‘I pay taxes so I want to walk the boardwalk.’ Shore residents defy coronavirus ban.

Ocean City Boardwalk closed

People enjoy a sunny day on the Ocean City Boardwalk the day after the city announced it was closed due to the coronavirus scare, Thursday, March 26, 2020.Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Residents and visitors decided to make their way to Ocean City beaches and the boardwalk Thursday, even after warnings from officials telling them to stay away to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The boardwalk and beaches were shut down Wednesday after Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian utilized a state administrative order allowing Shore towns to place restrictions on those locations.

Despite the decree to stay away from the area, several people were still out on the boardwalk, biking, jogging, and strolling along during the sun-drenched Thursday afternoon. People were also on the beach, including one family with children playing in the sand.

At 2:18 p.m., a message came across the loudspeakers asking everyone to leave.

“The beach and the boardwalk are closed to the public until further notice,” the voice spoke through the speakers. “Please exit at the nearest ramp. Thank you for your understanding during this public health crisis.”

Ocean City Boardwalk closed

A bicyclist rides up the ramp to the Ocean City Boardwalk, past a vacant police car, the day after the city announced it was closed due to the coronavirus scare, Thursday, March 26, 2020.Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Some refused to comply.

Ocean City resident Ed Steinberg told NJ Advance Media that someone had told him that the boardwalk was closed, but the city was not enforcing the measure. Steinberg said he takes the virus very seriously, and if a patrolman came and told him to get off the boardwalk, he would.

“If they told me to get off, I would get off,” Steinberg said while shrugging his shoulders. “It is a beautiful day. If they are going to close the boardwalk, then let them close Acme, Shop Rite, and every other thing.”

Fellow Ocean City resident Victoria Kesen said she did not know about the boardwalk closure. While walking with her dog Sky, Kesen questioned the measure.

“I pay taxes, so I want to walk the boardwalk,” Kesen said. “Where do my taxes go?”

Visiting from nearby Somers Point, Lee lapetina was walking off the beach. An Ocean City beach regular, Iapetina said the boardwalk and other open-air places should not be closed because of the fresh air.

“Nobody is coming here in droves,” Iapetina said. “Lots of people were on the Ninth Street Bridge today, and they were not six-feet apart.”

Ocean City Boardwalk closed

A woman walks past the Fudge Kitchen, which is closed, on the Ocean City Boardwalk the day after the city announced it was closed due to the coronavirus scare, Thursday, March 26, 2020.Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Officials have reiterated that the closures are meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus, which as of Thursday in New Jersey had infected 6,876 people, resulting in 81 fatalities.

Ocean City spokesman Doug Bergen said city officials are discussing ways to discourage people from heading to the beach and how to enforce the ban, especially with warmer weather potentially bringing bigger crowds to Shore towns.

“The key message is that, during this public health crisis, Ocean City will not be open for business as usual,” said Bergen.

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