Author’s Note: As frustrating as it may be at times, I agree with the premise most state government leaders are using to approach the COVID response: it’s better to be safe than sorry. In other words, it’s probably best to approach reopening the economy with an abundance of caution to limit the potential for a surge in new cases, which would likely knock us back into another 3-month lockdown. After all, hundreds if not thousands of lives are at stake.
Aspects of every day life (interactions) have already changed. Simple activities seem foreign; going to the grocery store stress-free, crossing the street regularly when being approached by others on the same side of the road, “going to” a concert via live stream, even declining social invitations that just don’t seem worth the risk. Highly anticipated Cape Cod summer experiences have also been shuttered. There will not be Cape Cod Baseball League, arts and craft festivals, road races, fairs, band concerts, fireworks or parades. Life on Cape Cod is already different.
Shortly after I published “Must Play Beach Games from 6 Feet Away,” Massachusetts Governor Baker released guidance on outdoor recreation, among many other provisions of the reopening effort. I had expected the guidance to keep beaches open, which it does, but with a handful of important conditions. Turns out, much of those cherished beach games are outlawed this summer due to concerns of not being able to maintain social distancing. I assume this declaration was made out of the aforementioned abundance of caution, and not from experience because, again, the beach games mentioned can be played from a safe distance. I swear! Regardless, while the Governor’s guidance is a framework, individual towns that own and manage their own beaches can go farther in their beach rules that limit access – some already have.
New Beach Rules (2020 Edition)
As of 6:00 am on May 25, beaches in Massachusetts were declared open for “passive recreation, which includes siting, sunbathing, and picnicking…” Finally, some familiar semblance of summer. While www.HappyCapeCod.com strives to always find optimism in our topics, previewing the summer beach scene on Cape Cod has been noticeably difficult. Already, the towns of Falmouth and Wellfleet have eliminated or restricted parking to limit crowds to encourage social distancing. These new beach rules – both the Bill Maher (“New Rules”) and the partygoer’s (“the beach rules!”) versions (bad joke intended), need to be promoted and covered (face covering pun intended) for those heading to the beach. Note: The information below has been compiled from Massachusetts COVID-19 Order No. 34 and a May 18, 2020 Memo from Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and will likely be updated:
Wear a Face Mask at the Beach. When social distancing is not possible, everyone 2-years-old or older without specific medical conditions, must wear a face mask. Face masks will likely need to be worn when walking through parking lots, accessing bridges and staircases, and walking to your spot in the sand.
Groups of 10 People or Less. While ten people per group may seem high, a family with a couple relatives can easily hit double digits. To achieve distance on the beach, the State did suggest that towns consider reduced parking. As mentioned above, Wellfleet already decided to not sell day passes at White Crest Beach. With Newcomb Hollow already a resident only lot, visitors will find slim pickings in Wellfleet. Falmouth is planning for 50% reduction in the number of parking spots available at each beach. Other towns are considering limiting the sale of beach stickers and day passes. All of this means you will need to get to the beach earlier or prepare outdoor alternatives.
Maintain a 12 Foot Perimeter. One journalist captured this notion quite well, “Forget about plopping down near the [beach] entrance, not wanting to lug coolers and beach gear any farther than they have to. Carry less, walk more.” Even lifeguards will have to be six feet apart from one another! While my crew usually sets up shop far away from the staircase, now most people will share that approach.
Limited (if any) Amenities. While snack shacks and food trucks should be allowed to serve folks since they are basically “take out” only operations already, beachgoers may find locked restrooms and garbage cans may even be removed. Similarly, shuttle service is not part of Phase 1 of the reopening, which affects the trolley shuttle at Coast Guard Beach in Eastham and the “Funk Bus” that coves multiple beaches in Wellfleet.
Online Transactions. Cash is not king anymore. From everything from beach parking stickers to take out food, most people will be asked or instructed to pay online. Make sure your smartphone is fully charged before heading to the beach
Beach Games Outlawed – Depends? Saving the best and muddiest issue for last; the State’s reopening guidance is clear that for state beaches, “organized games remain prohibited.” However, the guidance for local beach managers is not as clear. The language reads that beach games “should not be allowed,” though individual towns have the ultimate say. Most towns will likely go further in issuing local restriction, but with law enforcement already limited simply by the number of officers, enforcing social distancing will be tricky. It seems like lifeguards may be in a position to take this on, but that means less eyes in the water, which is not good.
A final thought. The Cape Cod Reopening Task Force recently launched a dedicated website for businesses, town managers, residents and visitors to prepare for future reopening phases. Seasonal residents and vacationers are being welcomed back as long as they commit to regularly a) wash their hands, b) wear masks in public, c) socially distance at least six feet (12 feet on beaches), and d) stay home if they are sick. Visitors are still expected to self quarantine for 14 days through June 8 (Phase 1).