Heads-Up East Haven: Mayor's Emergency Beach Ordinance

EAST HAVEN, CT — The East Haven Town beach is reopening this weekend with certain restrictions in order to comply with Gov. Ned Lamont’s executive orders and recommended guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Mayor Joseph A. Carfora passed an emergency ordinance Friday limiting use of the beach and related facilities to residents of the Town.

For access to the beach, residents must show a current valid photo identification with their East Haven address to beach monitors at the beach entrance. The beach will be open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to p.m. and Friday through Sunday and on Memorial Day from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“We understand how important it is for people to enjoy our beautiful coastline, and this plan will ensure that people have access to the sand and water for use while still remaining safe,” Carfora said.

Beach monitors will also be assisting residents in finding an appropriate location to sit/lay on the beach and will be reminding residents to maintain safe social distancing. They will also be tracking the number of residents admitted, to be certain that the maximum capacity set by Town officials of 500 residents or less, as they may determine is warranted, is not exceeded.

Beach goers are expected to stay at least 6 feet apart from others not in their family/group when walking on the beach and related parking and facilities areas, and to wear a mask or cloth face covering over their mouth and nose if unable to maintain this safe social distance. When sitting or laying on the beach, the Town has adopted the DEEP’s recommended guideline that a 15-foot distance be maintained blanket-to-blanket to allow a 3 foot walkway between groups. Gatherings of more than 5 people are not allowed in compliance withLamont’s Executive Order 7N.

The splash pad and playgrounds will remain closed. Parties and gatherings of more than five people at the beach and grove pavilion areas are prohibited as are recreational pick-up games of any kind. The restrooms will be closed due to their size, but portable restrooms and handwashing stations will be available.

To review all the restrictions contained in the Ordinance, please go to the COVID-19 tab on the Town’s website at https://www.townofeasthavenct.org/