By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
With Cape May County Freeholder Vice Director Leonard Desiderio on the dais with him Thursday afternoon, May 14, Gov. Phil Murphy announced shore towns will be open – with restrictions – starting the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.
While non-essential stores still won’t be allowed to have customers inside and amusements will remain closed, the governor said the beaches will be open for all activities with certain limitations.
“We are ensuring the Jersey shore can be open to families across our state and region and we can do it in a way that is consistent with protecting the public health of every beachgoer,” Murphy said. “The Jersey shore, after all, is where memories are made. The last thing any of us wanted is a summertime down the shore being a memory.”
In steps coordinated with Delaware, New York and Connecticut, and with direct discussions with leaders “up and down the shore at all levels of government,” including Desiderio representing Cape May County, Murphy said he wants “everyone to have fun, but we want everyone to be safe. To accomplish both, we will be requiring restrictions on how many beach-goers may be allowed on any beach or lakefront. The social distancing we’ve been practicing in our hometowns will be extended to our beaches.”
He said no one can be discriminated against the communities can turn public beaches into private beaches. “Everyone must have ability to enjoy our state’s greatest natural resource,” he said.
For every beach, a community must:
- Establish capacity limits;
- Enforce social distancing measures;
- Prohibit contact sports and organized events; and
- Implement proper and regular sanitation.
The governor said limits on capacity will be left to leaders in each community. He suggested ways include limiting available beach tags for any given day or using technology with a geographic special analysis.
Social distancing with at least six feet will be enforced except for couples, families and household members – the same as in parks. That also is up to local officials.
Each community is different so there is no one-size-fits-all approach, he said.
Some restrictions do fit: organized games and contact sports will be prohibited as will beach recreational summer camps, and special events that draw people to the beach such as concerts, festivals and fireworks, Murphy said.
Shower pavilions, changing areas and restrooms will be open. Restrooms will reopen at parks as well.
On boardwalks, restaurants can continue for take-out only, but amusement parks, arcades and games, other draws must remain closed, the governor said. Other features meant to draw a crowd such as water fountains, playgrounds or visitor centers must remain closed “for the time being. This is not a life sentence here. We could have a dramatically different reality a month from today.
“I promise you we’re going to monitor this, from both sides, by the way,” he said.
Assuming the curves keep getting better and Department of Health is more comfortable, “we’ll be able to take more steps. We will not hold those steps one minute too long or will we jump the gun.”
The governor said the beachfront and lakefront communities will have public campaigns using traditional and online media, “and yes, the ubiquitous planes carrying banners” to ensure all visitors are aware of the restrictions in place and what is expected of them while visiting.
“Although we are not ordering it, we highly recommend that you wear a face covering when social distancing is difficult to maintain,” he said, using the example of waiting in line for a slice of boardwalk pizza.
“I applaud Len (Desiderio) for raising his hand in partnership, for bringing together a broad coalition of Cape May shore towns to work with us. I can’t say enough good things about the level of cooperation to you, Len, and your colleagues in Cape May (County),” and frankly right up the coast,” Murphy said. “You’re here today for a reason. It starts with you and thank you.”
The governor said he has confidence residents and visitors can take in a day at the beach if they follow the guidelines.
Adding that “data determines dates,” a mantra he has followed on when restrictions can be eased as the number of COVID-19 infections and trends improve, Murphy said that is why these steps were being announced Thursday.
He said he is proud to give millions of people the opportunity to have a day at the shore, a day they made possible because of adhering to the restrictions and pandemic guidelines to slow the infection in the state.
“I want to thank the freeholder for traveling all the way from Cape May (County) to be with us and I thank him for his advocacy for our shore communities and his insight, which has been invaluable in crafting a plan that will ensure families will continue to create their shore memories.”
“I can’t tell you how happy we are in Cape May County” and in other shore communities across the state, Desiderio said. He joked as the restrictions have started easing people are “now waving to me with five fingers.
He noted that Ocean City, Sea Isle and Strathmere were having “a dry run” Saturday for capacity management “in which we can learn and go to school.”
He said in the past the idea was bringing as many people to the beaches and communities. “Now we are practicing capacity management,” he said.
He talked about Cape May County’s task force and how they worked together and with the governor’s staff. He said they appreciated the “lines of communication.”
Desiderio, who also is Sea Isle City’s mayor, said opening up small businesses for curb-side shopping has relieved “a burden from these mom and pop shops.” They were bringing in their spring attire when this all started and many were not able to open. “This is a shot in the arm for them.”
He added this isn’t a political issue. “We all need to work together,” he said. “We’ll move forward together. I have great hope for us this summer.”
