Cape May County Mayors Urge Halt In Short-Term Rentals

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ — All 16 Cape May County mayors collectively urged people to stop short-term rentals during the novel-coronavirus outbreak. They also asked the public Monday to stay at their primary homes and adhere to social-distancing practices.

Most towns have not outright banned all short-term rentals. But they collectively requested that realtors, online rental platforms and individuals stop the practice until Governor Phil Murphy's coronavirus executive orders end.

"Hotels and motels are considered to be essential services," the statement says, "and we ask that they rent only to individuals who are performing essential functions per the Governor’s executive orders, not to traditional tourists."

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Elected officials in each community may enact further restrictions if their appeal isn't followed, the statement says.

Ocean City announced a moratorium Sunday on online marketplaces offering short-term rentals. Mayor Jay Gillian also spoke with the real-estate community community, who he said agreed to suspend short-term rentals of any kind. Read more: Ocean City Bans Short-Term Online Rentals Amid Coronavirus

Cape May County Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton warned March 17 that additional visitors put a strain on local supermarkets and could eventually burden the medical system. Read more: Cape May Freeholder Urges Visitors To Stay Home Amid Coronavirus

Officials have confirmed 19 positive cases of the virus in Cape May County as of Tuesday morning. Five patients have recovered, including the individual with the only reported case in Ocean City.

No deaths from the coronavirus have been reported in Cape May County. But 198 people have died from the virus in New Jersey, according to state officials. Read more: NJ Coronavirus: 3,347 New Cases, 37 Die In Highest 1-Day Toll

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