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Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Mayor Issues New Declaration Extending Beach & Boardwalk Closure until April 30

Link to New Declaration

Ocean City, Maryland – (March 30, 2020): The Town of Ocean City continues to take extreme measures to protect residents and employees from the rapid spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). On Sunday, March 29, the Mayor and City Council met in closed session and outlined several new emergency actions which increase the restrictions previously implemented in our resort community.

The first action, which was outlined in a new emergency declaration by Mayor Rick Meehan, extends the closure of the beach and Boardwalk through April 30, 2020 and closes the Inlet Parking Lot. In addition, the declaration supported actions taken by the State of Maryland requiring anyone who has traveled to or from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut to self-quarantine for 14 days. This order applies to the Town of Ocean City and will be enforced. Further, to echo the new STAY AT HOME order issued today by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, officials are no longer asking visitors and non-resident property owners to stay home, they are directing them not to travel to Ocean City.

“The council has been proactive and we believe our actions are working,” commented Mayor Meehan. “We have far less people in Ocean City than we normally would this time of year. However, while the vast majority of people are listening to our warnings, we still have some who are not complying with our requests to stay home. If this continues, additional actions will be taken to prevent the spread of the virus.”

The Town of Ocean City is currently working with the Hotel Motel Restaurant Association and Chamber of Commerce to ensure that everyone is complying with the Governor’s executive orders. In addition, property owners should cancel any and all short-term rentals through April 30. This includes real estate companies and third-party rentals, including but not limited to Airbnb, Home Away and VRBO.

“We are all in this together and need to work together to fight this common enemy,” Mayor Meehan continued. “The virus is spreading rapidly and we have reached a critical turning point to stop the spread. It is in the best interest of everyone for visitors and property owners to stay home and stay healthy.”

Further updates from the Town of Ocean can be found at: www.oceancitymd.gov/covid19.

If you are experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) contact your primary care doctor for further screening to determine if you should be tested. Unless you are suffering a medical emergency, please do not show up unannounced at an emergency room or other medical facility. You should speak with your healthcare provider, who can alert an emergency room so that its staff is ready with proper protective gear. To protect yourselves and others, wash your hands often, cover cough/sneezes, clean and disinfect surfaces, and stay home if sick. For more information on Coronavirus and prevention tips, visit WorcesterHealth.org or call 410-632-1100 option #8 to connect to our call center (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm). For COVID-19 information in the State of Maryland, please dial 211.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is expected. What will not be, is everything closed on the 4th. It's coming.

Anonymous said...

Walking on the beach is a great exercise and good for the immune system

Anonymous said...

OC close all rentals, Air BNB, VRBO, Hotels?

Anonymous said...

Should do it during H20i

Anonymous said...

Not as long as Hale Harrison is alive. The king of the good ole boys is still in charge.

Anonymous said...

637 - exactly! VA Gov has the stay at home measure until early June.

What we remember as normal is no more. It will take weeks once there is normalcy just to get things working again. I.e., turning on the lights, hiring, training, supply chains, establishment licenses, OSHA approvals and the most important item - getting patrons (not just locals) back to establishments.

We have a long long way to go and hopefully Rickie and Company do reach out to other area resorts and work together for establishing a good working plan. It will take many hands for this to work.

Our City needs that, the State needs that and WE need that.

Only 3 days until another quiet TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

What about Springfest?

Anonymous said...

9:24 AM - BWAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHHAAHAHA

Thx I needed that!

Anonymous said...

It needs to stay closed til at least after Memorial Day, then see how things are going.

Anonymous said...

Springfest is cancelled they just have not announced it yet.

Anonymous said...

The one bright spot on the horizon for Salisbury is maybe we will skip the City Festival this year. We can actually apply money on real things the city needs. Jake could take selfies watching road crews, stand on all those roundabouts, walk the painted sidewalks, and ride his bicycle in the many bike walks, and visit the City Park where we have lost all our animals. The list is endless of the sites of things we didn't need, then he can cool off at THE BRICK ROOM.

Anonymous said...

Dr. Berger Closed the Clarion in Ocean City! Good for Him!! Finally an owner in OC with some Balls!!

Anonymous said...

Say it isn't so. Clarion (old Sheraton) is closed??????

What am I gonna do without my BATMAN Bikini Contests on Sundays?

Shout out to Mike Beatty! A bourbon and coke always waiting for you bayside my friend!

Anonymous said...

Not allowed
Sorry

Most couples who walk on the beach tend to walk very closely with other strangers on the beach. My wife and I enjoy walking close to perfect strangers on the beach and listening to their conversations. If they move away from us, we just gradually move back close to them again.

Who wants to take a quiet lonely walk on the beach? Right?

Anonymous said...

You might as well cancel summer of 2020 people. The sooner you accept it and find another means to occupy your time you'll be better off

Anonymous said...

The problem is Rickie can't let the Endless Summer of 2020 go. His money grab legacy will be etched when OC has no summer, no revenue and HUGE govt salaries that must be paid. Lots of legacy folks on the payroll at high salaries and little turnover over the last 5 yrs.

Perfect Storm has arrived Rickie, sad u don't know what the hell to do!

Anonymous said...

They are crying dollar signs down there. It should stay closed til at least June 30.