Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and for many, that means heading to the beach.
Usually.
This year is a lot different with the coronavirus. Many people are under stay-at-home orders. But some beaches up and down the East Coast are still opening up to tourists for the holiday weekend.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday questioned the wisdom of beach-going, even as governors in other states reopen their beaches despite worries that the coronavirus outbreak could surge again, according to The Associated Press.
“I wouldn’t go to the beach,” Wolf said at a video news conference in response to a question about whether he was concerned that beach-going would create a rise in coronavirus cases in the Philadelphia region. “There are people there who aren’t wearing masks and you’re putting yourself at risk. I wouldn’t do that, I haven’t done that, and I’m not sure why the governors of Maryland and New Jersey have opened their beaches, but they have.”
All Pennsylvania state park swimming beaches and pools will remain closed through at least June 5.
But as much of Pennsylvania moves from the red phase of coronavirus restrictions – which has people under stay-at-home orders – to the less restrictive yellow phase, Memorial Day weekend could see more Pennsylvanians on the road than there have been in the past two months. Though AAA expects a record-low number of holiday travelers, many could be hitting the road with cars packed full of suntan lotion, beach blankets and giant umbrellas.
Here’s a look at some of the East Coast states and what you can expect for Memorial Day weekend.
New Jersey:
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy will let individual shore towns decide whether to reopen beaches, the AP reports.
His guidance directed them to set occupancy limits, require 6 feet of space between beachgoers, except for family members and couples, and prohibits groups of 10 or more from congregating on the beach.
But New Jersey residents were already flocking to many beaches on Saturday, NJ.com is reporting.
Some local officials are prohibiting group activities and sports at beaches to curb the spread of the coronavirus, but some are enforcing stronger regulations than others to ensure that beachgoers continue to practice social distancing.
Asbury Park has reopened its beaches for sunbathing and swimming, for example, but has removed benches and established one-way travel in each direction on the boardwalk to eliminate group congregating.
In Ocean City in Cape May County, large crowds were seen walking on the boardwalk Saturday, and many were enjoying the sunshine on blankets and beach chairs on the sand, reports indicate.
Some people wore face masks to help protect themselves and others from the coronavirus, but social distancing appeared to be difficult to maintain at times.
Maryland:
In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan reopened state beaches for walking and exercise, but cautioned that it is critical to continue to follow public health guidance, practice social distancing and stay safe, the AP reports.
He also let shore towns decide whether to reopen beaches and the resort town of Ocean City, Maryland, reopened to the general public with social distancing and gathering limitations in place and lifeguards on duty for swimming.
According to The Baltimore Sun, Ocean City officials lifted the restrictions on its beach and boardwalk last week, ahead of Hogan replacing the statewide “stay-at-home” order with a “Safer at Home” advisory, which encourages people to remain home, when they can, but will not enforce potential violations. Retailers, salons and places of worship were also permitted to reopen, but at 50 percent capacity, according to reports.
Some told the Baltimore Sun they wished their fellow beachgoers would do a better job of following advisories, wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
New York:
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced beaches would be permitted to open in time for Memorial Day weekend, the AP reports.
But according to ABC 7, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio decided to keep the city’s beaches closed, raising the possibility of an influx of beachgoers to Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead and prompting officials there to restrict access to residents only.
Delaware:
In Delaware, Gov. John Carney is allowing beaches to reopen for Memorial Day weekend.
But it appears not everyone will be welcome along the sandy shores. Beaches such as Rehoboth are open right now for exercising, and in-state visitors will be welcomed Friday for the Memorial Day weekend, WTOP is reporting.
Officials tell the station the decision to limit out-of-state visitors is intended to keep crowd sizes down so social distancing can be practiced.
Virginia:
Virginia Beach’s beaches can reopen for recreational activities on Friday, but most other beaches will have to wait a little while longer, The Virginian-Pilot is reporting.
According to reports, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday he agreed to allow Virginia Beach to reopen its beaches because the city has developed a good safety plan. Restrictions remain in place, though, like prohibiting group sports on the beach, listening to music with speakers and drinking alcohol.
But if people swarm the beaches and ignore social distancing guidelines, the governor would not hesitate to close the beaches, the Virginian-Pilot reports.
Most of Virginia’s other beaches remain open only for exercise and fishing, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.
The Carolinas:
North Carolina’s reopening order has allowed beaches to open, but social distancing guidelines will be enforced, WTKR is reporting.
In neighboring South Carolina, the city of Myrtle Beach saw large crowds last weekend and is bracing for a busy Memorial Day weekend, WMBF is reporting.
While public beach access at Myrtle Beach is open, groups of more than three people are not permitted, and groups must be at least 6 feet apart, WLTX is reporting.
Georgia:
Georgia was the first state to re-open to haircuts, massages and tattoos earlier this month, so it’s beaches will be open to visitors Memorial Day weekend, too, Forbes is reporting.
Local authorities there will still have power to impose some restrictions based on safety concerns and crowd control, reports indicate.
Most will be open without restrictions, but will encourage common-sense guidelines, reports indicate.
Florida:
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis gave wide authority to cities and counties to decide how to best open and manage their beaches, Forbes reports.
While many say it was a good idea due to the state’s diversity of beaches along its two coasts, there is some confusion about which beaches are open for Memorial Day weekend and which are not.
Anyone planning to go to Florida should research their specific beaches.
AAA has a travel tool that lists travel restrictions, including links to beach restrictions and closures.
VisitFlorida.com includes links to the state’s beaches with more information on COVID-19 restrictions.
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