Three beaches in Cape May County will reopen this weekend for a dry-run in anticipation of opening for Memorial Day.

Sea Isle is set to reopen beaches Saturday morning, but many people were already out on the beach Friday afternoon, taking advantage of the warmer temperatures. Sea Isle Mayor Leonardo Desiderio says that this weekend will be telling as to how the rest of the summer may look.

“I can’t tell you how happy we are in Cape May County and I’m sure across the 127 miles of beaches in New Jersey to open up our beaches,” the mayor says.

Sea Isle is conducting the dry-run along with Ocean City and Strathmere. The three towns are hoping to learn about capacity management on the beaches and the best way to keep people safe from COVID-19.

“It’s a two-way street. If people do what they’re supposed to do then it’s fine,” says Sea Isle City resident John Vintigni. “But if you get too many people who just want to jump right in there and get together, then I disagree with that part of it.”

Sea Isle City resident John Bielesh says that he thinks that the beaches will be fine this weekend.

“I don’t know anybody that comes up and sits within 6 feet of you when you’re on the beach, so I don’t think there’s going to be much difference at all the way it is,” he says.

 

Restaurants at the beach can be open, but may only offer takeout or delivery. Shops can reopen on Monday for curbside pickup. But beach attractions such as boardwalk games, rides or arcades must remain closed.

Business owners say that they are adapting to the changes and wonder what the summer business season will look like.

“Now things are starting to loosen up, so we decided to start takeout and it’s fine,” says Steak Out owner Jason Pellegrini. “We’re running a reduced staff and we’re taking it one day at a time.”

“Our job has always been to bring as many people as we can to the beach and as many people as we can to our communities. Now we are practicing capacity management,” says Desiderio.

The Sea Isle mayor says that while beaches are reopening this weekend, the beach patrol will not be on duty until next Saturday.