Town of Hempstead rolls out 'concierge service' to help residents as beaches open Saturday

Posted

Hempstead officials Friday announced a new “Coronavirus Concierge Service team” to help keep patrons socially distanced and safe amid the pandemic while the town prepares to welcome hundreds of beachgoers this Memorial Day weekend.

The initiative was introduced at a news conference at Town Park at Point Lookout. Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin announced that the concierge team will help with parking guidance, directions to bathrooms and swimming locations and assistance with social distancing, among other responsibilities. The town will also give out hand sanitizers, gloves and face masks.

“We’re trying to put forth the steps to protect not only you but our co-workers here in the Town of Hempstead,” Clavin said.


Lifeguards will be on duty starting Saturday from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. daily at town beaches.

Protocols put in place to protect residents include:

  • Admission to all Town of Hempstead beaches is limited to residents of Nassau County. 
  • Parking access will be restricted to 50 percent of the lot, subject to lifeguard discretion.

  • All visitors must wear face coverings or masks. Masks must be worn when people arrive at the beach, move through the parking lot, walk down or up from the beachfront; when in the restroom are or any other public area. and 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, with their 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.

  • Blankets and chairs on the 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 also closed.

  • Only two people are allowed in each restroom at a time and 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.
  • Pamphlets with the information will be handed out to residents when they visit the beaches.

    The Town of Hempstead operates the Town Park at Point Lookout, Lido Beach Town Park, Lido West Town Park, Town Park at Sands and also provides lifeguards for Nickerson Beach, which is run by Nassau County.

    Town Councilman Christopher Carini, whose district covers Point Lookout and Lido Beach, praised Nassau County lawmakers for their decision to limit beaches to county residents.

    “One of the concerns of my residents, in my district, was the fifty percent capacity,” Carini said. “This will do a lot to alleviate the concerns of the residents here so that we could enjoy our beaches.”