As coronavirus-related restrictions ease and temperatures rise, people flock back to the Jersey shore.
And with the holiday weekend of July 4, that is making some people nervous, particularly due to the large crowds that have recently emerged in some popular coastal locations and poor compliance with mandatory measures to help curb the spread of the virus.
“I’m really concerned,” said Paul Kanitra, mayor of Point Pleasant Beach, a popular seaside town that was unexpectedly overrun by thousands of tourists who invaded the beach and boardwalk a few weeks ago at a “pop-up party,” paying little Pay attention to social distancing or masks.
“We are seeing spikes across the country in states that opened weeks ago, and while we are doing a good job in New Jersey, there are many people who are too arrogant about social distancing,” he said. “There is an inherent risk in all of this.”
Large crowds on the shore are expected for the holiday weekend: New Jersey casinos have reopened, along with rides and water parks. The beaches are open, albeit at low occupancy levels. Restaurants may offer limited cookouts, and stores and shopping malls have reopened.
But not everyone follows rules designed to prevent the spread of the virus, including wearing masks and separating 6 feet (2 meters). In late June, large crowds invaded D’Jais, a popular Belmar waterfront nightclub in scenes reminiscent of the days leading up to the pandemic. Few customers wore face covers, and few still kept their distance from others on a crowded dance floor.
Governor Phil Murphy watched videos of the packed club and warned that the state will not hesitate to re-impose more severe restrictions if people do not behave.
“We cannot give up our social distancing or our responsibility just because the sun is out,” said the governor. “We cannot let ourselves be carried away by complacency and think that it is okay to crowd into a bar. This is how outbreaks occur. “
Skyler Walker, a Scotch Plains woman in her early 20s, was at Belmar Beach last week on a sunny day with 90-degree temperatures.
“I definitely think that people are starting to care less about people,” the virus said. But the face mask he wore on the boardwalk while waiting in line to buy beach badges indicated that he doesn’t share that view. “They act like it’s over now.”
I was on the beach with a friend who is a nurse in a Jersey Shore hospital full of coronavirus patients. The friend, who did not want to give her name, insisted that the virus is not over, according to what she sees at work every day. She is scheduled to work at the hospital on July 4.
Michael Scott, another 20-something on Belmar Beach, said he and his friends have changed their behavior this summer, including at nightclubs.
“I try to hang out with my people,” he said. “It is not just about meeting new people. We have a close group of friends who were quarantined together. ”
Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian pleaded with residents and visitors to wear masks during long vacations, including on the waterfront, noting that “Ocean City is already very busy.”
Although New Jersey’s hospitalization rate dropped dramatically from a peak a few months ago, authorities fear hospitalizations for the virus will increase again if people become lazy by taking precautions.
“We are especially concerned after the meetings we saw on the Jersey shore,” added state health commissioner Judith Persichilli. “People were together, which increases the risk of the virus spreading.”
This weekend will be a great test with the reopening of eight of the nine casinos in Atlantic City. The Borgata remains closed due to Murphy’s indoor smoking, drinking, and eating bans in game rooms.
Most casinos scan guest temperatures upon entry, hand sanitizer dispensers are placed throughout the venue, and everyone inside must wear a mask.
The first day of operations, Thursday, seemed to be going well, with extensive compliance with virus precautions. In 2 1/2 hours in the gambling hall of the Hard Rock casino, an Associated Press journalist did not see a single person without a mask.
