As the weather heats up, photos show people packing beaches around the world
As the summer months approach, crowds around the world are flocking to beaches amidst the pandemic.
From Miami to Barcelona, crowds on some beaches are disregarding COVID guidelines to soak up the sun.
As a result of massive gatherings, some beaches have once again closed or are being policed.
In many parts of the world, the summer months are rapidly approaching, and things are heating up on the beaches in more ways than one.
The pandemic is not over, and countries and cities are struggling to balance reopening plans with rising coronavirus cases and new virus variants.
For example, most of Europe went back into lockdown as the region experiences a third wave of coronavirus cases.
Meanwhile, places like Britain and Hong Kong are beginning to reopen with beaches and outdoor restaurants enticing visitors.
Places like the sandy shores of Juhu Beach in Mumbai, India, saw surging crowds that led authorities to close the beaches.
While the beaches of Juhu were packed with people in early April, nearby towns were experiencing a rise of coronavirus cases, according to the Times of India.
The increase in cases and crowds led leaders to close the city's beaches for the rest of April, per The Free Press Journal.
Crowds arrived as early as March in some destinations like South Florida, where college students flocked to the shores for spring break.
College students descended on popular destinations like Florida and Mexico in late February and March for spring break, as Insider previously reported.
In response to the swarm of people, cities like Miami Beach entered a state of emergency, and people were escorted off the beaches at night after curfew.
With massive groups partying at beaches and clubs, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber told ABC News that the city feels at times "out of control."
As a result of the spring break crowds, the city entered a state of emergency through April 11, according to The Washington Post.
Across the globe in Spain, some beachgoers ignored health guidelines and joined maskless groups at Barceloneta Beach, Barcelona.
Government officials urged people in Catalonia, Spain, to avoid popular beaches.
But many on the shores of Barceloneta Beach in Barcelona defied the city's current six-person gathering limit and mask regulations, per Reuters.
Police across the Catalonia region raided parties, dispersed crowds, and fined some people $700 for breaking the rules.
Police took to the shores to handle the mass influx of crowds, according to Reuters.
With gatherings of more than six people banned, police fined people up to $700, the police told Reuters.
In California, colorful umbrellas packed the sandy shores of Huntington Beach in late March.
People in California searched for breeze and water as temperatures reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit inland.
The result was packed beaches along Huntington Beach, southeast of Los Angeles.
At Santa Monica Beach in California, people were excited to venture outdoors to enjoy the city's lowered COVID guidelines.
Locals and out-of-state visitors embarked on adventures to Santa Monica's pier in California.
While one visitor shared sentiments with the Los Angeles Times that the pandemic feels "over," it's still far from the truth.
The pandemic is still raging on and both vaccinated and unvaccinated people need to continue to wear a mask, social distance, and follow their location's guidelines.
Warm temperatures also enticed hoards of people to head to Brighton Beach, England.
On Monday, April 12, England began its reopening plan with outdoor food and drinking being served, nonessential retailers open, and small wedding ceremonies being hosted, according to The Guardian.
Prior to the reopening, people were still crowding popular beaches like Brighton Beach as the country experienced its hottest March day since 1968, according to the Daily Mail.
Outdoor activities may be safer - but only when people socially distance, wear masks, and remain in their COVID bubbles.
Outdoor activities, like going to the beach or park, have been heralded as a safe activity during the coronavirus.
As Insider's Andreea Michelson previously reported, being outdoors doesn't eliminate the risk of contracting and spreading the virus. People must still social distance and wear a mask.
Crowded beaches aren't COVID-free. Since social distancing is unlikely at popular beaches and water activities make mask-wearing a challenge, it's a likely place for the virus to spread.
So while beachgoers in places like Shek O Beach in Hong Kong are celebrating beach reopenings, it's imperative COVID guidelines are followed.
With COVID numbers in single digits, Hong Kong reopened beaches and pools on April 1, according to Reuters.
Beaches like Shek O, which had been deserted for months, quickly flooded with visitors eager to take advantage of the sunshine.
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