Click to 1:45 mark in Zoom video to listen to Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan's declaration
Effective Saturday, May 9, the beaches, Boardwalk and Inlet parking lot will be reopened under social distancing guidelines and groups of no more than 10 are permitted to assemble. Meehan said, "this is step one" toward opening Ocean City. Meehan added he worked with Gov. Larry Hogan on this latest executive order.
"Individual decisions will be an important part of this process. ... Let's concentrate on everyone who is doing it right," said Meehan. "I think we are far ahead of where people thought we would be 60 days ago ... I believe the next declaration will be the removal of restrictions on lodging that is set by declaration to be removed May 22. Let's see where the governor goes with regard to his stay at home order, ... but that (the lodging restriction) is still in place to be repealed on May 22 at this time."
Though no council vote was needed, as it’s within the mayor’s authority to act on his own with this emergency declaration, the majority of the council supported the mayor’s plan.
Full story to come.
http://oceancitymd.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx…
It will take two weeks before we see how bad the spike rises. HOWEVER, many people visiting OC will return back to their states and or other Maryland counties and their numbers will spike there and not necessarily here as much. I'm in no way supporting opening the boardwalk and beach but I certainly understand everyone's frustration being locked up for so long. Here's where things will be really bad, my suggestion for LOCALS is GET YOUR GROCERIES before the weekend and stock up. Tourists will come to town and RAID just about everything for their condos and so forth. The HOT SPOTS will be the grocery stores. I feel for all the WalMart, Food Lion etc. EMPLOYEES. This is not good for them.
ReplyDeleteJust a word of caution - opening up the boardwalk and the beach is not opening restaurants and a return to business as usual - I understand better than most the need to get on getting on, however this is the most dangerous time - we have been blessed that on the LOWER EASTERN SHORE - our numbers have been good - this is a game changer! This past weekend West Ocean City was packed! Ocean City was packed with traffic. I love the Lower Eastern Shore and its people - please use caution - we know our beach will be there when this over - we know our boardwalk we be there when this is over - I want to make sure our people we be there when this over. Celebrate your civil liberties but please use caution and lets protect what we all love!
ReplyDeleteBoo hoo. People need to realize that public health is more important than them feeling cooped up. Go for a walk with your mask on or something. Not to mention the employees like you said. It will likely be people who think the virus is a hoax anyway so they will end up becoming an additional burden to the hospital system.
ReplyDelete8:54 You are so wrong in all statements
DeleteJOE: YOU NEVER CEASE TO SURPRISE ME! WELL SAID!!!! ESPECIALLY COMING FROM A BUSINESS MAN!
ReplyDeleteOpening the beach, or boardwalk, is no big deal.
ReplyDeleteThere is plenty of space and if you distance and masking, around others, you'll be fine.
It is concerning to me that when people do come from out of town and need to go to the hospital, we will not have the room. The beach has an enormous amount of visitors that don't normally need hospitalizations. This could be a mess. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteI have many friends who work in the heath care system. The sick people that need to go to the hospital are very, very sick. Some will have permanent damage. This virus is dangerous and no one can answer if we build immunity or not. If this thing mutates like the Spanish Flu did into a much worse strain it could be very very bad. I also understand the need to work. What is the point in living if you can't afford groceries.
This is just not good for the lower shorecounties in Maryland, Sussex in Delaware and Eastern shore of Virginia.
ReplyDeleteNo one likes being at home but wouldn't you prefer that instead of having to quarantine due to exposure? Sometimes, you have to be uncomfortable for a period of time to be comfortable for a longer period of time.
You must be retired, still getting paid or on unemployment.
DeleteThey could end up staying in Hotels in Salisbury if they're hell bent on coming to OC since it's a short drive.
ReplyDeleteHere's that family friendly attitude OC has. Just kidding, they just want your money.
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly correct. They do not care about the locals! It is all about the money in your pocket, that is sad.
