US: California beaches reopen after weekend virus closure

Many Southern California beaches reopened Monday after being closed for the weekend over fears that crowds could transmit the coronavirus.

In Malibu, sunbathers and surfers were back on the sand and in the water.

One beachgoer, Bobby Kramer, told KABC-TV that people appeared to be social distancing on the beach Monday.

Californians mostly heeded warnings to stay away from beaches and other public spaces during the long weekend..

Many communities cancelled July 4 fireworks shows and other annual festivities, changes that appeared to successfully keep crowds at bay.

The beach closures that began Friday in greater Los Angeles rolled northward through Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

In Orange County, hugely popular beaches such as Huntington and Newport also closed Saturday and Sunday.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.