SWAMPSCOTT — Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday the “surge” in COVID-19 cases “is behind us.” The announcement came on a sunny day just over a week after the governor announced the state’s “reopening” plan, including allowing beaches to be opened to extent.
And Swampscott, known in part for its beaches, has additional rules for beach-goers in order to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The main rules are as follows: No groups of more than 10 people are allowed; Face masks are required while entering and leaving the beach; Visitors are required to maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet both on land and in the water; Visitors should maintain a social distance of at least 12 feet at toweling/beach blanket areas.
“We’re working with the state, and the state has provided this guidance. We’re just really implementing it in a way that works for Swampscott,” said Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald. “We don’t want to see any beach groups greater than 10 people, no beach games, take your trash with you when you leave, and no beach fires.”
“I think it’s a welcome opportunity for us to get back to a resource that I think is in everybody’s DNA in Swampscott, and that’s just going down to the beaches and having a beautiful time there,” he said.
Swampscott’s COVID-19 regulations have at times been stricter than the state’s, including requiring businesses to submit a safety plan to the town for approval prior to reopening — the state only requires a safety plan to be posted, not submitted for approval.
With the beach regulations, Select Board Chairman Peter Spellios said Swampscott’s rules are “consistent with state guidance” and focus on keeping residents safe while they enjoy the town’s beaches.
“We really want to be in line with the state guidelines,” said Fitzgerald.
“We want people to be safe. We don’t want to see any groups greater than 10 people. We want to see families that are together and really practicing that safe distancing.”
Fitzgerald said the town’s regulations including wearing face masks when entering and leaving the beach are designed to keep people safe.
“If you can’t maintain that 6-foot buffer between you and somebody else, you should have a mask on,” Fitzegerald said. “These are practices that are going to keep people safe.”
Fitzgerald said the goal is to get back to “the fun we all enjoy” — playing beach games and standing in groups while in the water — but, right now, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitates stricter rules.
“We all love beach games, but right now they are just not allowed,” Fitzegerald said. “We are in the middle of a pandemic.”
Other rules from Swampscott include a prohibition on beach fires, and lifeguards will have a 12-feet “buffer” zone between themselves and visitors. There will be no trash receptacles at the beaches, with a strict “carry-in, carry-out” rule in place.
Beach parking will also be limited compared to usual circumstances as a way to keep a reasonable capacity at the beaches, and the town’s police department may enforce its COVID-19 regulations, Fitzegerald said. According to Spellios, lifeguards are not charged with enforcing social distancing, and are tasked with calling the police, who are acting “as an extension of the Board of Health,” to enforce the policies.
“Folks need to feel confident that we’re going to enforce standards that keep them safe,” Fitzgerald said.
Town staff will also delineate walking paths at least 12 feet wide along all beaches. Restrooms will only be available if the town’s Health Department is satisfied they are being cleaned and sanitized on a daily basis and have proper hand-washing stations.
Fitzgerald said he has seen reports about other beaches across the country that have opened during the COVID-19 pandemic, only to close again because people weren’t following proper regulations, and he hopes Swampscott’s beaches can remain open with people respecting the rules.
