The Ocean City Boardwalk Merchants Association on Wednesday launched a change.org petition urging Gov. Phil Murphy to lift the remaining restrictions that prevent all of Ocean City’s businesses from safely opening for the summer, according to a release.
The petition — https://www.change.org/OpenOCNJNow — notes the ongoing economic hardship caused by the restrictions, especially as they apply to restaurants and amusement parks, arcades and water parks on the Boardwalk.
The petition reads:
As a result of Governor Murphy’s continued economic shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Revenues are down by more than 50 percent for 3 in 4 Ocean City, NJ, Boardwalk businesses.
- 76 percent of Boardwalk businesses have cut their workforce by more than 50 percent.
- 1 in 8 Boardwalk businesses say they have considered closing for good.
- 100 percent of Ocean City businesses report having social distancing, safety and hygiene plans in place.
“In short, it’s past time for Governor Murphy to allow Ocean City Boardwalk businesses — retail, restaurants and amusements — to fully open with safeguards in place before it is too late for our businesses and the workers we employ,” the release states.
