There is no standard as to whether the start / finish line is open or closed. The default is open.
If the race committee wants to close it, then they must do so in the sailing instructions. The wording can be very tricky - a sample wording is not included in the rule book's Appendix L (Sailing Instruction Guide). You'd have to create an obstruction, define it, define when it applies, define a penalty for violating it, and state if there's a way to exonerate yourself (turns, 20%, unwinding). I'd wager that 99% of race committees make some sort of error in doing all that - which would make it invalid. It's a redress hearing waiting to happen.
The use of a blue flag to denote the state of the line (open / closed) is common, but fraught with problems. In the RRS Race Signals, the blue flag merely means, "This race committee boat is in position at the finish line." What happens if the RC decides to raise the flag when some of the fleet has already sailed through the line yet others have not? How would you feel if you were headed downwind towards the line (not to finish) and suddenly the blue flag appears and you have to make a sudden, drastic course change to avoid the line?
IMHO, as a US Sailing certified National Race Officer and Judge, closing the line is just lazy race management - it's for the convenience of the race committee and not in the interests of the competitors - which means the RC's priorities are reversed.
As for Zach's comment regarding the gate - unless you are heading to the gate to round it, it's as if it were not there. You can even touch the marks - as long as it doesn't bound the beginning or end of the leg you're on.
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