Town beaches in Wareham will officially be reopening on Saturday, May 23, but there will still be some limitations and guidelines set in place to keep people safe during the coronavirus pandemic. 

During the Board of Selectmen meeting on Tuesday, May 19, Town Administrator Derek Sullivan said that there will still be some restrictions in place. For example “if you can not socially distance at the beach, you still have to have a mask on.” 

Social distancing measures will also be a bit stricter for people who want to relax and lounge on the beach. Sullivan said that visitors who set up a towel or blanket rest area should set up at least twelve feet away from others.

Sullivan added that “a big thing is that we do not have the bathroom facilities open yet” at any of the town beaches. 

In an email to the Board of Selectmen, Sullivan wrote that the town has ordered portable bathrooms with handsanitizer, which should likely be delivered by next week. 

There will be no lifeguards at the beaches, so visitors will swim at their own risk. 

Fires, tents, grills, canopies, and alcohol will not be allowed at the beaches.

In Sullivan’s letter to the board, he wrote that “the goal [of reopening beaches with these restrictions] is to open up this great amenity while keeping people as safe as possible.”