New Jersey’s beaches will be re-opened in time for Memorial Day — albeit with capacity limitations and social distancing remaining in place, Garden State Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday.
“The Jersey Shore will be open in time for Memorial Day weekend, with social distancing guidelines in place,” Murphy said in twitter. “The Shore is central to our Jersey identity and we want to ensure that families can safely enjoy it this summer.”
Every beach must limit the number of visitors allowed there while maintaining six-feet social distancing between beachgoers, Murphy said. The restrictions will be enforced except for family groups, household caretakers or couples.
Murphy said the decision comes as the state’s coronavirus hospitalization and death rates continue to decline.
“We want everyone to have fun but we need everyone to be safe,” Murphy said Thursday, “We are living through unprecedented times but we have confidence that residents and out-of-state visitors alike can take in a day at the beach safely so long as the safety measures we are announcing today… are followed.”
Face coverings will not be required while sunning in the sand but must be worn “while waiting in line for a slice of boardwalk pizza,” Murphy said.
Restrooms, changing rooms and shower pavilions will be opened, but visitors centers will not — while boardwalk food vendors will only be open for takeout service.
And fireworks, concerts and festivals will not be allowed in an effort to prevent large gatherings, Murphy said.
This Friday, Point Pleasant Beach and Seaside Heights will both start allowing people back onto the sand.
Point Pleasant will cap visitors at 500 people, while Seaside Heights — famed as the former home of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” — will only allow walking, jogging, surf fishing and surfing, but no swimming, sitting or standing.
