New Jersey
Surfers on the Jersey Shore (photo taken in 2008)
Governor Phil Murphy announced that New Jersey beaches, for the most part, will be open by Memorial Day weekend. So far, Sea Girt has decided to close its boardwalk for the weekend, and Cape May County beaches will be overseeing high volume areas like beaches to ensure social distancing. Officials across the state are required to implement proper sanitation procedures, prohibit organized events, and implement limitations on capacity. Island Beach State Park has reduced parking capacity to 50 percent, and beginning mid-June lifeguards will be on duty and swimming will be permitted. For more specific restrictions, see this nj.com article.
In Atlantic County, Atlantic City beaches and boardwalk will remain open, and families are permitted to congregate in groups of up to 10 people at Brigantine. Swimming is limited to only certain areas at Ventnor and Margate City, and swimming and organized sports where social distancing cannot be practiced are prohibited at Longport.
In Cape May County, Ocean City will be open, but Beach Patrol will guard a number of beaches to ensure social distancing. Beach tags will only be required at Sea Isle City and Stone Harbor. In the City of Cape May, swimming is still prohibited, but swimming will be allowed at all other public beaches in the county starting Saturday.
In Monmouth County, Asbury Park will be open for swimming and socially distanced activities, but beach passes must be worn at all times and the boardwalk will operate on one-way travel in each direction. Swimming at Sandy Hook will be “at your own risk” with 50% capacity, while Sea Girt and Spring Lake will keep their boardwalks closed. Badges will be required at Sea Bright, Ocean Grove, Long Branch, Manasquan, Bradley Beach, and Avon-by-the-Sea.
In Ocean County, swimming will only be allowed at Point Pleasant Beach only when badge checkers and lifeguards are present. Social distancing guidelines will be upheld at every beach in the county, and badges are required at Bay Head, Brick, Seaside Heights, and Seaside Park. Boardwalks will be open at Lavallette and Toms River this weekend.
On Long Beach Island, badges will not required until June at every beach, and social distancing is required at all beaches. Congregating and beach buggies are prohibited at Harvey Cedars.