The Galveston City Council voted Thursday on a partial opening of public beaches. The vote was 4-3.
Beginning Monday, April 27, the public beaches will be open in the morning to pedestrians for exercise only. The public beaches will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily. Vehicular traffic will not be allowed.
Access to the beach will be closed during all other hours, and violation of this is a Class C misdemeanor and will carry a $500 fine.
Beach access is limited to exercise only and other non-stationary activities. People will be allowed to surf, swim, wade fish, and access the rock groins during these hours only. However, setting up chairs, tents, or beach picnics is not allowed.
The City of Galveston’s top priority is to the health and safety of our residents and visitors. For this reason, we are requiring visitors to the beach maintain social distancing and keep at least 6 feet distance from others.
The City of Galveston and other neighboring cities in this region also remain under stay-at-home orders that prohibit nonessential travel.
The City of Galveston will continue to hold daily calls with the Galveston County Health District and the University of Texas Medical Branch and assess the results of ongoing local testing.
The Galveston City Council continues to hold virtual meetings. City Council meetings can be viewed at galvestontx.gov/GTV, local Channel 16, and on the City’s Facebook page @CityofGalveston.