DeleteI for one need fresh air and see something besides the walls in my house and the nasty city here. Yesterday I got out with a friend used our masks and had our gloves and took a nice walk in the park you'd be surprised the lift it gave us, just seeing the ducks, baby ducks, geese and wildlife made us appreciate even more what were missing. The walkers were all wearing masks the younger people did not but they did remain at safe distances. I'm for the Ocean City thing just use common sense and distance wear the masks and gloves.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely stay away if that is your mentality. Once the Baltimorons get here there will be no way to stay 6 feet apart. And if you watched the news you would know that masks are not required on the boardwalk.
DeleteColor me surprised, Ocean City Mayor and Council vote Money over Safety!
ReplyDeleteLet's all remember this come ~May 25th
Everyone (locals) do know many access areas to get to the beaches. To include over the line in DE. So that isn't an issue. Having visitors during this time who know nothing but having a GOOD TIME...well.
ReplyDeleteJoe you are always spot on. IF they come (weather doesn't look promising this weekend) and find out stuff is closed...they will hit the markets, stores, 7-11's/wawa's just to get to anything. Including spirits.
Dumb what Rickie has done. There was no need to push after he already provided dates in the future.
Time for him/Co to walk it back before more harm than good rears its ugly head.
HA - HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Geez.
From wtop.com:
ReplyDelete“This is a way to give a nearby residents more opportunities to get outside and enjoy fresh air, while still adhering to social distancing guidelines and gathering limits,” Hogan’s Communications Director Mike Ricci said in a joint statement with Jessica Waters, the communications director for the town of Ocean City. “The governor’s stay-at-home order remains in effect.”
You are not getting corona virus from going to the beach.
ReplyDeleteThe Food Lion on 120th looked like the UN yesterday - no way the people I saw were local.
ReplyDeleteYou folks haven't seen enough war movies, blow up the bridge ! LOl!
ReplyDeleteI guess everyone will be taking a leak, etc. in the ocean since there may only be a few restrooms if any open. Now that sounds like a health emergency in the making! No thank you.
ReplyDelete11:22
DeleteThat is absolutely the funniest comment ever!
Are you 10 years old?
Can you imagine how large is the OCEAN?
Lol
I am crying over here!
Please make another comment.
I can wait to read it!
Elections due this year?
ReplyDeletehmmmm wait a minute. Ahhh there it is:
November 3 2020 at the OC Convention Center:
"The mayoral seat and four council seats are up for election to include the seats of current Council Members Dennis Dare, Tony DeLuca, John Gehrig and Mary Knight.
Also:
2020 Municipal Election Schedule
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Incumbent’s resignation due if seeking mayoral seat
Tuesday, October 6, 2020 Candidate Filing Deadline
Tuesday, October 13, 2020 Universal Registration deadline as set by Maryland State Board of Elections *
Friday, October 16, 2020 Ocean City’s Registration Deadline **
Monday, October 26, 2020 Interim Campaign Expenditure Report Due
Monday, November 2, 2020 Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Tuesday, November 3, 2020 Election Day
Thursday, November 5, 2020 Organizational Meeting @ 7:30 p.m.
Monday, November 16, 2020 Final Campaign Expenditure Report Due
Well Well Well. If you are a registered local in OC - VOTE!!!!!
...I guess everyone will be taking a leak, etc. in the ocean since there may only be a few restrooms if any open.
ReplyDeletePublic Works employees keep some restrooms locked DURING season when someone doesn't show up for work. It's Town employees too that suffer (even though it violates OSHA). So, nothing new with this.
Good on Ricky - he's actually showing some guts with this.
ReplyDeleteYeah his gut is screaming for Seacrets and Fishtails.
DeleteOC Mayor is making a HUGE Mistake
ReplyDeleteKeep your eye on SW Florida since they have opened the beaches and restaurants. I went to a Florida restaurant yesterday (a sports bar). Beer served in plastic cups. Paper menus to be thrown away. Tables spaced. Outdoor seating. Good food. All bar stools were removed. No condiments on tables. Noticed tables and chairs were wiped down after each customer. Had great food. Enjoyed the sports programs on the many TVs. Great beer. Florida knows how to do it. We always learned how to deal with Snowbirds. We stay home when they are here. 9C can't do that since you have only 3-4 months of warm weather.
ReplyDelete