Orange County officials won’t enforce business closure rules during the novel coronavirus pandemic as a wave of protests to reopen the economy have been mounting and Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to allow some businesses starting Friday. 

“We are not going to enforce either beach closures or those business closures if they don’t run afoul of the county’s guidelines. And if the governor would like to bring the CHP out or call out the National Guard, the Governor can do what he wants to do,” Supervisor Don Wagner said at a Monday news conference. 

“It’s time for them to live their lives,” Wagner said. 

Last week, Newsom singled out OC and only ordered beaches be closed in the county, as opposed to a statewide closure. 

But at a Monday news conference, he praised Laguna Beach and San Clemente for their beach use policies, which are based on “active use.” 

That means there’s no sunbathing, laying out a beach towel or hanging out next to a cooler at the beach. 

Essentially, beaches can only be used for exercise, including swimming, surfing, jogging and other activities involving movement.  

Although Newsom announced reopening plans are coming Friday, he avoided Orange County’s refusal to enforce his orders during his daily press conference on Monday. 

“As early as the end of this week, you will have the capacity as a retailer … to begin to reopen for pick up. Clothing, book stores, toys, sporting good stores, florists,” Newsom said. 

He did say some unnamed businesses and counties have pushed back and began reopening too early.

“I know that there’s some businesses that are not waiting for these announcements,” Newsom said, adding they have “punitive” measures like pulling liquor licenses.