As COVID-19 restrictions linger, Memorial Day down the shore far from business as usual

Ocean City, N.J., boardwalk
Photo credit Tim Jimenez/KYW Newsradio

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OCEAN CITY, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — This isn’t the Memorial Day at the shore that many beachgoers were dreaming about a few months ago.

There are announcements over the speakers along the boardwalk, and signs everywhere, reminding people to stay six feet apart, wear a mask and wash their hands. Hand sanitizer dispensers are spaced out along the boardwalk. Masks are highly recommended, especially while waiting in line for food. 

Have people been complying? From visitor Kate Mora’s point of view, kind of.

“I’ve seen less masks than I thought I would see. I was kind of disappointed,” she said. “I thought maybe we should follow the governor’s rules and the CDC guidelines, but it’s been less crowded than I expected, so it wasn’t too bad.”

A blah start to Memorial Day here in Ocean City. And a different unofficial start of summer with distancing emphasized and hand sanitizer stations along the boardwalk. Live this morning on @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/UuLxuCkgMV

— Tim Jimenez (@TimJRadio) May 25, 2020

It all feels and looks different, but that’s OK, she said.

“Any day here at the shore is better than a day home.”

With shops offering curbside pickup and takeout available at restaurants, James McGwire from Norwood, Delaware County says his family is doing what they can to help the mom and pops.

Some businesses can’t be helped for now. The Wonderland Pier is closed, for example, so the fun and games and the full shore experience will have to wait.