Asbury Park is suspending all short-term rentals through the month of April, taking another step to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

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The decision was made to limit the number of people traveling to the town. The town will reevaluate after April.

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"What we don't need is people coming down here, renting a place for two weeks to get out of where they are getting out of hand potentially spreading," says Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn.

Quinn says the decision was made to suspend all short-term rentals, which is 30 days or less, as the number of coronavirus cases in the state continues to rise. All renters will receive a refund.

 

"Our police department, our fire department, our EMT, our DPW, the last thing they need is more people in Asbury Park, they need the opposite,” says Quinn. “They need less people to deal with the overwhelming number of calls they are getting."

Quinn says the area is home to a large number of senior citizens, and keeping the vulnerable population, and all residents, safe is the top priority.

 

"We want nothing more than for this all to be over and you and I having a beer on MDW and enjoying the sun,” says Quinn. “That's why at the end of the day, we want for everyone to come back to Asbury Park and everyone to enjoy our beaches and restaurants; we may be begging you to come back, but for now we're asking you to stay away."

Officials acknowledge the economic impact to the local businesses will be devastating, and are working with the state to provide grant money to employees and employers to keep them afloat during the difficult time.