Georgia

Glynn County bans alcohol during weekend of Georgia/Florida game

GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. — An alcohol ban is now on the books in Glynn County during the weekend of Nov. 6 and 7.

That’s the same weekend as the heavily anticipated Georgia/Florida football game.

Commissioners met in October to discuss the issues and decided the ban is exclusively for East Beach on Saint Simons Island, which has earned the nickname “Frat Beach” during the weekend every year.

“It involved usually over 6,000 students packed as tight as one can get, in an extreme state of inebriation,” Glynn County Commissioner Peter Murphy.

Murphy, who oversees the county’s District 1, told Channel 2′s Kristen Holloway that over the last few years, events on Saint Simons Island have increased in volume and intensity, with about 6,000 to 10,000 college students visiting during the weekend of the Georgia/Florida game.

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“We don’t want to be in a position where we become a so-called ‘super spreaders site’ by encouraging close proximity gathering of a bunch of college age kids,” Murphy said.

Murphy said some asked why commissioners won’t just close the beach. They learned early in the pandemic that’s a decision that has to made by the guidance of the governor.

“Others have pushed back and said, ‘Well, if they come down here and they do have an uptick in cases, they’re going to go back to their colleges and universities, and it won’t be our problem.’ I don’t abide by that way of thinking,” Murphy said.

Meanwhile, Murphy said they still want people to visit that weekend.

“Those that want to come and enjoy the game in Jacksonville or watch it on TV here and use our short-term rentals, and hotels, and use our restaurants in a responsible fashion, we’re all for that,” Murphy said.