Beaches To Open In NY, NJ, CT, DE For Memorial Day

NEW YORK, NY — State and local beaches and lakeshores will open the Friday before Memorial Day in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday. The news comes as the state saw a slight uptick in the number of new COVID-19 cases.

Beaches will have to abide by several rules and regulations, he said, including remaining at no more than 50 percent capacity by controlling exits and entrances and limiting parking. Group contact activities remain banned, including sports and areas of gathering remain closed, such as picnic areas.

Cuomo said he made the decision because neighboring states planned to open beaches, and he feared New Yorkers would leave the state and flood overcrowded beaches.

"You would have millions of people in New York flood those beaches," he said.

Cuomo said city, town and county beaches can open under the same conditions as long as local governments fully enforce minimum rules.

Cuomo on Friday also announced that barbers and hair stylists will be allowed to resume operations during phase two of the state's regional reopening plan.