Ocean City, MD plans to allow residents of the area to use its beach and boardwalk on Saturday.
The executive order calls for the opening of the beach, boardwalk and inlet parking lot.
“This is a way to give individuals more opportunities to get outside, exercise and enjoy fresh air, while still adhering to physical distancing guidelines and gathering limits. This does not supersede any Executive Order made by the Governor, including the closure of non-essential businesses. Maryland’s Stay-At-Home order remains in effect,” Meehan stated.
Maryland’s stay at home order, like its counterpart in Delaware, technically bans out of state visitors unless they undergo quarantine.
Agreeing to the reopening were Meehan and Gov. Larry Hogan. Forecasts call for temperatures in the high 50s. The more brisk weather may hold down an influx of beachgoers.
Ocean City, like neighboring beach communities in Delaware, shut down its beaches and boardwalks after visitors converged on the area on a warm day in late March.
The move by Ocean City is expected to put added pressure on Gov. John Carney and Delaware beach community officials to make similar moves.
Any decision in that direction will also put pressure on law enforcement to enforce gatherings of more than 10 and social distancing.
In Delaware, only the City of New Castle imposed a residents-only policy for a park area. The restriction in the historic town bars non-residents from Battery Park on the Delaware River.
Hotels, restaurants and short term rental properties remain closed in both states.
