Beach season has arrived, and Supervisor Don Clavin today announced the launching of the Town of Hempstead’s Coronavirus Concierge Service team. This new initiative is the first-of-its-kind in New York State, as it provides beachgoers with a team of employees dedicated to assisting them as they navigate a “new normal” at the beaches this summer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Joining Clavin at the announcement today at Town Park Point Lookout was Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, Councilman Christopher Carini, members of the Hempstead Town Lifeguard Squad and the new Coronavirus Concierge Service team.
Starting on Saturday, May 23rd, Town of Hempstead beaches will be open daily, with parking fees collected from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and lifeguards on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Beaches operated by the Town of Hempstead include Town Park Point Lookout, Lido Beach Town Park, Lido West Town Park, and Town Park at the Sands. Due to the Governor’s directives on public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, all beaches will be open with enhanced safety rules and regulations to protect the safety of visitors to the town’s beautiful shoreline gems.
“We’re thrilled to open our beaches for the season beginning this weekend, and are eager for people to enjoy them in a safe and responsible manner while conforming with social distancing guidelines and other restrictions required by the state,” Clavin said. “To help beachgoers adjust to the changes and new regulations in place for the 2020 season, we have launched a one-of-a-kind Coronavirus Concierge Service team to provide assistance to them at our beaches.”
Some of the services provided by the Concierge team include parking guidance, directions to rest rooms, beach areas and swimming locations, assistance with social distancing guidelines. What’s more, once the shipment of material arrives in the coming days, the Concierge team will have masks and gloves available to beachgoers who forget to bring them to the beach.
In addition to the team of employees dedicated to serving beachgoers during the 2020 season, Clavin also unveiled increased signage and a pamphlet that will be distributed to those who visit the beaches. The information contained in the pamphlet includes all safety guidelines that all beachgoers must follow to ensure the health and well-being of residents and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clavin also announced that the Town of Hempstead’s Lifeguard Squad, in tandem with the Town of Hempstead Emergency Medical Services Team, has been fully trained and prepared for the season with COVID-19 safety protocols. This includes daily symptom checks, social distancing protocols and the use of personal protection equipment when possible.
“The beaches are a special place for so many of our town residents, and we’re doing our part to protect their health and safety this summer,” D’Esposito said. “With the new Concierge team, along with the town’s award-winning lifeguards and our top-notch Emergency Medical Services squad, our residents should feel confident when they visit our beautiful beaches this summer.”
“We want our residents to be able to enjoy the pristine beaches that help make Hempstead Town such a special place to live,” Carini said. “By enhancing our staff and educating residents about the new safety regulations, we want to make sure our beaches are safe and remain open for the duration of the season.”
The regulations, which are subject to change based on the Governor’s directives or other public health factors, include:
- To facilitate proper social distancing, admission to all Town of Hempstead beaches shall be limited to residents of Nassau County only.
- In order to adhere to state capacity guidelines, parking lot access will be restricted to 50 percent, subject to lifeguard discretion.
- All visitors must wear face coverings or masks. Masks must be worn when you arrive at the beach; when moving through the parking lot; when walking down to the beachfront or up from the beachfront; when in the restroom are or any other public area; when approaching a lifeguard, town employee or another patron.
- Visitors may remove their masks when in the water or when stationary on a towel, blanket, chair, etc. with their household group.
- Depending upon beach and water conditions, lifeguards may restrict swimming up to 20-30 feet from the shoreline, or at most, 10 feet past the “Wave break.”
- Visitors must practice social distancing, maintaining a distance of six feet from other beachgoers.
- Adherence to social distancing and public health policies will be monitored and enforced.
- Blankets and chairs on beach must be 10 feet apart from other groups.
- In accordance with state guidelines, concession areas are closed.,
- Social gathering areas, including picnic areas, are closed.
- Only two people are allowed in each restroom at a time.
- Restrooms will be cleaned every half hour.
- Visitors are asked to carry their trash off of the beach.
- All group contact activities, including games or sports, are prohibited.
- All playgrounds will remain closed until further notice.
- Beach rules prohibiting dogs, smoking, vaping or use of drones remain in effect.
Visit hempsteadtownny.gov for the beach safety brochure and any updates regarding town beaches.
“This summer is truly going to be one that we have not experienced before,” Clavin said. “While will work our hardest to ensure that you have an enjoyable time at the beach, we must all join together as a team, both town staff and beachgoers, to keep our beaches open and safe for the entire summer season.”
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