Ocean City Mayor: Let's Slow Coronavirus To Salvage Summer

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Summer in Ocean City won't be the same this year because of the new coronavirus. But there will be a summer, says Mayor Jay Gillian.

Ocean City and Cape May County have focused on a plan for the future. But much of that depends on efforts to stop the virus, Gillian said Friday in his weekly update.

"For all of us to salvage our summer, we will need to work together to find a way to follow best practices here and to keep the virus at bay," Gillian said. "In the meantime, please look after your neighbors, no matter where they are from."

The Cape May County Health Department has reported 14 active cases and three people cleared off quarantine as of Monday morning. The CMCHD has not reported any deaths from the virus in Ocean City, but 13 people have died in the county.

Here's the breakdown by town as of Monday morning:

New Jersey makes tens of billions through tourism each year, much of which is generated at the Jersey Shore. But many decisions in the region will depend on the effectiveness of slowing the spread, including Ocean City's determination of when to reopen the beaches and boardwalk.

Related article: Here's How Coronavirus Could Impact Jersey Shore Summer

Cape May County's tourism marketing plan has focused on recovery. The County's businesses typically depend on visitors who come as early as Easter, but difficulties may extend into the summer.

"Tourism is a $6.6 billion industry and employs 35,000 people in this County alone, we are all operating in the unknown," said Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton. "We are looking down the line to salvage the summer and capture visitors who are looking for a close to home vacation destination."

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The economic impacts have especially hurt Cape May and Atlantic Counties because of their number of entertainment and hospitality businesses, according to Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson.

“The current pandemic was unforeseeable at the local level,” Levinson said. “We have some difficult times ahead, but we are prepared at our level to do what needs to be done with the resources at our disposal, and do it quickly."

Gillian and City Council President Pete Madden also joined Cape May County's new Business Recovery Task Force.

Officials created the task force Tuesday to help businesses navigate through information about federal and state aid and present potential funding opportunities. Read more: Cape May County Assembles Business Recovery Task Force

Recovery for Ocean City and the region as a whole will largely depend on overall public health.

"We do not want to risk a second wave of infections," Gillian said. "It will not be business-as-usual this summer. But there will be a summer."

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

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