Newsom, a Democrat, said he was only reinforcing his vow to make sure California doesn’t backslide on its progress against the virus by allowing crowds to gather on beaches as they did during the weekend in Orange County.

“We have been consistent, we have been clear, we have been transparent,” Newsom said of his closure decision.

Still, his administration sowed confusion with its handling of the issue.

On Wednesday, administration officials spread the word to police and other local officials that the governor planned to order all beaches closed starting Friday. That evening the state police chiefs association sent a bulletin to its members alerting them so they would have time to plan for it.