Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk To Reopen Friday

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ—Point Pleasant Beach's boardwalk and northern beaches are scheduled to reopen Friday, Mayor Paul M. Kanitra announced Tuesday.

The boardwalk had been closed indefinitely following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic a little more than two months ago.

The move to reopen it also comes comes after several hundred people descended on Point Pleasant Beach Monday to call on Gov. Phil Murphy to fully reopen New Jersey's economy.

The mayor along with other local leaders then met Tuesday with business owners to finalize decisions for safely reopening.

To ensure everyone's safety, Mayor Kanitra said social distancing measures will be in place to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. The Jersey Shore town’s rides, amusements and games will also remain closed. Restaurants will be open for takeout only.

"Private businesses will be doing their part by providing social distancing ambassadors along the portions where they service customers," the mayor said in an online message to residents. "Hand sanitizing stations have been set up at every beach access point and signage will be going up shortly."

To accommodate Friday's reopening, Kanitra said parking restrictions will be partially scaled back to allow for private and public lots to be opened. The following Friday, June 5th, they will be repealed completely.

As of Wednesday, the inlet parking lot resumed normal operations. Guests must maintain a proper 6 foot distance at all times while fishing or conducting other activities, the mayor stressed.

"Like every decision we make, these measures are subject to change if the COVID-19 situation does," the mayor said in a statement. "We encourage all guests to take social distancing very seriously and help us create the safest environment on the Jersey Shore."

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