Gloucester beaches are open. Here’s what to know.
"Both Good Harbor Beach and Wingaersheek Beach parking lots will be at reduced capacity to limit number of beachgoers," according to the city.
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Gloucester beaches are open, but it could be difficult for non-residents to be able to use them — especially on popular days.
The city’s beaches and Stage Fort Park had reopened back on May 22 as part of Phase 1 of Gov. Charlie Baker’s reopening plan. But on Monday, Gloucester officials noted in a news release that Good Harbor Beach is now open to “a limited number of non-residents … on a first come, first serve basis each day,” in addition to continuing to be available to residents.
“We urge residents and visitors to continue to follow social distancing guidelines,” Karin Carroll, Gloucester’s public health director, said in the release. “Wear a face covering when social distancing isn’t feasible. Please do the right thing, so that we can keep reducing the spread of this virus and move forward with reopening, safely.”
Wingaersheek Beach was already under the guidelines instituted for Good Harbor Beach. Both beaches’ “parking lots will be at reduced capacity to limit number of beachgoers,” the city said Monday.
Niles and Plum Cove beaches are for residents only, a regulation already in place. Stage Fort Park, including Half Moon Beach, is open to the public.
Lifeguards are planned to begin work on June 20, or Father’s Day weekend, according to city officials. Face coverings are required when social distancing isn’t possible, and there should be 12 feet between towels or blankets. People should stay six feet apart, and groups over 10 people are not allowed, state guidelines for beaches say. Games, including volleyball, bocce, and soccer, are prohibited.
Police will not be patrolling beaches to enforce social distancing, but city officials could close beaches, or add limitations, if the guidelines aren’t followed, according to the release.
“In other words, the City of Gloucester does not intend to go person-to-person ensuring that everyone is following public health guidelines, however if in the judgement of public health and safety officials, these guidelines are being wantonly ignored and public health is in danger, the beaches will be closed,” the release says.
New Hampshire beaches reopened last week for sunbathing, but, like in Massachusetts, there’s limited parking. Groups there must also maintain a 6-foot distance. Meanwhile, experts on Cape Cod are seeing an uptick in people wanting to reserve rentals longer term, like a month or the entire season.
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