Long Beach Twp. Closes Beaches To All But People With Credentials

LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP, NJ — Long Beach Township closed its beaches to everyone except residents and property owners with disaster-reentry passes. Officials issued the emergency order Monday as a precaution against the novel coronavirus.

"It is evident that a substantial influx of non-residents in and visitors to the Township have and are using the beaches in the Township," says the declaration signed by Mayor Joseph Mancini and Police Chief Anthony Deely.

The restriction will last until until the Township gives a further order or until Governor Phil Murphy rescinds his stay-at-home order. Beach use is restricted to two adults and their children per placard.

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The Township issued disaster-reentry placards after Superstorm Sandy and then again in January. The placards are designed to help locals secure their properties during an evacuation for reasons such as a hurricane, and to give them priority during repopulation. Read more: Long Beach Twp. Issues 'Disaster Reentry' Passes For Hurricanes

Beach activity is limited to walking and jogging. Sporting activities, such as fishing, and congregating on the beach are prohibited.

Read the emergency order on LBTPD's Facebook page.

Here are the other beach closures and rental bans on Long Beach Island, according to Ocean County officials:

• Ship Bottom: all bay and ocean beaches closed.
• Beach Haven: all rentals of 21 days or fewer banned through May 1.
• Harvey Cedars: all rentals of 21 days of fewer banned through May 1.
• Long Beach Township: all rentals banned.

The Ocean County Health Department has reported the following number of cases on LBI as of Monday afternoon:

• Barnegat Light: 2
• Beach Haven: 4
• Harvey Cedars: 0
• Long Beach Township: 6
• Ship Bottom: 5
• Surf City: 2

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