Manasquan Releases Updates On Beach Plans Beginning Memorial Day

MANASQUAN —Manasquan announced more specific plans as to how the town plans to handle its beach operations beginning on Memorial Day weekend.

The town provided a question-and-answer format for its plan:

Do I need a badge to get on the beach?

Yes! Currently only pre-purchased (online) season badge holders will be allowed on the beach. At this time badge sales have been halted due to overwhelming demand. Please visit Community Pass on the borough's website to check for updates as we enter Memorial Day weekend. Please note: NO BADGES WILL BE SOLD AT THE BEACHFRONT - ALL BADGES MUST BE PRE-PURCHASED ONLINE

Will Manasquan Beach be open?

Yes! The beaches will be fully staffed for the entire weekend. The borough will begin checking badges on Saturday, May, 23rd and every weekend thereafter until we open daily on June 20th. THE BEACH WILL CLOSE NIGHTLY AT 8 P.M. PER GUIDELINES ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Will lifeguards be on duty?

Yes! Manasquan Beach will be staffed with lifeguards on Friday May 22 through Monday May 25. Guards will be on duty from 9am to 5:30 p.m. daily

Will bathrooms be open?

Yes. The public restrooms at Inlet, Brielle Road and Sea Watch/Ocean Avenue will be open all weekend. Restrooms will be closed during the week when the beach is not open. Porta potties will remain in place at Inlet and at Sea Watch. BATHROOMS WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. DAILY. THE RESTOOMS AT MAIN BEACH WILL REMAIN CLOSED FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND

Will the beach walk and inlet walk be open?

Unfortunately the beach walk and inlet walk will remain closed until further notice. The beach walk will only be open where the beach access gates are located. Both will be monitored by the Manasquan Police Department and Manasquan Beach Patrol

Will parking lots be open?

Parking lots will be open for those who possess season parking passes. On-street parking is available and will be on a first come first serve basis.

How do I access the beach?

Access ramps located at Inlet, Whiting Avenue, Pompano Avenue, Brielle Road, Main Beach, Riddle Way, Ocean Avenue/Sea Watch and Potters Beach will be open. Beach gates in the areas of these ramps will be open. Several beach gates along the walkway however will remain closed until further notice.

Gov. Phil Murphy has been announcing reopening dates as cases continue to declined. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Here are the latest local updates from Manasquan:

CASES:

• Manasquan had 30 cases as of Tuesday, May 19, according to the Monmouth County Health Department.

SCHOOLS:

• Manasquan schools say they plan to hold virtual graduations this year now that Gov. Phil Murphy has prohibited live ceremonies for the time being. Read more: Manasquan To Hold Virtual Graduations
• All schools in Manasquan will remain closed through the academic year. Read more: New Jersey Schools Closed For Rest Of Academic Year: Gov. Murphy

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'

BEACHES:

• Manasquan has a "phased" beach reopening plan that will begin on Memorial Day weekend. Read more: Manasquan Introduces Beach Reopening Plan

BUSINESSES:

• The Osprey Nightclub has decided that it won't even dare to give summer a try this year. Read more: The Osprey In Manasquan Closes For Summer Due To Coronavirus
• 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

• 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
• 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

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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.