Sign up for our COVID-19 newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest coronavirus news throughout New York

The City of Long Beach is closing its iconic boardwalk to as of 8 p.m. Thursday until further notice to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the city said.

Many parks have remained open across Long Island, allowing residents an outlet amid work, school, and socialization restrictions designed to keep the virus from spreading to a rate it will overwhelm the hospital system, but Long Beach officials determined the public wasn’t practicing proper social distancing on the boardwalk.

“We cannot allow our boardwalk, the heart of our city, to become a major venue for transmission,” Long Beach City Council President John Bendo said. “Long Beach is a very densely populated community with a disproportionally high number of first responders and health care providers who call the city home. For your own health and theirs, this is a measure we need to take.”

The beach will remain open, although access will be limited by the boardwalk closure.

“Police officers will continue to patrol the boardwalk and monitor the cameras placed throughout,” Bendo added. “In addition to the beach, we recommend you walk or bike your immediate neighborhood to get some fresh air or exercise…while practicing social distancing, of course.”

Related Story: Long Island Coronavirus School Closures Likely To Be Extended

Related Story: As NYC Residents Flee To Long Island To Avoid COVID-19, White House Suggests They Self-Isolate

Related Story: LI Has More Coronavirus Cases Than The Second-Most Impacted State in U.S.

Related Story: LI Agencies, Hospitals Seek Donations Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Related Story: NY Coronavirus Peak Coming Sooner Than First Thought

Related Story: 3 Things You Can Do For Coronavirus Prevention

Related Story: Hauppauge-based Chembio Develops Rapid COVID-19 Test

Related Story: Northwell Health Initiates Clinical Trials of 2 COVID-19 Drugs

Related Story: 2 More LI Drive-Through Coronavirus Test Sites Open in Jericho, Stony Brook

Related Story: U.S. Army To Build Temporary Hospitals For Coronavirus Patients In Stony Brook, Old Westbury