Gavin Newsom Admits COVID Beach Closures Were 'Insane'

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing renewed criticism after acknowledging that one of his administration’s most controversial COVID-19 policies was a mistake.

During an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Newsom said California’s decision to close beaches during the pandemic was “insane in hindsight” and also expressed regret that some of the state’s largest school districts remained closed for too long, according to Fox News.

Newsom made the comments while fly-fishing with Tapper in Montana. Asked what he would have done differently during the pandemic, the governor reflected on the uncertainty surrounding the early response and said officials initially focused heavily on issues such as hand sanitizer.

“I mean, the idea that we closed beaches was insane, in hindsight,” Newsom told Tapper. He also acknowledged that Los Angeles schools and other major districts took too long to reopen.

California issued a statewide stay-at-home order in March 2020 as officials attempted to slow the spread of COVID-19. The state also imposed restrictions on businesses, required masks in many settings and closed beaches during portions of the pandemic.

The pandemic response became a major political issue for Newsom. He faced a 2021 recall election driven in part by anger over his handling of COVID-19 restrictions and the resulting economic effects, but voters ultimately rejected the effort to remove him.

Newsom also addressed his attendance at a 2020 dinner at the French Laundry restaurant while California residents were being urged to follow strict restrictions.

During the CNN interview, he called that decision “boneheaded” and “stupid,” saying he had been exhausted at the time.

The governor’s latest remarks come as debate continues over decisions made during the pandemic and how officials should evaluate those choices years later. Tapper said he believed Newsom was speaking sincerely about his regrets, particularly regarding the prolonged school closures.

Newsom has also said there should be a broad examination of what government officials did right and wrong during COVID-19. His comments now place some of California’s most disputed pandemic policies back in the spotlight.

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