Date:
May 15, 2020
Am I allowed to be on the beach?
The beach is open. The Ocean City Beach Patrol is guarding the ocean (see list of guarded beaches). As per the governor’s guidelines, please maintain six feet of space between others. Avoid large groups. Masks or face coverings are recommended. Tents and canopies will not be permitted on the beaches between First Street and 10th Street. On other beaches, they will be limited in size to 8 feet wide by 6 feet deep by 6 feet tall, and they must be placed at the back of the beach within 10 feet of the seaward side of the dunes.
Are beach tags on sale?
Beach tags are on sale online and by mail at www.ocnj.us/beachtags. The deadline for purchase of discounted ($20) seasonal tags has been extended to June 30. In-person sales are open and available at the following locations:
City Hall: At the reception desk. Hours are 8:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays (including Memorial Day).
Music Pier/Box Office Window: Purchase from the window. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Route 52 Causeway Welcome Center: Purchase from the window. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Henry Knight Building: Purchase from the lobby. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
34th Street Information Center: Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Military Beach Tags are available at City Hall, the Route 52 Causeway Welcome Center and the Music Pier, with proper I.D.
Please remember to follow social distancing guidelines when purchasing beach tags; stay 6 feet apart in line, wear a face covering, and wash or sanitize your hands after the transaction.
Am I allowed to be on the boardwalk?
The boardwalk is open for walking, running, bicycling and for access to takeout food. Please avoid social gathering and respect social distancing guidelines. Amusement centers remain closed by executive order of the governor. "Curbside" pickup for retail stores began on May 18, and they will be permitted to open starting June 15. Public restrooms on the boardwalk are open and being sanitized throughout the day. Hand sanitization stations have been installed at regular intervals along the boardwalk.
Are other recreational facilities open?
The Ocean City Municipal Golf Course is open (with restrictions). The Ocean City Skate Park is open (with restrictions). The Ocean City Dog Park is open to members (please respect social distancing guidelines). Recreational fields are open (please respect social distancing guidelines). Tennis and Pickleball courts are open. The Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center remains closed.
When can I leave home under the “shelter in place” order issued by the governor?
All residents are to stay at home or at their place of residence unless they are leaving for the following reasons:
Obtaining goods or services from essential retail businesses;
Obtaining takeout or food beverages from restaurants;
Seeking medical attention, essential social services, or assistance from law enforcement;
Visiting family or close friends, caretakers, or romantic partners;
Reporting to or performing their job;
Walking, running, or engaging in outdoor activities with immediate family, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners;
Leaving for an educational, religious, or political reason;
Leaving because of a reasonable fear for health or safety;
Leaving at the direction of law enforcement or other government agency.
Individuals who have to travel must practice social distancing when possible and should use public transportation only if they have no other choice. People do not have to be with only "immediate family members." People can walk down the street, travel in cars or otherwise be outside with non-family members with whom they have a close personal relationship.
What is social distancing?
People need to stay at least six feet apart when possible. Small groups of family members and others are permitted, as long as they fall under one of the exemptions in the “shelter in place” order. People or groups are permitted to pass each other on sidewalks and streets.
Are face coverings mandatory?
The governor’s Executive Order No. 122 makes it mandatory to wear cloth face coverings/masks inside any essential retail establishment or restaurant. It also makes wearing face coverings mandatory at warehousing businesses, manufacturing businesses, businesses performing essential construction, and on construction sites when "social distancing" is not possible.
There is no executive order or CDC requirement that people wear masks at all times when in public. It is required only when you enter an essential retail establishment or restaurant. People do not have to wear face masks "at all times" while in public. The CDC does recommend "the wearing of cloth face coverings/ masks in public settings when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, especially in areas of "significant community-based transmission."
Are restaurants allowed to be open?
All can remain open for their normal business hours, but must continue to be delivery and/ or takeout only. Outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted starting June 15.
Are short-term rentals and hotel stays permitted?
The lodging of seasonal tenants and transient guests are now permitted. See information on disinfecting protocols .