Monmouth County leaders were on hand this morning in Avon-By-The-Sea to discuss summer 2021 and the 2021 tourism season, and one thing seems clear: New Jersey is ready for a normal summer.

The leaders are asking for patience, especially when it comes to visiting businesses still suffering from a work shortage.

“Help wanted,” says Avon Pavilion Manager Lisa Hosley. “It's difficult. Unfortunately, people are saying why would I work when I can sit on the beach and collect more unemployment. A normal hiring fair, we get to 300 applications. This year, I had maybe 25. It was terrible. I'm trying to staff the boutique, now can't get anybody."

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With the state mask mandates and social distancing restrictions coming off in time for the holiday weekend, it's back to reality and time to get outside. 

“It's exactly what we needed to hear, it's what the whole state needed to hear,” says Hosley. “We needed that boost to kind of get back to normal, so I hope everything works out well. I hope people follow the rules and it goes smooth.

Beaches, restaurants, bars and even the dance floors will all return to pre-pandemic statuses over the next two weeks.

But towns are already reporting issues with trash left on beaches and alcohol and marijuana consumption on boardwalks. Leaders are asking the public to respect the towns they visit and simply follow the law.

“We encourage everybody to adhere to the law, and we encourage those towns who have not passed ordinances with regard to the use of marijuana and alcohol on the boardwalk and beaches to do so,” says Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden.

In order to encourage more people to be vaccinated if they so choose, Monmouth County has now partnered with the National Park Service and towns offering vaccines by the beach. They are available this weekend at Sandy Hook Pier Village and Asbury Park Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.