Asbury Park Closes Boardwalk Due To Coronavirus Crisis

ASBURY PARK – Asbury Park Boardwalk closed its boardwalk to the public on Friday, saying it was shutting the attraction until further notice to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

Asbury Park Beaches will remain open for now, but they're subject to closure should social distancing guidelines not be followed, officials said.

Access across the boardwalk to the beach will be available at First, Third and Sunset avenues. Access to the beach will also be available at Deal Lake Drive.

Residents are encouraged to still spend time outside — take walks around your neighborhood, ride bikes, garden, and play and exercise in your own yards, officials said.

Other boardwalks have also closed, including Point Pleasant Beach and Ocean City. Asbury Park officials had warned people to stop congregating in groups by the boardwalk.

“In our continued effort to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors, we are taking the necessary step of closing the Asbury Park Boardwalk to the public,” said Mayor John Moor. “As nearby beaches and boardwalks close, we are seeing an increase in visitors and traffic on the boardwalk – making it impossible to ensure appropriate social distancing.”

"We are vigilantly monitoring the COVID-19 public health crisis and plan to open the boardwalk as soon as it is safe to do so,” said Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn. “Our number one priority is to keep our community safe by slowing the spread of the virus.”

The City Council urges residents to follow Gov. Phil Murphy’s stay-at-home order and to continue to practice safe social distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others.

Residents may still leave their homes to head to the grocery store, seek medical care, visit close family or someone you have a close personal relationship with (such as a romantic partner), report to work, or go outside for exercise.

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Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order, closing all non-essential business at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• On Monday, March 16, Murphy announced that all schools would close on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy issued an executive order on Thursday, March 19 to ensure voters can exercise their right to vote without risking their health and safety. Read more: Coronavirus Alters NJ Election Procedure, Moves Election Dates
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• Rabner also announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended.
• The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it's also closing temporarily. Read more: New Jersey MVC Shuts Down Because Of Coronavirus
• A new report from ProPublica says New Jersey hospitals would be hard pressed to meet demand – even in a best-case scenario – if the coronavirus outbreak surges. Read more: NJ Hospitals Lack Beds For Coronavirus Surge: Report
• Four members of the same New Jersey family died from the coronavirus, according to March 19 reports. Read more: 4 In Same Family, Including 3 In NJ, Die Of Coronavirus: Reports
• Murphy also has signed 16 bills into law that he says will help the state deal with the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: NJ Gov. Phil Murphy Signs 16 Coronavirus Bills Into Law
• After two FEMA sites opened, officials said five more counties will be getting coronavirus testing sites. Read more: Coronavirus Drive-Through Testing Sites To Open In 5 NJ Counties

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.