Coronavirus in NJ: Gov. Murphy tells people not to relocate to their Shore summer homes

Gov. Phil Murphy told second homeowners on Saturday not to ride out the coronavirus pandemic at their summer houses on the Jersey Shore.

“I urge those who have homes at the Jersey Shore to NOT go to them at this time,” Murphy tweeted on Saturday. “The local infrastructure, especially the health care infrastructure, is not prepared for the influx of part-time residents. Please stay at your primary residences.”

Authorities in both Long Beach Township and Ship Bottom on Friday warned those who do not live full-time on Long Beach Island to not relocate to the Shore during the present crisis.

Local authorities have seen a sharp increase in the number of part-time residents and visitors over the past week, alarming emergency management officials and ordinary locals alike.

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“As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves we expect the governor to impose further restrictions on travel and services,” wrote Long Beach Township Commissioner Joseph Lattanzi, who is also a physician and a past president of Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford. “Many individuals are taking this opportunity to spend this time in the Long Beach Island area. We are strongly recommending that you remain in your primary service area and DO NOT relocate to the shore area.”

Lattanzi wrote that the region’s local health care system and other emergency services are not equipped to handle “a mass influx of demand, which will likely overwhelm the system. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.”

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Ship Bottom Mayor William Huelsenbeck and Councilman Joseph Valyo, who is coordinator of the municipal Office of Emergency Management, issued a similar warning to out-of-towners.

“Our first responders and our critical health care providers may not be equipped to handle this massive influx,” the borough officials said. “What may seem like a flight to safety could put you and your loved ones in a dangerous situation where your primary health care providers are many miles away.”

Ocean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy said the same situation was happening on Ocean County’s northern barrier island too.

Erik Larsen: 732-682-9359 or elarsen@gannettnj.com