Ventnor will open its beaches next week, but the Boardwalk will remain closed.The move is in line with the governor’s decision to reopen state parks Saturday.“We believe these measures are in keeping with the spirit of the executive orders and have proven to discourage the surge in population that is counterproductive in reducing the spread of the novel virus COVID -19 in Ventnor,” city Public Safety Commissioner Tim Kriebel wrote in a Facebook post. While people will be able to go back on the city’s beaches starting at sunrise May 8, there will be no swimming, surfing, sunbathing, sitting in chairs or on towels, no organized sports or group activities.Walking or running and jogging will be allowed. Dogs may be walked on a leash in accordance with the city’s ordinance.Because the Boardwalk is 14 feet wide, it does not fit the guidelines for effective social distancing, Kriebel said. The Ski Beach boat ramp will also reopen on May 8 for launching and recovery of watercraft only.“We continue to discourage all homeowners — full-time and seasonal — from unnecessary travel or large gatherings that may contribute to the spread of COVID -19,” Kriebel said.But he did warn against using words like “local versus Shoobie,” saying it “is simply juvenile and unkind.”“We all feel the same relief when the sun hits our skin and the saltwater hits our feet and the same joy watching our families grow up near the ocean,” he said. “Dividing our shared love of Ventnor with all its history and quirks only reveals a mean-spirited behavior unwelcome in Ventnor, or anywhere, in this stressful and uncertain time. Our administration has no interest in that type of unproductive and foolish rhetoric. Simply put, ‘Stay at Home’ means YOU no matter where you are.”
