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Yarmouth bans beach access amid coronavirus pandemic

A sign at the entrance to Seagull Beach stated that the beach is closed until further notice on Thursday.Barry Chin/Globe Staff/The Boston Globe

Yarmouth has closed its beaches amid the coronavirus pandemic, frustrating some residents who crave healthy distractions from the barrage of alarming news about the crisis and the added time spent cooped up at home.

The beach access ban took effect Monday, according to a notice posted to the town’s website. The notice said “all recreation activities are closed" at sites including beaches, golf courses, pickle ball courts, tennis and basketball courts, and parks and playgrounds.

Reached by email Thursday, Town Administrator Dan Knapik said the beach ban remained in effect and “will be further discussed at a joint meeting of the board of Selectmen and board of health next week.”

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The ban has vexed some people living in and around Yarmouth, currently the only Cape municipality to issue such a closure, the Cape Cod Times reported Wednesday.

“You really need to rethink closing town beaches,” one man wrote on the Town of Yarmouth Facebook page.

His words were echoed by a woman who wrote, “Way off base. Beaches, parks ... will not increase exposure. I understand playgrounds but not open space.” Said another woman, “I was walking a beach in my town (West Barnstable) and didn’t come closer than 50 yards to another human being. So please re-think this decision.”

Knapik had explained the closure of “town buildings, parks, golf courses and recreational areas” in an automated call to residents Tuesday. Text of the call was posted to the town’s Facebook page.

“As a community, as a country, we have never been through a similar situation and there is much uncertainty as to what the future will hold,” Knapik said on the call. “We take these measures out of an abundance of caution for your safety and the safety of our employees. Remember, washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water and practicing Social Distancing is vital to slowing down the spread of the virus and saving lives. You must do your part by staying home.”

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No other Cape cities or towns appear to have issued bans on beach access, and the Cape Cod National Seashore beaches and trails remain open.

Brian Carlstrom, superintendent of the National Seashore, which runs from Eastham to Provincetown, said public facilities such as visitor centers are closed for the safety of patrons and staff. However, he said, beaches and trails remain “open for public access at this time,” and the public is urged to “responsibly practice social distancing.”

Statewide, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation last week announced the “temporary closure” of certain facilities managed by the agency but said that “state parks and comfort stations across the Commonwealth remain open and available for the public to utilize.”

The DCR cautioned the public to “avoid gathering in large groups, maintain social distancing, and practice healthy personal hygiene to stop the spread of the virus.​”

The shuttered DCR sites include several campgrounds and visitor centers in Lanesborough, Turner Falls, Concord, Worcester, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Rockport, Amherst, Easton, Boston, Saugus, Stoneham, Newburyport, Hingham, Uxbridge, Sutton, Princeton, Gardner, North Adams, Belchertown, Falmouth, Monterey, Goshen, Charlemont, Florida, and Sagamore Beach.



Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com.