COVID's a Beach
Sixteen New York State Park beaches will be open for swimming on Memorial Day Weekend, though restrictions will be in place due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that swimming will be forbidden at beaches within city limits over the holiday weekend.
As of Friday, May 22, the beaches were opened for swimming, though social distancing is being enforced, and face coverings must be worn whenever possible.
Walking, running, exercising, and access to the sand and boardwalk are still permitted during regular park hours. Restrooms are open during regular hours.
If you visit the beach, please observe the following service changes:
- Please limit the length of your visit
- Please practice social distancing and wear a face covering
- All gatherings and organized sports are prohibited
- Drinking fountains are closed
To enforce social distancing restrictions, patrons will be asked to park in every other space in municipal parking lots. At beaches with food services, only to-go service will be available, and online ordering will be used whenever possible.
“Beach-goers are reminded to practice social distancing, respect the rules, and do their part to keep parks, beaches and public lands open and safe for everyone,” the state Parks Department posted. “Beach capacity is expected to fill quickly and New Yorkers are urged to plan ahead by having alternate destinations ready.”
While beaches are open, State Park Police and staff will be patrolling beaches, boardwalks, and parking fields to ensure that beach-goers are following the rules set by the state to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Beach-goers have been instructed to only visit with members of their immediate households, and maintain six feet of distance of others. Blankets and chairs should be kept 10 feet apart, and group activities should be avoided.
Restrictions put in place by the Parks Department include:
- Reducing normal summer season capacity by 50 percent, by limiting parking and other means of entry;
- Prohibiting group contact activities, including contact sports;
- Reducing capacity in indoor areas such as changing areas, locker rooms, restrooms by 50 percent;
- Closing all beachfront concessions and areas of social gathering;
- Implementing measures to maintain social distance for both employees and visitors, including signage, distance markers, directional arrows, and physical barriers;
- Requiring masks must be worn by all employees and visitors when social distancing is not possible;
- Conducting frequent cleaning and disinfection for restrooms and frequently touched surfaces.
With beaches reopening, lifeguards have been trained to practice “universal precautions” and have been educated about how to best disinfect and sanitize equipment and surfaces. There will also be a limit to the number of lifeguards per stand at one time.
Lifeguards will be outfitted with a fanny pack that contains a mask, gloves, hand sanitizer, CPR mask, safety glasses and a surgical mask for beachgoers who are potentially pulled from the water. Each lifeguard shack will also be equipped with supplies and materials such as disinfectant and hand sanitizer.
Here’s a guide to which beaches are open or closed and the restrictions that are in place.
Beaches
Coney Island
Rules and restrictions: Visitors can walk on the beach but no swimming is allowed. No sports or congregating is permitted, and visitors must observe social distancing rules.
Fort Tilden/Riis Beach
Rules and restrictions: Open for “limited recreational access” with no lifeguards on duty, and no swimming. Picnic area will be closed and no barbecues allowed.
Rockaway Beach
Rules and restrictions: No swimming, sports or congregating. Visitors must observe social distancing rules.
Orchard Beach
Rules and restrictions: Closed to swimmers, and no sports or congregating allowed. Visitors must observe social distancing rules.
Sailors Haven, Fire Island, New York
Rules and restrictions: Accessible by ferry and open to the public with lifeguards on duty.
Long Beach
Rules and restrictions: Open to town residents only with social distancing measures in place. Non-residents who already paid $140 for a beach pass will be allowed on the beach during Memorial Day weekend.
Jones Beach State Park
Rules and restrictions: Open to everyone at 50 percent capacity with lifeguards on duty, starting 7 a.m. Friday through Memorial Day. Officials expect capacity to be reached by 10 a.m. each day. Playgrounds and picnic areas will be closed, and no contact sports are allowed.
Point Look Out
Rules and restrictions: Open to Nassau County residents only with social distancing measures in place.
Robert Moses State Park
Rules and restrictions: Open to everyone at 50 percent capacity with lifeguards on duty, starting at 7 a.m. Friday through Memorial Day. Officials expect capacity to be reached by 10 a.m. each day. Playgrounds and picnic areas will be closed, and no contact sports are allowed.
Smith Point County Park
Rules and restrictions: Open to Suffolk County residents only with lifeguards on duty, beginning 10 a.m Friday through Memorial Day.
Indian Wells Beach, East Hampton Town
Rules and restrictions: Open to the public with lifeguards on duty and restrooms available. No non-resident parking. Face masks required.
Nick’s Beach, Montauk
Rules and restrictions: Open to the public with lifeguards on duty and restrooms available. No non-resident parking. Face masks required.
Asbury Park Beach, New Jersey
Beachgoers gather at Asbury Park Beach.James Keivom for New York Post
Rules and restrictions: Boardwalk and beaches open for sunbathing and swimming. Visitors are required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Benches have been removed to discourage groups from gathering.
Seaside Park Beach, New Jersey
Rules and restrictions: The beach, boardwalk and bay are open. Visitors are encouraged to practice social distancing.
Sandy Hook Beach, New Jersey
Rules and restrictions: The beach and park are open to everyone with social distancing measures in place.
