The beaches of Wildwood and North Wildwood will close on Wednesday to help fight the spread of coronavirus.

In a joint statement released Monday afternoon by the city of Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron and North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello, the beaches in both towns would be closed beginning midnight Wednesday, April 8 through at least May 1.

Furthermore, Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera announced on Facebook the borough’s beaches and bike path were closed until further notice, and Avalon also announced its beaches and boardwalk would close.

I regret to inform you of this news. Our beach 🏖 and bike 🚲 path is now closed until further notice. Thank you for you cooperation and understanding. Posted by Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera on Monday, April 6, 2020

The mayors of Wildwood and North Wildwood also halted short-term rentals of 30 days or less through sites such as Airbnb with the exception of municipal, state, county, or federal agencies who require the use of a location. Employees of essential businesses would also be exempt from the ban.

The mayors added that while they are also closing the North Wildwood and Wildwood boardwalks and the North Wildwood Bike Path and Seawall, people will be permitted to walk, run, or bike on the North Wildwood locations before 8 a.m.

In Avalon, the town’s mayor said the town has to make tough decisions to stress that social distancing and stay-at-home orders are necessary to get through the pandemic. The town is also stopping short-term rentals.

“There will be a time when properties can be rented, and visited freely, but that time is not now. I’m asking every property owner and rental platform to strictly adhere to these painful but necessary executive orders and directives as health and safety are our only priorities at this time," Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi said in a statement released on the borough’s website.

The move follows what many other shore towns are currently doing to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Cape May has banned short-term rentals and closed its beaches and its Promenade. Ocean City has also banned short-term rentals, along with Seaside Heights, Sea Isle City, and Asbury Park.

Tell us your coronavirus stories, whether it’s a news tip, a topic you want us to cover, or a personal story you want to share. If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, subscribe to our Coronavirus in N.J. newsletter.

Sign up for text message alerts from NJ.com on coronavirus in New Jersey:





If you would like updates on New Jersey-specific coronavirus news, subscribe to our Coronavirus in N.J. newsletter.

Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews or on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.