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Mayor’s Message: COVID-19 Update

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Dear Friends, I want to thank everyone again for adhering to all of the many restrictions in place to slow the spread of coronavirus. We need to continue to be vigilant to prevent the exponential growth of infections that other areas of the state are experiencing. I also want there to be hope. We are starting to plan for the day when we can begin to reopen Ocean City. One thing is certain: We do not want to risk a second wave of infections. It will not be business-as-usual this summer. But there will be a summer. I am working with City Council, the mayors of shore towns, county and state officials, and public health experts on a coordinated effort to plan for the future. This includes discussions of when and how we can open the beach and boardwalk in a safe manner. Council President Pete Madden and I also are serving on a countywide Business Recovery Task Force. Ocean City has always been considered home to a melting pot of visitors, second homeowners and year-round residents. For all of us to salvage our summer, we will need to work together to find a way to follow best practices here and to keep the virus at bay. In the meantime, please look after your neighbors, no matter where they are from. At times like these, it’s important that the public have the most up-to-date and accurate information. Anybody can sign up to receive email notifications when I post updates by clicking on the “Alert Me” link at
www.ocnj.us. Please share that information with anybody you know who is not already receiving these updates. I also will look for new ways to reach everybody who has a stake in Ocean City. Warm regards, Mayor Jay A. Gillian