Ban NYC From LI Beaches And We'll Scrap SantaCon, Official Says

NEW YORK CITY – Long Islanders should be barred from NYC events such as the St. Patrick's Day Parade and SantaCon after towns stopped city dwellers from going to their beaches, a city council member has suggested.

Municipalities across the island rushed through new rules making sure only their residents can enjoy the sand this Memorial Day — effectiviely banning New York City residents.

The move came after Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered New York State's beaches open, but NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio declared the city's beaches would remain closed as the city continues to fight the spread of coronavirus.

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But the ban has left some angry, with council member Keith Powers suggesting a tit-for-tat response that would stop Long Islanders from attending city events.

De Blasio also hit back, saying in an interview with PIX 11: "This should not be about any ill feeling toward people depending on where they come from."

Beaches on Long Island are opening under new guidelines, limiting them to 50 percent capacity, ensuring social distance and mandating masks when people move.

Worried that a flood of NYC beachgoers would stretch capacity, the town of Oyster Bay, the city of Long Beach and Nassau County all passed measures to allow only locals onto the sand. Similar rules went in place in Suffolk County.

The restrictions do not apply to state parks, so anyone can still access Jones Beach, Gilgo Beach and Robert Moses Beach. They also do not apply to private beaches, but it is still unclear when and how they would be able to open.

"It's a shame Long Island has to turn away city beachgoers to protect its residents and ensure safe beaches, but until the mayor gets his act together and makes his own beaches safe, that's the only responsible move," said State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, who represents part of Long Island.

"As soon as New York City does the right thing, Long Island should welcome back its neighbors as long as safe volumes can be maintained."

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