'A Summer Like No Other:' LI Officials Plan For Upcoming Season

LONG ISLAND, NY — Many look forward to summer on Long Island, but with the coronavirus crisis hitting the area, now many are asking: what will summer 2020 look like? All 13 Long Island town supervisors met on Friday to try to answer that question and discuss a potential "re-opening" plan for local parks and beaches for summer amid the coronavirus crisis.

The pandemic has changed several aspects of life across Long Island for the past two months and many have been wondering what this would mean for the upcoming summer season. Since mid-March, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has established a "stay-at-home" order to stop the spread of the virus which is now set to end on May 15. However state and federal officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, have expressed concerns over opening certain facilities too early causing a second wave of the virus.

Earlier this week, Cuomo said that if the infection rate — determined by looking at hospitalizations, antibody testing and diagnostic testing — continues to decrease as it has been over the past couple of weeks, the second phase of reopening could come two weeks after re-opening.

Most state parks and other outdoor recreations have stayed opened during this time, with residents required to maintain social-distancing guidelines by keeping six feet apart and wearing masks or face coverings in situations where keeping a distance is not possible. In addition, marina and golf courses have already reopened on Long Island, with special guidelines. The beaches have remained relatively empty during the colder temperatures but as the summer season is set to start later this month, local officials are working to set a plan for re-opening.

All of the supervisors have expressed that "there will be a summer on Long Island," but emphasized that it will be different. Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer said that the supervisors plan to coordinate in order to open safely.

"We know that the reason each and every one of us lives on Long Island is for the great beaches, the parks, the recreation, we all live for summer," Schaffer said. "It's going to be different, we know that, but it's gotta be different to protect everyone's health and safety. This isn't about you it's about your neighbor or relative that could be negatively impacted."

At the meeting, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine and Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar announced that beaches in the town will be open as of tomorrow for "passive use" only meaning that guests can walk on the beach but they cannot sit and stay in one place.

Romaine said this will be the first step to try to get back to "what was normal from last year."

"We are committed to making sure that the good life we've enjoyed on Long Island is enjoyed once again," he said.

Schaffer said that by May 18 the supervisors will have a general guidelines to send to federal and state leaders for approval.