The Crescent Beach Pier was temporarily closed over the B.C. Day long weekend and into this week due to what City of Surrey called “non-compliance” of COVID-19 protocols.
Signage and temporary orange fencing blocked the entrance to the pier, and remained in place until late morning Wednesday. A few hours later, city officials told Peace Arch News that the structure had been re-opened to the public.
“Due to repeated instances of non-compliance with physical distancing and large gatherings, and in the interest of public safety, Wickson Pier at Crescent Beach was closed over the B.C. Day long weekend,” Rob Costanzo, Surrey’s general manager of corporate services, announced in a emailed statement Wednesday.
“With the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, it is important that everyone should do their part to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 by avoiding crowded places and staying 2 metres apart. The City will continue to monitor the situation and we ask all users to help keep the pier open by following COVID-19 preventative measures and protocols.”
Visitors to the popular South Surrey beach also noted it’s been busy in recent days. Last Friday (July 31), in response to a City of Surrey tweet that said, “Let the good times roll – safely! Stick to small groups this weekend,” one beach-goer responded, saying “Last night the pier at Crescent Beach had 50-60 people packed at the end, jumping into the ocean. Not a lot of social distancing happening there.”
Last night the pier at Crescent Beach had 50-60 people packed at the end, jumping into the ocean. Not a lot of social distancing happening there. Nice to see people having fun, but keep your distance!
— Ev (@EvVan2018) July 31, 2020
In White Rock, the pier was closed in late March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and re-opened in mid-June.
Elsewhere in the Crescent Beach area, both the Christopherson Steps and 1,001 Steps remain closed; they’ve been closed since April due to the pandemic.
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