Large crowds were expected at the Jersey Shore on Monday as New Jersey residents looked to find relief from extreme summer temperatures.
Belmar, one of the many Monmouth County beach towns, limited badge sales over the weekend in order to keep social distancing measure in place and it could continue to do so again today.
Belmar will sell as many as 7,500 daily badges a day, but that number can be reduced depending on how many seasonal badge holders are already on the beach.
"I would tell some of the people that came yesterday, if you came a little late, come during the week," says Tom Rogers, of Mamalukes Pizzeria.
The limiting of badge sales appeared to be working as county freeholders announced on social media on Sunday there were no new coronavirus cases.
"It's great news, even with the influx of tourists to Belmar and the Monmouth County area, it's great to know that the numbers are lowering and going down," says Belmar business administrator Ed Kirscenbaum.
"The town and the people out there have been doing a great thing; they've been keeping separation; people getting close together are wearing masks and it's starting to show with our numbers. Our business on beachfront has been pretty brisk this season," Rogers says.
Even long-time beachgoers noticed a difference over the weekend.
"The amount of social distance that I see people are about 10 to 15 feet apart everywhere. In the last six years I've been here, it's about five or six inches. Huge difference," says local resident Ken Kinney.
Belmar officials remind anyone who is planning to go to their beach to check the updates on all of its social media platforms before leaving and while traveling to make sure you can still purchase a daily badge.