California Gov. Gavin Newsom cited disturbing images of huge crowds that gathered at the beaches over the weekend as he hinted at his plans to restrict people's access to both states, as well as local beaches in Orange County. According to Newsom, Orange County has been one of the state's major health concern area and they have done a great job.

He explained that it is imperative to tighten the good job they have been doing down there a little bit. Keeping in line with that, Newsom said there will be a "temporary pause down there." at a press conference on Apr. 30. Beaches located in the southern part of California, including those in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange counties have shown alarming signs in the form of images of people gathering in large numbers and ignoring physical distancing guidelines.

To make sure that the beaches reopen quickly, he said the state is willing to team up with the local officials and even encourage them to come up with some better guidelines. As a governor, Newsom said his job involves ensuring the utmost safety of the people, and when health experts suggest it is not a good idea to allow another weekend as they had, he is left with no choice but to make this adjustment.

He noted that 95 people succumbed to COVID-19 on Wednesday, coupled with a 5.2 percent increase taking the total of the number of confirmed cases to 48,917. Newsom said there's no reason to undo the great progress, and urged the people to help to move the state forward together.

Reports that surfaced before Newsom implemented the order suggest he was planning to close all the beaches in the state, but his plan was strongly criticized by some state officials. Responding to a question about why did he change his mind on closing all state beaches, Newsom explained that they never did, adding that they were having these conversations.

Officials from different parts of California disapproved of a blanket beach ban in California. Responsible for overseeing Humboldt County, Sheriff William Honsal said he doesn't approve of the order, announcing that he will not enforce it via a tweet. Honsal said if an issued order violated their constitutional rights, he will not enforce it.

Newsom said although his office received letters about the beach closures, his decision will be based on what local health officials say is appropriate and what is not. He said people are dying due to decisions that were made without first considering a practical frame of focus on public health.

He even criticized southern California beachgoers who seem to completely ignore or social distancing guidelines or use face coverings, NBC News reported. Newsom said the state is looking forward to working closely with the local officials and even suggest them to create better guidelines to ensure the beaches can reopen as soon as possible.