Spring break and coronavirus: Beaches remain open while schools ramp up cleaning operations

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — While spring break is underway, Volusia County leaders say they are collaborating with other cities and state agencies about how to stop the spread of the virus.

And that could include possibly closing its beaches, as Miami and Fort Lauderdale have already done as that precaution.

“It’s pretty crazy. I didn’t know I’d see something like this in my lifetime, but it’s really crazy and it’s changing a lot,” said spring break vactioner Dan Hurzy.

There are six confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Volusia County, including a woman who is a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in DeLand. The church said she was recently cleared for the virus after her test turned up negative.

Read: Church in Deland temporarily shuts down after member tests positive for coronavirus

But as beaches across the state close, and more restrictions are put into place because of the virus, people worry the beaches in Volusia County could be next.

Janet Lainez, a student on spring break, said it’s necessary to close the beaches “but to a certain extent.”

“People want to enjoy the beach for spring break to have it cut for us, as college students and high school (students), this is the last few moments we have, especially the class of 2020. It’s hard,” Lainez said.

What would normally be a busy beach day has been anything but as of Monday, but it’s unclear how much of that is because of the overcast skies, and how much is because people are staying home due to the threat of the coronavirus.

“In some places, they have the safe-distance thing going on where you (have) to stay 6 feet away from each other, so I’d say the beach is a safer bet than the club for sure,” said Dan Hurzy, who is on spring break.

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Some tourists like Dave Wyss said he’s taking precautions.

“(I’m) just washing my hands a lot, just aware of other people around and not try to touch things I don’t need to touch,” he said. “It’s something to take seriously.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis said during a news conference Monday afternoon that there is a “concern when hundreds of hundreds of kids are gathering,” and the decision to close beaches should be taken on a case-by-case basis. He also advised against large spring break gatherings.

One of the latest precautions the county has decided to take is limiting Tuesday’s County Council meeting to just 50 people.

In Flagler County, schools began the extended spring break with intensive, 24/7 cleaning operation before students return.

A high-powered electrostatic sprayer using EPA-approved disinfectants is being used to kill any virus on the radar, not just COVID-19.

“I think we have 2.3 million square feet that we need to cover in our district, and we’re going to be doing that throughout this spring break,” said Chris Shudy, district director of custodial services.

See more of what Flagler County is doing in the video below:

Video: Flagler Co. crews get to work cleaning schools The school district has a two-week plan to clean every surface in every classroom.

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