StayAway Blanket Makes Social Distancing At The Beach Easier

LONG BEACH, NY — Living in Long Beach, Mark Lann has always been a big fan of spending his summers at the beach. But with the coronavirus pandemic plaguing the world and the new social distancing guidelines that are in place, he knew this summer would be different.

In order to make sure he and others would be able to safely enjoy the beach this summer, Lann tried to come up with something that would help people with social distancing. After a few tries, he created the StayAway Blanket.

"I knew the only way that the beaches would be able to open were if the virus rate slowed and we were able to maintain proper social distancing on the beach," he said. "We all know that under normal circumstances, the beach can be empty, but someone will still set up right next to you."

The StayAway Blanket is a huge, 15-foot by 18-foot blanket with a cutout in the middle that can fit two normal-sized beach chairs and an umbrella. The idea is to create plenty of room around you so that you can safely social distance from other beachgoers. The blanket comes with anchoring stakes and has gravity pockets that can be filled with sand to help hold it down. It is made of machine-washable nylon.

Under new guidelines this year, people who are not from the same household need to keep at least six feet apart while at the beach.

Lann has already unfurled his creation on the sands of Long Beach, and said that people were interested in it.

"Overall, everyone’s reaction has been very positive," he said. "I think everyone is just tired of being trapped indoors and is looking for a safe way to be outside."

Preorders for the blanket have been rolling in, Lann said. The blankets are currently going into production and are expected to ship in the end of June, in time for the July 4 holiday.

The StayAway Blanket is currently $55 for preorder, and will be $75 once it officially goes on sale. You can order your own by visiting the StayAway Blanket website.