Nassau Beach Ban For Non-Residents Proposed By Legislature

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — In response to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's decision to keep the city beaches closed this weekend, the Republican majority of the Nassau County Legislature is planning to hold an emergency session tomorrow to vote on a bill that would ban non-Nassau County residents from using the county's beaches.

De Blasio has said he will not open the city's beaches this weekend. This has led to many officials on Long Island worrying about an influx of city residents to Nassau beaches. Though beaches on Long Island are set to open this weekend, they will be limited to 50 percent capacity and beachgoers will have to follow social distancing guidelines and wear face masks.

"Mayor de Blasio’s decision to keep New York City beaches closed, contrary to the actions of New York State and the surrounding states, could inundate Nassau County and Town of Hempstead beaches with an influx of additional beachgoers, thereby frustrating social distancing safeguards that are in use at Nassau and Town of Hempstead beaches," said Richard Nicolello, the presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature. "The mayor’s decision has dramatic and negative health consequences for Nassau County residents. In specific, popular beaches in Nassau County lack the capacity to handle the massive influx of beachgoers from New York City in addition to Nassau County residents, while simultaneously working to maintain social distancing guidelines put in place by the governor. The New York City Mayor’s arbitrary decision will also result in congestion on our roads and could result in open disputes among people seeking entry to the beaches."

The emergency meeting of the legislature will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday to vote on the measure. If passed, the measure would apply to only Nickerson Beach in Lido Beach, which is the only beach overseen by Nassau County. The Town of Hempstead is crafting similar legislation for its own beaches.

“It’s a shame Long Island has to turn away city beachgoers to protect its residents and ensure safe beaches, but until the mayor gets his act together and makes his own beaches safe, that’s the only responsible move," said Sen. Todd Kaminsky. "As soon as New York City does the right thing, Long Island should welcome back its neighbors as long as safe volumes can be maintained. That would be best for Long Island businesses and in the spirit of our state. I am speaking with federal officials to make sure that beaches that received Army Corp support can continue to do so in the future in light of this unprecedented situation we currently face.”

At a press conference Tuesday, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said she would sign the measure when it came to her.

"There is no summer on Long Island....without the beach. Now, more than ever, our shores will serve as a relief from being inside," Curran said. "As County Executive, my No. 1 priority is the health and safety of Nassau County residents."

But de Blasio said in an interview this morning that he thinks that city residents should be allowed to come to Long Island beaches.

“This should not be about any ill feeling toward people depending on where they come from,”de Blasio said in an interview with PIX 11.