As Other Boardwalks Close, Asbury Park's Is Open – For Now

ASBURY PARK – Point Pleasant Beach, Ocean City and a number of other boardwalks have closed amid the coronavirus outbreak. But Asbury Park is keeping the city's attraction open – for now.

Despite some reports of people not following state guidelines for distancing, Asbury Park says it's keeping the boardwalk open – so long as people play by the rules.

If people don't, officials say, it will close.

"We also continue to monitor our boardwalk and beach to ensure social distancing guidelines are being followed," officials said in a note to residents. "Sadly, should our residents and visitors fail to follow guidelines, we may be forced to close them."

Otherwise, the city told residents that "we want to assure you that the city is doing everything possible to secure the safety of our residents and first responders."

All essential services continue to operate, including police, fire, EMS and the Department of Public Works. Garbage and recycling services will not be interrupted.

Until further notice, all city facilities are closed to the public, but all non-essential departments are working from home and will be responsive to residents by phone and email.

"We have also taken other precautions to ensure the safety of our community, including closing playgrounds and basketball courts, suspending the bike and scooter share programs, suspending alternate side and metered parking, and closing the Bangs Avenue parking garage," officials said.

COVID-19 is highly contagious and we have seen the number of cases rise significantly throughout the United States, officials said.

In Asbury Park, the city currently has 6 confirmed cases and those individuals are in isolation. The city is working closely with the Health Department to keep up-to-date on the situation.

"Given the circumstances, we are expecting to see more confirmed cases in our community in the upcoming weeks," officials said.