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ENCINITAS, Calif. (CNS) – Protesters gathered at Swami’s Beach Sunday morning to rally against beach and trail closures.

The protest, promoted by Free Encinitas, a public Facebook group, began at 10 a.m. in front of Swamis Seaside Park and headed south until about noon, when the protest disbanded, according to San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials.

On April 15, the City of Encinitas shut down both Coastal Rail Trail and South Hwy 101 from Swami’s Beach to Cardiff Reef parking lot.

In a statement, the city said the closures are necessary to ensure compliance with the order for social distancing.

Deputies kept watch to make sure marchers were practicing safe distancing measures, and no citations were issued, officials said.

On Sunday, the number of COVID-19 cases in San Diego County grew by 55 to 2,268 but no new deaths were reported, keeping the death toll at 71 people, county health officials said.