Ocean City Bans Short-Term Online Rentals Amid Coronavirus

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The City will prohibit online marketplaces from offering short-term rentals until further notice, Mayor Jay Gillian announced Sunday. Officials took the step to limit "non-essential" travel during the novel-coronavirus outbreak.

The measure doesn't ban all short-term rentals, but Gillian urged all private owners to suspend them until further notice. He also spoke with the Ocean City real-estate community, who agreed to suspend short-term rentals of any kind, Gillian says.

The Center for Disease Control issued a travel advisory, which asks residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days. Read more: CDC Travel Advisory For NJ: No Coronavirus Travel Ban From Trump

Governor Phil Murphy prohibited "non-essential" travel March 21 with a stay-at-home order. He also urged people, including second-home owners, not to visit the Jersey Shore during the outbreak.

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Several shore towns, including Ocean City, have taken additional measures. Ocean City closed its beaches and boardwalk Wednesday and also canceled all special events through April.

"I want you all to know that I will do everything I am permitted to do to protect the members of our community, our region and our nation," Gillian said in a statement. "With the leadership of President Pete Madden and Vice President Tony Wilson, all of City Council is working as a team with the administration to do all we can."

Cape May County has reported 10 positive cases of the virus as of Sunday afternoon, including one in Ocean City.

Murphy reported 2,316 new cases and 21 deaths Sunday. State officials have reported 13,386 total cases and 161 deaths. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Coronavirus Cases Top 13K, 21 More Deaths

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