It's official...Palm Beach County's public, municipal and private beaches will all be closed for the July 4th weekend.
According to an emergency order issued on Monday, all beaches and beach parks will be closed from 12:01 a.m. Friday morning until 11:59 p.m. Sunday night.
County Mayor Dave Kerner says he felt there was no choice after Miami-Dade and Broward counties did the same.
"We had genuine concerns that during the course of the 4th of July weekend we would get a massive influx from Broward and Miami-Dade.
But one local official disagrees.
"Probably more people...I think you're going to get more spread because people aren't going to shut down house parties. The government can't do that. If people are going to socialize, I'd rather see them do that outside, where there's fresh air."
Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Jeremy Rodgers called it "irony" that on the day when we're supposed to celebrate our independence, we have the government moving back what our freedoms are.
The order is allowing restaurants and retail establishments within beach parks to remain open.
Click Here for more.
Photo: Getty Images