The Maryland resort town of Ocean City is set to open its beaches and boardwalk just as it has recorded its first nine coronavirus cases.
Mayor Rick Meehan says the action doesn't violate Gov. Larry Hogan's stay-at-home order, in effect until May 15, even though the town is doing little to discourage out-of-town visitors from showing up, The Baltimore Sun reports.
"There will be no police officers patrolling for license plates," Meehan said. "That’s not going to be the case here in Ocean City."
"We want to reiterate that everyone in Maryland needs to be following all Executive Orders from Governor Larry Hogan, including social distancing, wearing masks in retail establishments and on public transportation, avoiding crowds and avoiding non-essential travel,” Worcester County Health Department spokesman Travis Brown told the paper, but declined to say if his agency supported the action.
The city council passed a resolution on Monday allowing for the beaches and public spaces to open after some council members were concerned about economic damage to businesses faced by the shutdown.
Still, most businesses along the boardwalk will not be open except for those offering takeout food.
City Council Secretary Mary Knight told Sun that Ocean City "wanted to take this baby step to give people hope and allow them to see that there is light at the end of tunnel."
© 2023 Newsmax. All rights reserved.