Beaches in Jacksonville will be among the first in the United States to reopen to the public this evening

Socially distanced activities such as walking and biking will be permitted – but sunbathing has been banned

Republican Mayor Lenny Curry said: ‘This can be the beginning of the pathway back to normal life’

Many slammed the decision with coronavirus cases still rising in the state, but others welcomed the move

It also goes against Trump’s re-opening recommendations that cases should have declined for 14 days

Florida officials were criticized for not closing the beaches during spring break as COVID-19 cases spread

The number of new cases in 24 hours in Duval County dropped from 43 on April 13 to 17 on April 15

The state reported a death toll of 668 on Thursday, a 24 hour increase of 54 deaths since Wednesday

Santa Cruz in California also reopened its beaches to allowing surfing for the first time since the lockdown

Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID

Beaches in Jacksonville, Florida will be among the first in the United States to reopen to the public this evening following President Trump‘s announcement that states can decide themselves when to lift restrictions.

Republican Mayor Lenny Curry said he is letting the public back onto Duval County beaches at 5pm Friday for ‘essential activities only’ because he is ‘encouraged’ by the rate of infections and hospitalizations and said there is evidence they are flattening the curve.

‘This can be the beginning of the pathway back to normal life,’ he said on Thursday. ‘Please respect and follow these limitations. Stay within the guidelines for your safety as well as for the safety of your neighbors.’

With cases still rising in Florida, the beaches re-opening goes against Trump’s recommendations in his three-phase plan that infection rates should have declined for 14 days before re-opening begins.