Himes, Marpe Tour Westport's Compo Beach For Coronavirus Update

WESTPORT, CT — United States Rep. Jim Himes and Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe toured Compo Beach Monday for an information session on the town's efforts in fighting the coronavirus (COVID-19). They were joined by state Sens. Will Haskell and Tony Hwang, and Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Fava.

The brief walking tour of the beach allowed Marpe and Fava to update the legislators of Westport's efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Westport has taken a measured approach to combating the virus by closely adhering to Gov. Ned Lamont's phased reopening plan in the weeks following "Party Zero," when Westport briefly was the state's epicenter for the virus.

Since then, Westport has limited parking and activities at its beaches, Longshore Club Park and other recreational facilities, but has slowly relaxed restrictions over the past couple of weeks.

As of Monday, Westport had 301 confirmed coronavirus cases, and 23 residents had died of complications from COVID-19, according to state and local health officials.

"Westport seems to be acting really responsibly," Haskell told Patch. "Certainly here at the beach, I'm glad to see that people are still enjoying themselves despite the restrictions, such as the closure of temporary closure of the concession stand. The goal is to create safe spaces for families."