Manasquan Introduces Beach Reopening Plan

MANASQUAN — Manasquan has introduced a "phased" beach reopening plan that will begin on Memorial Day weekend.

Under the plan, the opening of Manasquan Beach for the 2020 season will commence on schedule this Memorial Day Weekend.

"In order to provide a safe and healthy recreational environment and comply with the latest state and federal guidance, thebBorough has developed a phased reopening plan resulting from a culmination of efforts by the Beach and Recreation Committees, various municipal departments, and the Office of Emergency Management," the town said.

Here is the plan:

• Commencing at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 22nd, the beach will be staffed and open to season pass holders only. Until that time, the beach will remain in “park status” under the municipal emergency declaration with the current rules remaining in place. In order to comply with the spirit and directives of NJ State Executive Order #133, the following polices have been established:

• Beach passes shall be initially restricted to seasonal badges and limited to online purchase only
• Online sales of season passes will end at midnight on May 15th (to be resumed during Phase 2 below). There will be no purchase of badges (online or in person) from May 16th through at least June 1st
• Each beach day, overall capacity will be monitored regularly, and determinations will be made if needed to reduce or restrict access to certain beaches.
• The plan for the distribution of purchased season badges will be made available shortly

Beach Use and Access:

• In order to limit public exposure and person-to-person contact, beach access will be limited to the 9 access ramps, which include: Potters, Sea Watch, Ocean, Riddle, Main, Brielle, Pompano, Whiting, Inlet
• The beach walk will remain closed north-to-south, and use will be limited to east-to-west crossings to access the beach at the above locations
• Playgrounds and pavilions will remain closed
• Parking lots will be open to seasonal parking passes only
• In accordance with NJ Executive Order #133, “visitors should wear cloth face coverings while in all settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health or where the individual is under two years of age.” Exceptions to this include when swimming, sunbathing or other settings with adequate social distancing.
• The beach will remain off limits nightly between dusk and dawn

Other Amenities:

• Limited availability of restroom facilities with new policies and procedures for regular cleaning
• Locker rentals will be suspended through Memorial Day weekend
• Beach showers and water fountains will not be available through June 1st

Reminder: There will be no purchase of badges (online or in person) from May 16th through June 1st.

Phase 2 – June 2020

The above policies will be re-evaluated and appropriate adjustments will be made if needed with the overarching goal of providing a safe beach environment for our residents and visitors. Items that will be under future consideration include:

• Resuming the sale of daily badges and parking passes
• Showers and water fountains
• Locker Rentals
• Beach access points and beach walk restrictions

Here is the latest coronavirus news in Manasquan:

CASES:

• Manasquan had 30 cases as of Wednesday, May 6, according to the Monmouth County Health Department.

SCHOOLS:

• All schools in Asbury Park will remain closed throuigh at least May 15 in response to the new coronavirus outbreak, state officials said. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Schools Shut Through May 15 In Coronavirus Crisis

HELP AND ASSISTANCE:

• Manasquan has launched a relief initiative to provide support to those in distress. The Manasquan Borough mayor and council say they recognize the unprecedented health-related and financial hardships that many residents are experiencing as a result of this insidious pandemic. Read more: Manasquan Launches '5 Star COVID-19 Initiative'

BUSINESSES:

• Many local businesses are in our guide of what's open and closed in Manasquan during the coronavirus shutdowns. Read more: What's Open, Closed In Manasquan During Coronavirus Shutdowns
• A Manasquan restaurant is seeking to reassure the public as it deals with the coronavirus. Read more: 'We will beat this:' Manasquan Restaurant Seeks To Reassure

HOSPITALS AND TESTING:

• Hackensack Meridian offers COVID19 testing at its nine urgent care centers in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
• Immediate care of Marlboro is offering a drive-thru COVID19 test in the Marlboro Medical Arts site located at 479 Rt 520 in Marlboro. Testing is by appointment only at (855) 925-5467 ext 0.
• The PNC Bank Arts Center is a regional FEMA drive-thru test location and is open for testing every other day from 8 a.m. to 4pm for up to 500 persons per day. Click here for PNC Arts Test Center info & schedule.
• On every Saturday, the PNC Bank Arts Center site will be dedicated to symptomatic health care workers and first responders -- police, fire, and EMS -- with valid credentials only. The general public will not be able to access this site on Saturdays.
• Central Jersey Urgent Care is testing up to 80 patients daily at Eatontown, Howell and Marlboro.

OTHER CANCELLATIONS/CLOSURES

• The inlet parking on Riverside Drive has been closed due to the congestion of vehicles and patrons during the coronavirus outbreak, police announced. Read more: Manasquan Inlet Parking On Riverside Dr. Is Closed In Coronavirus
• Manasquan officials say they're opening parks in accordance with Gov. Phil Murphy’s Executive Order 133. Manasquan were expected to open several parks on Saturday, May 2nd. Read more: Manasquan To Open Up Several Parks
• Manasquan has declared a state of emergency because of the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Manasquan Declares State Of Emergency
• Residential rental contracts are suspended until May 15. Read more: Manasquan's Beach, Inlet Walks Closed; Rental Contracts Suspended
• The borough has ordered a curfew. Read more: Manasquan Orders Curfew Due To Coronavirus Outbreak
• Manasquan's beach and inlet walks are closed, officials said in late March. Read more: Manasquan's Beach, Inlet Walks Closed
• Murphy issued a state-at-home order and closed non-essential businesses earlier in March. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• Residential rental contracts are suspended until May 15, officials said. Read more: Manasquan's Beach, Inlet Walks Closed; Rental Contracts Suspended

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Here's what else you should know:

• Murphy offered a broad reopening plan on Monday, April 27, providing a six-point outline to "restart New Jersey and put the state on the road to recovery." Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues 6-Point NJ Reopen Plan In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order on Saturday, March 21, closing all non-essential business. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• Murphy announced on Monday, May 4 that schools will close for the rest of the academic year because of the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: New Jersey Schools Closed For Rest Of Academic Year: Gov. Murphy
• Murphy ordered stores across New Jersey on Wednesday, April 8 to require shoppers to wear face coverings or masks. Here's how you can get yours, and how the new rule will be enforced. Read more: NJ Shoppers Must Wear Masks: Where To Get Them, How It's Enforced
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• Murphy said during a live press conference on Wednesday, March 25 that he's ordering many day care centers to shut amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Shut Many Day Care Centers Amid Coronavirus Crisis
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory for New Jersey. Read more: CDC Travel Advisory For NJ: No Coronavirus Travel Ban From Trump

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.