Melbourne Beach now has two new (and one continuing) restrictions -
- (new restriction) Street parking is prohibited in residential areas except for 1) those visiting a house (with the resident's permission; visitors must be at the house, not the beach, and must be parked at the house, not down the street), 2) workers (landscapers, builders, etc who must also be parked at the house) and 3) residents (also, at their house). Note that there are no time periods on this restriction. Parking is prohibited (with the exceptions noted earlier) PERIOD;
- (new restriction) Beaches and beach accesses will be closed beginning Fri (March 27, ie today) thru Sunday (March 29) from 11 AM to 4 PM. As always, there is no parking at the store lot (Saver's, Supermarket, etc). They own the lot and, while they don't want to antagonize any potential customers, they can tow and may start if they have nowhere for their customers;
- (continuing restriction) Parking areas at the beach (Ocean Park, end of street parks, etc) are closed to vehicles. In order to access the beach, you must be on foot or bike. No cars or golf carts or GEMs or any other motorized vehicle. Also, group size limits, separation, etc still apply.

On Monday, we will evaluate whether to continue these restrictions, whether additional ones may be required, etc.

The same type of restrictions apply to Indialantic, Satellite Beach and Cocoa Beach. They do not currently apply to the County, Melbourne, IHB or Cape Canaveral. I cannot answer for PAFB.

These actions were not taken lightly. (Obviously, I surf, too.) I have explained previously all the factors that went into this decision. The bottom line is that we are in a serious situation and we don't want it to explode. dingpatch and others have detailed their health issues over the past year or so, health issues that put them in a "special" situation. They are our friends and family and are most at risk and we are trying to help protect them, our parents, and, yes, old farts like me. Please take the situation seriously. Hopefully, we can look back in a few months and say we overreacted. That is only likely if we are vigilant now. See you in the surf early tomorrow.