People across the country are slowly trickling out of quarantine and heading to local parks, beaches, and the few up-and-running businesses as states begin to reopen.
So far 31 states in the US have lifted some coronavirus lockdown restrictions with most governors restarting the economy in phases, staring with allowing retailers and recreational parks to open first.
In California thousands packed into outdoor farmers markets, in Florida jetskiiers were seen hitting the waves with a Trump 2020 flag, in Seattle crowds practiced social distancing while shopping and in Virginia locals returned to their golf courses as their states return to normal life.
America reopens: At least 31 states have started to reopen up and allow businesses to open their doors. Florida eased restrictions over the Marinas on Sunday as revelers hit the water such as this duo waving a Trump 2020 flag on their jet ski in Palm Beach
Washington: In Seattle customers were seen Sunday practicing social distancing and wearing face masks in a line that stretched around the block as they waited to enter the West Seattle Farmers Market, which opened Sunday for the first time in nearly two months due to the coronavirus outbreak
Virginia: In New Market locals headed out to Shenvalee Golf Resort on Sunday and practiced social distancing by using carts that were retroffited with plastic curtains running down the middle to separate golfers and help prevent the spread of COVID-19
California: In Studio City a Farmer’s Market was inundated with thousands of eager shoppers who ignored social distancing orders as they enjoyed the spring time sunshine
In Florida packed startling photographs of packed beaches have emerged over the past month as Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a shelter-in-place order on April 2, but later allowed beaches to reopen that same month.
This weekend big crowds were seen at Miami-Dade County marinas and parks, which opened Wednesday after weeks of being closed due to the virus.
Most of Florida will reopen on Monday, starting with restaurants that will allow services at 25 percent capacity and retail stores, museums and libraries with restrictions.
However, those orders won’t apply to Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, where a majority of coronavirus cases in the state lie. In total Florida has seen over 36,000 infections of COVID-19 and over 1,000 fatalities.
Gov. De Santis touted the success of his state’s handling of the virus last week saying: ‘There’s been a lot that’s been done to try to promote fear, to promote worst-case scenarios, to drive hysteria. People should know that worst-case scenario thinking (in Florida) — that has not proven to be true.’
‘The only thing we have to fear is letting fear overwhelm our sense of purpose and determination,’ he added as an explanation for his reopenings.
Florida: This weekend big crowds were seen at Miami-Dade County marinas and parks, which opened Wednesday after weeks of being closed due to the virus. People pictured enjoying their boats, some waving USA and Trump flags on Sunday off of Palm Beach
These two boats were spotted in the water off of Palm Beach on Sunday as parks and marinas were allowed to open earlier this week
Most of Florida will reopen on Monday, starting with restaurants that will allow services at 25 percent capacity and retail stores, museums and libraries with restrictions. However, those orders won’t apply to Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, where a majority of coronavirus cases in the state lie
Boaters seen enjoying a Sunnday day on the first Saturday since the reopening of marinas in Miami-Dade following coronavirus lockdowns
Locals came out in droves to enjoy the water on the first weekend they were allowed to hit the marinas since they reopened this week
Even though California has not officially reopened tons of people were seen at the Farmer’s Market in Studio City on Sunday. Gov. Gavin Newsom has not said when the state would open but said it would take weeks
Locals in Los Angeles headed out to their parks to sunbathe after Gov. Gavin Newsom doubled down and closed public beaches after crowds gathered there last week
People pictured walking on sand in front of the Golden Gate Bridge at the Crissy Field East Beach in San Francisco on Sunday. Beaches were mostly empty over the warm weekend as Californians heeded stay-at-home orders in anticipation that Gov. Gavin Newsom might ease some restrictions this week
Huntington Beach police officer asks two men to leave as the beach is closed amid the coronavirus pandemic in Huntington Beach, California on Saturday
California has the fifth-biggest COVID-19 breakout in the country with over 54,000 cases of the virus. Protesters demanding to open California pictured at Huntington Beach on Saturday
In California on Sunday, hundreds of people were seen out and about at an outdoor food market in Studio City, Los Angeles.
