Cape May Co. Submits Plan For Reopening Beaches, Boardwalks, More

Editor's note: This article has been updated since publication to include responses from state officials.

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ — Cape May County's closed beaches and boardwalks could reopen soon under a proposal from Cape May County officials. The county's freeholders, mayors and business community submitted a plan Tuesday to Governor Phil Murphy for gradually reopening the area.

If approved, all beaches could reopen June 1, while boardwalks could reopen Monday for active recreation.

The Recovery Initiative recommends that beaches fully open June 1 for active and passive recreation. Although Ocean City's beaches are currently closed, some Cape May County beaches remain open for active recreation such as walking, jogging and fishing. The proposal calls for reopening beaches June 1 for passive recreation, subject to state directives and local discretion.

Read the proposal here.

County officials called for boardwalks to reopen Monday for active recreation. Social distancing would be required, and idling would be prohibited. On June 1, all boardwalks and related businesses and facilities would open June 1 for full use.

All businesses and facilities reopening would be subject to industry protocols and best practices.

George Helmy, Murphy's chief of staff, tweeted that state officials discussed the plan with county officials Tuesday.

"Not only did I read it, we had a 45 minute call with county leaders an hour ago about it," he said.

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But a spokesperson for Murphy did not recently respond to the County's plan, only saying that the County can't take action that violates Murphy's stay-at-home order. Alyana Alfaro, Murphy's press secretary, sent Patch the following statement in an email:

"Governor Murphy previously signed Executive Order No. 108, which invalidates any county or municipal restriction that in any way conflicts with any of the provisions of the Stay at Home order outlined in Executive Order No. 107. Municipalities or counties may not enact or enforce any rule or ordinance conflicting with any of the provisions of the Stay at Home order.

"The Governor's Office has maintained open lines of communication with all levels of government throughout the pandemic. The Governor has laid out the Road Back and his office continues to be actively engaged with stakeholders across the state as we determine how to proceed with an economic recovery that prioritizes public health."

County officials proposed the plan as an alternative to Murphy's stay-at-home order, seeking the State's permission.

"It has become apparent that there are at least two viable approaches to dampening the spread of the virus. One is the stay-at-home order as detailed in Executive Order 107 and other Executive and Administrative Orders," Cape May County's proposal says. "Another is to develop mitigation protocols for social distancing, personal protective equipment, sanitation, disinfection and employee monitoring that emulate the prophylactic effects of stay-at-home to the greatest extent possible."

Here are some of the County's other proposals:

• Restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries would reopen for outdoor dining and drinking May 26, with a maximum capacity of 75 percent or with customers sitting 6 feet apart — whichever allows for greater social distancing.
• Restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries would reopen indoor seating June 1, with a maximum capacity of 65 percent or with customers sitting 6 feet apart — whichever allows for greater social distancing.
• Beginning Monday, all stores would be allowed to open for pickup. Indoor shopping would commence June 1. Retail operators would be responsible for making sure all employees and customers wear masks and other personal protective equipment.
• The County also recommends that businesses use an online ticketing system. Retail could take reservations in blocks of time to better manage the number of customers in each store.
• Seasonal rentals would be allowed starting Monday. Short-term rentals would commence June 1. Hotels and motels may operate at 60 percent capacity starting June 1 and full capacity effective June 22.

The Cape May County Health Department has reported 179 active coronavirus cases, 173 people cleared off quarantine and 27 deaths as of Wednesday morning.

The CMCHD has reported 11 active cases in Ocean City, including one in a longterm-care facility. Seventeen people in Ocean City have been cleared off quarantine, and no coronavirus deaths have been reported.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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