Cooped Up In House No More, Scenes At Jersey Shore Dramatically Different As Beaches Reopen With Restrictions
OCEAN CITY, N.J. (CBS) -- Saturday was a critical test ahead of Memorial Day Weekend as some beaches in South Jersey reopened to large crowds. But it was not the shore experience that helps define so many summers around here. Many boardwalk favorites are still closed and beachgoers carry the burden of social distancing under the threat of the beaches closing again.
It was a gorgeous day in Ocean City. Hundreds, if not thousands, took advantage of visiting the ocean on the Jersey Shore. But for some, social distancing due to COVID-19 was a bit of a concern.
It was a crowded scene as Eyewitness News cameras captured a somewhat packed boardwalk in Ocean City on Saturday, which made social distancing for safety due to COVID-19 not so simple.
"The boardwalk has been very crowded. The beach, you can spread out a little bit more," Ryan Jones, from Egg Harbor Township, said.
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The state mandates 6 feet of separation among people except for family or household members and couples.
Since Saturday morning, all New Jersey beaches were allowed to remain open. Beachgoers got the green light from Gov. Phil Murphy.
"New hospitalizations, patients in the hospital, patients in ICU beds, patients on ventilators are not just down dramatically from their peaks, but they're down meaningfully over the past couple of weeks," Murphy said.
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The governor gave leeway to local officials in reopening their beaches and whether or not setting a uniform occupancy limit.
Statewide rules mandate that boardwalks and restaurants must be takeout and delivery only. Amusement park rides are at a standstill because games and playgrounds must stay closed.
"I think it's important to start reopening as well. I work in Atlantic City," Chris Vega, a restaurant worker from Egg Harbor Township, said. "The casinos are closed. A lot of people are in trouble with unemployment and such and it's hard for everybody."
Regardless of the economic hardship and lack of social distancing on the boardwalk, others just craved the sound of waves crashing and fresh air from the cool ocean breeze.
"After like 60-something days indoors, it's nice to soak up the sun and be back on the beach," Jones said.
The governor is also allowing boating services, that includes fishing charters and watercraft services. That can begin on Sunday.