California has been under shelter-in-place orders since March 19 restricting locals to stay at home except for essential trips without an official end date in sight.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said some businesses could open ‘in weeks, not months.’
However, protests have broken out across the state as locals force their way onto beaches to enjoy warm weather.
In LA County beaches are closed through May 15 but Ventura and San Diego counties have been gradually opening their beaches. Orange County fully opened their beaches, drawing massive crowds, prompting Gov. Newsom to close the area’s local and state beaches.
California has the fifth-biggest COVID-19 breakout in the country with over 54,000 cases of the virus and over 2,000 deaths.
Thousands of New Yorkers flocked to city parks this weekend as warmer weather tempted them out of quarantine and forced the city to dispatch 1,000 officers to streets to enforce social distancing guidelines and a ban on large public congregations (Pictured: Central Park’s Sheep Meadow on Saturday afternoon)
Under the instructions of Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYPD officers set out on foot, bicycles and in cars to break up crowds and remind those enjoying the weather of public health restrictions requiring they keep 6 feet away from others
Governor Andrew Cuomo said he appreciated residents were bored but that they should not take ‘false comfort’ from falling COVID-19 cases or from seeing other states reopen
Washington state’s reopening guidelines allows a few vendors at farmers markets to reopen as long as there is a limited number of customers moving in a single direction inside with hand washing and sanitizing stations available
Apple vendor Dani Clauson waves to a customer after a purchase at her stand in the West Seattle Farmers Market during its first opening in nearly two months because of the coronavirus outbreak on Sunday
Farmer Samantha Alvarez rings up a purchase for a customer at the West Seattle Farmers Market during its first opening in nearly two months on Sunday
Sarah Schu places a sign advising customers of the direction of travel at the West Seattle Farmers Market on Sunday reminding people to practicing social distancing
Gotta golf! A golfer pictured wearing a mask and protective gloves in his retrofitted cart as he heads out on Sunday at the Shenvalee Golf Resort in New Market, Virginia
Practicing social distancing: The Shenvalee Golf Resort retrofitted all their carts to maintain social distancing measures
In Seattle customers were seen Sunday practicing social distancing and wearing face masks in a line that stretched around the block as they waited to enter the West Seattle Farmers Market, which opened Sunday for the first time in nearly two months due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Washington state, which saw the first outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, has stay-at-home orders through May 31 but phrase one of reopenings starts on Tuesday May 5 where outdoor recreation is open and essential businesses – such as construction, landscaping, and curb-side pick-up retail can open.
The reopening guidelines allows a few vendors at farmers markets to reopen as long as there is a limited number of customers moving in a single direction inside with hand washing and sanitizing stations available.
Texas: Locals in Galveston headed to the beach over the weekend after the state’s beaches were allowed to be opened on May 1. Liza Pankey and Christopher Pankey share a laugh after getting married at Galveston Beach on Saturday above
Oregon: Armed men carrying assault rifles join protesters at the Re-Open Oregon Rally on May 2 demanding for the state to reopen
Meanwhile in New York, thousands flocked to city parks this weekend to enjoy the warm weather that tempted them out of quarantine and forced the city to dispatch 1,000 officers to streets to enforce social distancing guidelines and a ban on large public congregations.
Two of the city’s largest public gardens, Central Park and Prospect Park, were filled with sunbathers basking in the 70 degree sunshine across the weekend, many of them in groups.
Mayor de Blasio said in parks alone yesterday, officers were forced to issue 43 summonses to those ignoring social distancing protocol. New Yorkers can be fined up to $1000 for violating the orders.
An additional eight summonses were issued to lockdown rebels outside of the parks, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said, noting the ‘majority’ of the 51 issued in total were for a failure to maintain a social distance.
Three arrests were made citywide, Shea said, though the circumstances of each was not disclosed. The NYPD has made 60 arrests and issued 343 summonses related to social distancing since shelter-in-place instructions were implemented on March 16.