By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Perhaps it was the banners lining the oceanfront Promenade that urged people to “Do your part – stay 6 ft. apart.”
Maybe it was the mayor’s announcements over the public address system that implored everyone to stay safe.
Or perhaps it was simply some well-behaved crowds that are still taking social distancing guidelines seriously during the coronavirus pandemic.
Whatever it was, Sea Isle City apparently had no serious problems with the throngs of visitors that descended on the town for the first weekend that sunbathing and other activities were allowed on the beaches since late March.
“People seemed very gracious and considerate by getting out of one another’s way and maintaining social distance on the beaches and Promenade,” city spokeswoman Katherine Custer said in an interview Sunday.
For Sea Isle and other beach towns along the Jersey Shore, this weekend was billed as a dress rehearsal to prepare for the surge of visitors expected to arrive during Memorial Day weekend, the traditional kickoff of the summer tourism season. Sea Isle seemed to pass the test, Custer said.
“I think we can look forward to a good Memorial Day weekend if people continue to do as they have been doing – practicing social distancing,” she said.
Joining with other shore communities, Sea Isle reopened its beaches this weekend for sunbathing, sitting in chairs, lying on towels and swimming – activities that have been banned for nearly two months during the statewide coronavirus shutdown.
Sea Isle closed its beaches on March 27. The beaches reopened for the first time on May 9 for limited activities such as walking, jogging and fishing. With the gradual loosening of coronavirus restrictions, sunbathing, swimming and lounging on the sand were allowed this weekend.
Sea Isle used banners, signs, announcements and social media to get the word out that social distancing requirements were still in effect, even though normal activities resumed on the beaches and Promenade.
“From what I saw, things seemed to go well this weekend,” said Custer, who made the rounds on the beaches and Promenade.
Beachgoers interviewed Saturday concurred. Lisa Kammerer, of Allentown, Pa., said she had brought a protective mask with her and was prepared to wear it if anyone had ventured too close.
“People have distanced themselves. I feel safe. I don’t need to put the mask on,” Kammerer said while joined on the beach by her daughter, Lauren, and their friend, Carolyn Christy.
Colin McGroarty and his wife, Lisa, of Berwyn, Pa., also had their masks ready to wear if they were needed. But the McGroarty family didn’t have to put the masks on. Colin and Lisa were relaxing on the beach with their daughter, Julia, 6, and 4-year-old son Jason.
“When the tide was going out, we had more space on the beach. But people are staying apart,” Colin said.
Throughout Sea Isle, people saw and heard reminders to maintain social distancing. One social distancing sign was prominently located on the John F. Kennedy Boulevard entranceway into town.
The public address system on the Promenade included an announcement from Mayor Leonard Desiderio urging people to stay safe.
“Keeping six feet apart will keep everyone safe, so please practice social distancing,” Desiderio said in a message over the loudspeakers.
Large banners attached to the railing along the Promenade reinforced that message. They included an arrow depicting the safe distance people should remain apart and the words, “This is what 6 feet looks like.”
“Please keep social distance,” the banners also said. “Do your part – stay 6 ft. apart.”
Underscoring the city’s safety theme, Sea Isle police officers were wearing masks while patrolling the Promenade on bicycle.
Starting Memorial Day weekend, beach tag inspectors will be wearing masks and gloves when they go on duty for the summer.
Sea Isle’s lifeguards will start protecting the beaches during the holiday weekend. There have been discussions in Sea Isle and other shore towns about possibly limiting the beach patrol stands to only one lifeguard – instead of the usual practice of two lifeguards – to help maintain social distancing during the pandemic.
