Dear Friends,
I had another week of conference calls with doctors, hospital officials, the governor's office and local leaders as we continue to plan for reopening Ocean City.
I am encouraged to report that our local hospitals remain below capacity, and the trends in COVID-19 cases appear to be flattening. So far, we have done well in Ocean City to prevent the worst outcomes of this pandemic by following all of the directives issued to slow the spread of the virus.
I anticipate that very soon I will be able to share information on beach access for exercising. We will take a measured approach to reopening different parts of the city. As your mayor, my first priority is your health and welfare, and I am particularly concerned for our senior population. We all need to understand that our behavior could affect their safety more than our own.
The medical professionals caution that coronavirus is not going away any time soon, and that filling our beaches, boardwalk and downtown with dense crowds could quickly and easily undo all of our efforts. But they also said it’s important to start thinking about letting people get out into the relative safety of outdoor spaces – for their physical and mental health.
The key to success in reopening all parts of Ocean City will lie in strict social distancing. Even outside, people should stay at least six feet apart, and wear face coverings when this social distancing is not possible. This guidance does not apply to family members or people with close personal relationships.
We all need to take personal responsibility for following these recommendations. Let me be perfectly clear. Everyone’s actions will determine how we move forward. If people do not follow the rules, we will be forced to shut the beaches back down.
Warm regards,
Jay A. Gillian
Mayor
