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A Satellite Beach police officer patrols the sand March 28 near Pelican Beach Park after city officials closed the beach between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. because of the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo: Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY)

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Satellite Beach and Cocoa Beach officials have reopened beaches for sunbathing, sitting in chairs and all other activities within city limits during the coronavirus pandemic but groups must be five people or fewer.

Since April 2,both cities joineda group of Brevard County beachside communities in limitingbeach activities to walking, jogging, biking, fishing, surfing and swimming during Florida's 30-day"safer at home" order.

"The City would like to thank our community for continuing to abide by the social distancing measures we have put in place at our beaches to safeguard our residents during this pandemic response," Satellite Beach City Manager Courtney Barker wrote in a Tuesday afternoon Facebook post.

"Since these measures have been put in place, the beaches have been areas of strong compliance, while still giving our residents a place to exercise and relax," Barker wrote.

"As such, the City is now allowing all beach activities to take place, including sunbathing and sitting on the beach. However, we will be limiting activities on the beach to groups of fiveor less, and we will continue to limit any congregating on the boardwalks," she wrote.

"Our beach public parking remains closed as well," she wrote.

Cocoa Beach's executive order specifies that beachgoers must practice social distancing of at least 6 feet in all directions. Beach parking, beach access parking and the downtown parking garage remain closed.

Cocoa Beach's ban on beach alcohol remains in effect. What's more, thecity's public beach parking closure includescommercial lots and motorists whoparkillegally face $500tickets, saidMelissa Byron, director of economic development.

The Indian Harbour Beach City Council will discuss the topic during a Thursday afternoon workshop, City Manager Mark Ryan said.

Indialantic Mayor Dave Berkman andMelbourne Beach Town Manager Elizabeth Mascaro said their neighboring communities will continue limitingbeach activities to walking, jogging, biking, fishing, surfing and swimming.

Berkman and Mascaro said their respective towns will review the topicnext week.

During the last weekend of March,Satellite Beach,Cocoa Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Indialanticand Melbourne Beach announced temporary daytime beach closures, fearing a crush of visitors from Orlando and Central Florida.

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Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY.Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1.To subscribe: https://cm.floridatoday.com/specialoffer/

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COVID-19: Satellite Beach, Cocoa Beach reopen beaches to sunbathers, groups of 5 or less - Florida Today