OBA Coronavirus Update

Another week has passed, and NY Pause is still in effect through May 15. Downstate New York continues to be the epicenter of the Covid 19 outbreak including NYC, Suffolk and Nassau. Suffolk County has experienced significant growth in the number of cases and deaths in recent weeks. 

Your elected officials and community leaders from Ocean Beach and across Fire Island are continuing to work together and closely with Suffolk County, FINS, our emergency response team and others to address the current situation and begin to strategize the future.

Governor Cuomo is focused on “Reimagine New York” as we begin to explore the next phase or the “new normal” and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has established a Summer/Beaches Planning Workgroup to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach for all communities Ocean Beach is fortunate to be represented on this committee by Mayor Mallott, as well as other representatives from Fire Island, Islip and Suffolk including Angie Carpenter, Islip Town Supervisor and Ocean Beach resident, Mayor Zaccaro of Saltaire, Suzy Goldhirsch of FIA and Vern Henrickson, Fire Island Emergency Services Coordinator.

Our message has not changed: We can not tell you not to go to your home on Fire Island at this time, but we strongly urge you to stay at your primary residence off the island. If you do plan to travel to Fire Island, please be sure you have self isolated for 14 days prior to your trip, and then plan to self isolate for another 14 days once on island.

We do have new information to share about our current situation and what the future may hold. Please understand that our situation is very fluid, with little known at this time about what will happen on or around May 15. Much of the future will be determined by Governor Cuomo.

Beaches:

As per NY state executive order: Beaches are currently open for “passive use” which means no swimming and no public restrooms.

Medical Advisory Committee:

A committee is being formed to evaluate what medical services may be available this summer and how protocol will be impacted by Covid 19. If you are a senior, or have an underlying medical condition, please seriously consider if Fire Island will be the best place for you. Northwell Clinics are currently planned to open Memorial Day weekend, however, based on the situation on the mainland, doctors may NOT be available to man these offices. We will see. Other doctor offices are also being re-evaluated.

Fire Island National Seashore:

Plans to have essential workers begin mid-May and seasonal workers at a later date. FINS is currently planning lifeguard services to begin July 4th weekend. This is obviously subject to change.

Fire Island Ferries:

The modified schedule for Ocean Beach remains in place with a very limited schedule. Ocean Beach can expect a new schedule in the next two weeks. Service to Seaview/Kismet/Dunewood will begin either the first or second weekend in May.

Effective last Friday, April 17th, all ferry riders are required to wear a face mask or mouth and nose covering. Masks will not be provided and those not wearing face coverings will NOT be allowed to board.

Freight on the passenger boats is a major concern and passenger baggage will be curtailed. The new policy will require that your baggage must fit under your seat. Additional benches are being added to the freight area to allow for social distancing. FIF will have an announcement out prior to Memorial Day weekend. Additional freight boats may be necessary for passenger freight.

Social distancing is our responsibility. Maintain distance while waiting to board and unboarding, while on the ferry and choose your seat wisely. Water Taxis are available for hire.

Freight:

Please maintain social distancing while picking up freight. Contact Fire Island Ferries directly to confirm freight hours.

Marina:

Mayor Mallott provided this guidance: Transient marina is not open at this time.

Homeowners marina is open to permit holders only.

Municipal marinas, according to Suffolk County Executive Bellone, are under the authority of the individual municipalities.

Store and Restaurant Update:

Seaview Market continues to be open and is filling orders and delivering via Water Taxi to the western communities. Mermaid Market/Dockside is also open to fill orders. CJs and Castaway are open weekends only for takeout. Scoops is now offering 8 flavors of ice cream for takeout from Castaway. Island Mermaid/Dockside will open this weekend with takeout/delivery.  At this time, the mainland supermarkets are not consistently delivering to Fire Island.

Construction:

Construction is now limited to one worker per jobsite. Village infrastructure and safety or hazard mitigation work may be allowed to have additional workers with prior approval.

FIMI:

The FIMI project is considered “essential”, so once the barges return to OBP and POW, this work is expected to begin again.

The Fire Island School is closed as per the Governor’s order. The Ocean Beach Village Office remains closed with employees working remotely as per the Governor’s order. The Post Office is open. Social distancing is required and wearing face coverings when in public is also required as per the Governor’s order.

We wish you all the very best,

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home!

The Board of the Ocean Beach Association