Gov. Murphy Provides Details On What Jersey Shore Summer Could Be

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday offered hope for some semblance of normality at the Jersey Shore this summer, beginning on Memorial Day. But he said that the "new normal" at the beach won't likely look anything like it did last summer.

Murphy, speaking during a Monday news conference, said he doesn't imagine there will be the "tight spaces" between people at the Jersey Shore on Memorial Day weekend, and perhaps beyond.

Murphy addressed the Jersey Shore's future as he discussed a six-point reopening plan on Monday. Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues 6-Point NJ Reopen Plan In Coronavirus Crisis

At least one Jersey Shore town has offered its own beach reopening plan, and it involves social distancing. Read more: Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Suggests Possible Beach Reopen Plan

If New Jersey does reopen to allow people to go to the beaches, Murphy said the state and local communities will have to have "real restrictions on capacity and social distancing."

"Whether or not we’re in a better place four weeks today, I sure as heck hope we are," Murph said.

New Jersey can't regress one bit until that point, Murphy says. The governor showed a heat map Friday indicating that some counties have regressed in terms of slowing the spread of the virus.

Murphy wants people to stay at their primary homes at this time. But he noted that many Jersey Shore second-home owners and visitors come from the Garden State or at least the region.

"The shore community, particularly in the offseason, does not have the health-care infrastructure to support the challenges that this virus has put upon us," Murphy said.

Many shore towns have already begun planning for when restrictions are lifted, even though they don't know when that will occur.

Related article: Here's How Coronavirus Could Impact Jersey Shore Summer

Long Beach Township gave all restaurants the ability to seek approval to expand outdoor seating when they can reopen for dine-in service. That would better allow eateries to keep a minimum of 6 feet between patrons.

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State officials reported the following case totals Monday in Jersey Shore counties:

• Ocean: 6,024 cases, 330 deaths
• Monmouth: 5,759 cases, 302 deaths
• Atlantic: 749 cases, 30 deaths
• Cape May: 281 cases, 18 deaths

"The extent to which folks keep doing what they’re doing and put it in the positive, we increase our chances meaningfully of getting that semblance of norm on the shore sooner rather than later."

Listen to Murphy's answer on the shore and Memorial Day weekend below:

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know