A trip to the beach is looking sunnier as the CDC says “fully vaccinated Americans can go without masks outdoors, except in crowded settings. There are still risks and everyone should be informed and take precautions when it comes to large gatherings, close spaces and high touch areas. If you do decide to hit the road, pack your beach etiquette in your sand pail along with your hat and sunscreen.
According to an article in the New York Times, Dr. Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security stated “outdoor settings, like beaches, are less likely to spread the virus than indoor settings“. However, lower risk does not mean no risk.
Research the Local Rules and Regulations
Do your research, accessing your city or municipalities’ particular rules and restrictions. This summer will not be the same as other years. There will be significant adjustments in place to help keep everyone safe and healthy. Everything from public restrooms to concession stands will be impacted. It’s best to know in advance what to expect before you arrive at the beach. Be aware of updated beach hours, parking areas and retail closures. Some beaches will remain closed while others will open during particular hours.
Make Good Choices
Just because a beach (river or other public space) is open, doesn’t mean it’s free game for large crowds and people blatantly breaking the rules. Beach etiquette is important. Before laying down your beach towel, look for less populated locations where you can maintain a safe social distance. Limit the number of people in your party and wear a mask when you are around other people in restaurants, parking lots and public facilities. Minimize your risk by keeping your gatherings to a small number of people within your own family and avoid sharing food, utensils and supplies.
Recently, while visiting a river and national park, a very nice couple offered to share their abundance of barbecue ribs with my family. It was an awkward situation to decline a gracious offer, but “Thank you so much, it looks delicious but we have plenty of our own food to devour this afternoon” was received with grace. They were simply being polite as we had started a friendly conversation and they were showing neighborly goodwill. People are often very generous and their extension of kindness was very sweet.
Play With Your Own Water Toys
While it might be tempting to participate in a rousing game of sand volleyball, or share a frisbee with a beach neighbor, refrain from sharing any equipment outside of your own group. Before setting up and after you break down for the day, thoroughly clean your beach equipment with a disinfectant. Wipe down kayaks, tubes, tents, tables, chairs and anything else used by yourself and others.
Use the Restroom with Caution
You can’t avoid it, but do keep in mind that public restrooms are high traffic, high touch areas. It can be a breeding ground for transmitting germs of all kinds. Bring plenty of your own paper products and disinfectant so you can sanitize properly after using a public facility.
Do Not Drop Your Guard
Although it might be easy to feel lulled back into a false sense of security because you either have the vaccine or feel like we have turned a major corner, we are not there yet. Make a pact with your friends and family to continue to practice safe habits, which include proper beach etiquette and keep each other accountable. When everyone is doing their part, the chance of a great beach experience is a short drive or flight away.
A trip to the beach can be good for your mental health, as well as your physical health. However, continue to follow the CDC guidelines and do your part to contain the virus.
For more information check out The Protocol School of Texas. You may also like Summer Pet Safety Etiquette. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.
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