The Cape May-Lewes Ferry officials will limit boardings to passengers with vehicles.
The restriction becomes effective on March 18 with the 7 a.m. departure from Cape May. Ferries had also carried foot passengers.
“We are taking proactive steps to protect the health and well-being of our passengers and crew,” said Heath Gehrke, director of ferry operations. “More than a week ago, we started enhanced cleaning measures, installed hand sanitizing stations on-board the Ferry and inside the Terminals and made Clorox wipes available to our passengers to further sanitize their seating area. We’re committed to doing what we can to stem the tide of coronavirus.”
In addition to the new boarding procedure, the ferry has discontinued all foodservice operations inside the ferry terminals and onboard the vessel. Restrooms will be open in the terminal prior to departures and restrooms are available on the vessels. Passengers who may have accessibility concerns aboard the vessel are asked to use facilitates inside the terminal prior to departure.
During the trip, passengers are urged to remain inside their vehicles for the duration of the crossing.
“While the immediate risk of being exposed to the COVID-19 virus is low in our area, we want to be preemptive in our actions,” Gehrke added. “We want to thank our customers in advance for their cooperation with our effort to implement social distancing.”
The Cape May – Lewes Ferry is owned and operated by the Delaware River and Bay Authority, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962.
