How beach life could carry on safely in Italy during the coronavirus pandemic - thanks to 15ft-high plexiglass booths

Designs for plexiglass booths aimed at safeguarding beachgoers during the coronavirus pandemic have emerged. 

The firm behind the concepts, Italy-based Nuova Neon Group 2, has released preliminary sketches showing what the box-like structures would look like when installed.

The designs show that the booths would measure 4.5 metres by 4.5 metres (14.7ft by 14.7ft) to ensure people are at a safe distance, with the transparent walls standing two metres high (6.5ft).  

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Designs for plexiglass booths aimed at safeguarding beachgoers during the coronavirus pandemic have emerged

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The firm behind the concepts, Italy-based Nuova Neon Group 2, has released preliminary sketches showing what the box-like structures would look like when installed 

The booths would be big enough to house two sun loungers and an umbrella. 

Explaining the inspiration behind the booth design Claudio Ferrari, the CEO of Nuova Neon Group 2, told La Repubblica: 'A week ago we tried to imagine the return to the beach. 

'The idea was born with the dual purpose of protecting but also of restarting the activities.'

Ferrari added that his company had been working on creating safety screens for banks and pharmacies, so the designers thought about extending their work to 'commercial activities'. 

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The designs show that the booths would measure 4.5 metres by 4.5 metres (14.7ft by 14.7ft) to ensure people are at a safe distance, with the transparent walls standing two metres high (6.5ft) 

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'The idea was born with the dual purpose of protecting but also of restarting the activities,' said Claudio Ferrari, the CEO of Nuova Neon Group 2

The firm's Facebook page shows how it has also made plexiglass booths for restaurants.

Ferrari says that he has already started receiving requests from people managing beach areas and restauranteurs for his protective dividers.        

Beaches all over the globe have been closed due to the coronavirus.

Earlier this month, residents of Sydney's northern beaches slammed police and the local council for closing Manly Beach after thousands flocked to the sand, despite strict social distancing policies. 

Police were forced to close a handful of beaches north of the Harbour Bridge after beachgoers repeatedly ignored orders to move along after exercising.

La Repubblica reports that the beach trade unions in Italy are now trying to come up with ways to ensure people can safely return to the coast as warm weather arrives.

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