Clearwater Beach on March 17, 2020.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Pinellas County commissioners have voted to close all public beaches and parking starting at 11:59 p.m. Friday night in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Beaches will be closed through April 6, 2020.
On Wednesday, Clearwater had voted to delay their beach closure until Monday, but the county's decision overrides the city.
Related: Manatee, Sarasota counties stagger beach closings, starting Friday
Commissioners said they would also ask the state to close Honeymoon Island. The county-wide beach shutdown does not apply to private beaches.
At Thursday afternoon's commission meeting, Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri had voiced his objection to closing the beaches, saying it would be difficult to enforce.
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Officials decide to close Pinellas beaches
Dan Matics reports
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