A small step this was made by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, announcing that state beaches will open up for Memorial Day. This is despite saying he’s not rushing to make any big plans to reopen the state back up.
Cuomo explained that beaches, allowing no more than 50% capacity, will open on the Friday before Memorial Day. He noted that contact activities such as football or volleyball – will not be allowed. In addition to that, gathering places such as picnic areas and arcades will not be open, and concessions won’t be operating, Cuomo said.
Beachgoers will be asked to wear masks and socially distance themselves from one other while soaking in the sun. New York’s beach reopening is part of a coordinated effort with New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut.
“The agreement is New York, New Jersey Connecticut Delaware will all be opening beaches, for the Memorial Day weekend. States will have different specific rules about what happens on that beach,” Cuomo said. “If New Jersey opens beaches of Connecticut opens beaches and we didn’t open beaches, you would see a flood of people to Connecticut, and New Jersey… We want what’s best for New York but we want what’s best for New Yorkers.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy made his announcement Thursday that the Jersey Shore would be open for Memorial Day weekend.
Cuomo said it will be up to local governments – towns, counties, cities – to make their own beach decision by Wednesday, May 20. If they decide to open, the must follow the state’s restrictions or have tighter ones.
“If a locality doesn’t open beaches, we need to know because we’ll have more demand on the state beaches,” he added.
