As thousands of beachgoers -- restless from the isolation and deprivation of being locked down because of the coronavirus -- descend on the Georgia coast this weekend, one restaurant in Tybee Island has found a unique way to maintain social distancing requirements.
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They called in the linebackers.
North Beach Bar and Grill has hired players and coaches from the football team of nearby Savannah State University as security, according to WJCL-TV.
"This is a first; I mean, I've done other security stuff but didn't really expect being out here by the beach, and you can't beat that," said Nate Baker, a coach at Savannah State.
Georgia has had nearly 43,000 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, according to data from the state Department of Public Health. At least 1,824 people have died.
State officials last week warned that a heavy law enforcement presence would be on scene at beaches and state parks to ensure that restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of the virus are being followed.
“As motorists and visitors make their way around the state and to the coast to enjoy places like St. Simons, Jekyll Island and Tybee Island, they should expect to see troopers from the Georgia State Patrol ... out in full force,” Georgia Department of Public Safety Commissioner Col. Gary Vowell said during a news conference Thursday at the state Capitol.
“We’re all in this fight together. This Memorial Day, we want everyone to have a good, safe weekend in accordance with public health guidance,” Gov. Brian Kemp said then.
The U.S. will likely top 100,000 coronavirus deaths in the coming days, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
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