Long Beach: No Groups On Boardwalk, Or We'll Shut It Down

LONG BEACH, NY — With large numbers of people still showing up to walk on the boardwalk despite the coronavirus pandemic, the City of Long Beach warned that it will shut the boardwalk down if safety precautions aren't followed.

Many people are on stay-home orders in the state of New York. But officials say it's still OK to go outside and go for a walk. However, many people are walking on the Long Beach boardwalk, and are not maintaining a minimum safe distance of six feet apart. People are also congregating at the beach in groups.

"We understand that people can get cabin fever, especially now with many things closed," said City Council President John Bendo. "But putting public health at risk and fomenting the spread of the virus is completely unacceptable. So let me be perfectly clear: if we cannot get people to adhere to even the most basic precautions to try and limit the spread of the virus, staying 6 feet apart, we will close the boardwalk and beach."

Bendo reminded residents that there are plenty of other places to take walks in Long Beach. "We have miles of sidewalks in the City that you can take advantage of," he said.

It is unclear how long the city will give residents time to comply with the order, but this is not the first time it has threatened to close the boardwalk if safety measures aren't followed.

Bendo also reminded residents that, despite the pandemic, dogs are still not allowed on the boardwalk or on the beach.

"You can also bike though our many neighborhoods," Bendo said. "One thing I always find when biking or walking around Long Beach is I always seem to find something that I never noticed before when driving through."