quarantine.
- If you have other family members who have COVID-19, you can not be released until they have recovered.
For the latest updates on coronavirus in the Coastal Bend, click here.
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- TABC says HardKnocks violated an executive order requiring bars to remain closed during the coronavirus pandemic
- CCPD: H-E-B will remain open for operations, buy for necessity and not for stockpiling
- Lake Corpus Christi State Park closed after individual tests positive for the coronavirus
- Online school extended for districts in Texas