Photo Of Long Branch Beach Crowds Draws Ire (Even Peter Frampton)

LONG BRANCH – Peter Frampton came alive on Sunday, and it was because of what he saw at the Jersey Shore.

(OK, remember the classic 1970s rock album "Frampton Comes Alive?").

People from Frampton to political commentator Chris Cillizza were commenting – not kindly – on Twitter after they saw NJ Advance Media photography showing very, very crowded Jersey Shore swimming areas on Sunday.

"Are we sure this is today? Is it photoshopped? Are people really this stupid?" Frampton tweeted when he showed the Long Branch photo shown here.

"Ughhhhhhhhhh" Cillizza tweeted for the photo shown here.

Indeed, NJ Advance Media reported that the beach in Long Branch got so crowded on Sunday afternoon that police temporarily blocked access to the sand. Around 2 p.m., local police officers at one entrance were turning visitors away.

Long Branch wasn't the only Jersey Shore hotspot that raised eyebrows. Point Pleasant Beach officials responded to concerns after photos showed crowded beaches at Jenkinson's this weekend. Read more: Mayor: Jenkinson's Is Taking Steps To Limit Point Beach Crowds

Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking during his Monday news conference, also didn't express much concern, saying he's been working with Jersey Shore communities and "so far, it's been good."

Murphy surmised that "there's not a lot of out-of-state travel happening right now" and New Jersey has had a number of people staying home to enjoy the summer.

"We've had a demand like we've never had," he said.

Murphy also said there is no evidence that beach crowds have led to outbreaks because the virus doesn't spread nearly as easily outdoors as it does indoors.

He believes, however, that indoor graduation parties and other related activities have contributed to local spikes.

Still, they're the kind of crowds that's caused Murphy to warn he'll hit pause on any reopenings if people don't behave. Similar issues have happened at bars in Sea Bright and elsewhere. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

After weeks of seeing this type of thing, Murphy even signed an order Wednesday to require masks to be worn outside if social distancing is impossible. Read more: Gov. Murphy Orders NJ Masks Outside When Not Social Distancing

Indeed, Jersey Shore town is dealing with a coronavirus outbreak this weekend. Read more: Manasquan Suspends Recreation Programs After Local COVID Outbreak

Many New Jersey towns have had coronavirus spikes and now rank high on the case and fatality lists. Here are the latest New Jersey town-by-town numbers, ranked. Read more: New List Shows Town-By-Town NJ Coronavirus Cases, Deaths, Spikes