A French town has taken a novel approach to coaxing sunbathers back onto the beach amid coronavirus concerns by roping off sections of the sand to help visitors keep to social distancing rules.
The scheme in La Grande Motte, near Montpellier in the Herault region of southern France, allows people to stay on the beach for three and a half hours.
People wanting to take advantage of the 66 spots must book in advance. All of the areas were reportedly booked within two days.
People are also allowed to swim, but a one-way system is in place for getting in and out to help visitors keep to social distancing rules.
Visitors to the booking website are told: "This arrangement, which we wanted to make it as simple and natural as possible, is an experience.
"We do not pretend to find perfect answers for all beach lovers, but more modestly to test a model of organisation that allows you to use your towel for sunbathing with maximum sanitary protection.
"So let's play the game together! You have chosen your morning or afternoon.
"You go to the beach reception point with your reservation. You use your square reserved at your own pace, in your time slot.
"You settle in your reserved space, you have brought your own things.You respect the common rules that allow you to guarantee both distance and tranquility.
"Test our beach, enjoy your time, respect the rules we offer and share your observations with us ..."
Visitor Martin Gauthe told the Washington Post: "That makes for a strange feeling of an extraordinary experience...
"Plus it's nice we're not on top of each other and, most importantly, we can see the horizon."
France has recently begun lifting its lockdown after around two months. Beaches were reopened to the public but sunbathing was mostly not allowed amid social distancing concerns.
