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Fort Myers Beach reopens to the public

Fort Myers Beach Reopens
Posted at 11:58 PM, May 02, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-02 23:58:25-04

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — As of Saturday, May 2, Fort Myers Beach is back open to everyone.

Hundreds of people swarmed to the shores.

One person told Fox 4 she believes beaches should have reopened weeks ago.

“I’m a proponent for herd immunity if we don’t get out and we don’t get exposed there is no way that we are going to be able to fight this, ” sais Katie Deleuce.

Some people say they are receiving push back for their decision to go on with life as normal.

“I feel like there is a lot of hostility with people that feel like everybody should be staying home, and that’s fine stay home…to each its own, but when I can get back out there I’m going to get back out there” said Felicia Baas.

Douglas Sharf says fresh air is good for the soul and couldn’t be happier to be back on the beach.

“The way things are going all around the country...it’s like people kind of anything they can get to uplift their spirits, ” said Douglas Scharf.

The Fort Myers Beach Town Council voted unanimously to reopen beaches after weeks of apprehension.

“I feel more comfortable now because the other beaches have opened up as well, so its not just Fort Myers Beach and we’re getting bombarded by everyone, its spread out, ” said Mayor Ray Murphy.

Mayor Murphy encourages everyone to still abide by CDC guidelines.

“Play by the rules, come out have fun, but just keep your distance for now, ” said Mayor Ray Murphy.

K.C. Grosse worries the public may start to get too comfortable, forgetting we are all still in a pandemic.

“This isn’t over, that’s our big fear is we do this much and people see everybody out and they think oh it’s over, its not over there are just certain places we can be and we still need to have precautions, ” said K.C. Grosse

The town council voted to reopen restaurants and retail stores at 25% capacity, matching Governor Ron DeSantis’ guidelines for Phase 1 of reopening the state starting Monday.