Residents Back Mayor Who Tells Tourists Stay Away From Our Tourist Town

Residents Back Mayor Who Tells Tourists Stay Away From Our Tourist Town

Colonial Beach News

Despite Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia stating that his stay-at-home order did not include restricting fishing or walking on public beaches, Mayor Eddie Blunt of Colonial Beach, the second largest beach in the state, has issued his own directive telling residents to stay off the beach and boardwalk and telling vacation homeowners and visitors not to come to town.

On Friday March 27 the town sent out the following message through their code Red Alert system;

This is an important message from Mayor Eddie Blunt

As you know, we continue to deal with the very serious issue of COVID 19, also known as the Corona Virus.

On Sunday, March 15th the Town of Colonial Beach declared a Local State of Emergency and we are currently still operating under our Emergency Declaration and that of the State and Federal Emergency declarations.

We ask that each individual place of business, churches, private clubs, schools, and other local meeting groups continue to adhere to this request.

The Police Department, along with the Department of Health will continue monitoring this as well.

We will continue to try to stay in front of the changes to this Virus and the effect it is having on the community.

One change that we will implement is: we will be enforcing our current Curfew. This Curfew states that minors cannot be on the streets or in public places between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a legal guardian.

With the schools closed for the rest of the school year, we feel this is the best approach for now. A copy of the curfew will be provided on the Town’s website so everyone can better understand it.

Town offices will remain closed to the public. Trash pickup will continue. Bills can still be paid online or by regular mail. You can also wait until our offices re-open and you will not be charged a late penalty.

This Virus is going to be around for a while and we are all going to have to continue to make changes to our daily lives. I ask that everyone continue to help by following the instructions of social distancing, hand washing, and not going out if you are sick.

Also, now is a great time to sit down with our children and talk about the Virus. This is new for them and harder for them to understand. Make sure they know how much they can help by participating in the social distancing and the other recommended and required guidelines.

Please take this very seriously so we can all enjoy the wonderful summer months that are ahead.

Thank you and stay safe.

Over the weekend a few residents took to social media complaining that the beaches were too crowded and that residents were being exposed to people coming from other parts of the country that had been identified as “hot spots” by the presidents Corona Virus task force.

Pictures posted on social media showed cars in close proximity but we could not find any pictures of people who were gathered in large groups.

After some complaints were posted and the Governor of Virginia issues his stay at home directive the town’s mayor sent out a new message on March 30 telling residents, “we will now be closing our public beaches and playgrounds to all recreational activities effective midnight tonight.”

The mayor also said, “Stay off of our beaches and playgrounds, don’t invite friends to visit and spend the weekend, don’t exercise in large groups.”

Mayor Blunt admitted his restrictions differed from that of the governors but he felt it was for the good of the community. In his message he wrote, “I know the Governor suggested another strategy but, we feel this will help our community recover more quickly.”

Furthermore Blunt addressed part-time residents saying, “Unless you have an emergency, please do not come to the Town of Colonial Beach Va. to visit your second home, or your boat, or other. Stay in your primary place of residence.

Surprisingly many of the residents agreed with the mayor’s decision and took to social media to defend the Mayor’s actions, making remarks such as “I support the Town and the Mayor Blunt along with Council it will save the lives of our elderly and maybe ours.”

One poster asked, “I dont get why you cant take a walk on the beach …..or fish in an outtaway spot?” Her questions was met with the following response, “The Mayor is protecting his people of the Town and I think he made the right move.”

In back and forth discussions another resident posted, “I say let’s all just suck it up for the time being instead of pushing it….before long summer will have come and gone and the longer we dont go along with this the less and less summer were going to have….”

Comments were posted such as, “Way to go Mr. Mayor” and “Have PD block off anyone from coming to town. People in town need to stay home. If they do leave, they can’t return until this is over. SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE.”

The town’s leading gossip group has almost 6000 followers and the majority of posts are in favor of keeping visitors away.

For now from an outside point of view it would seem that visitors are not welcome in the town of Colonial Beach while the Covid19 Pandemic is going around.

Here is the full text of the second message sent through Code-Red:

On March 30 the town sent out a new message from the Mayor adding new restrictions to the citizens of Colonial Beach and warning visitors to stay away.

This is an important message from Mayor Eddie Blunt

As you know we continue to deal with the very serious issue of Covid 19, also known as the Corona Virus.

On Sunday March 15th the town of Colonial Beach declared a State of Emergency, we are still operating under that State of emergency, as well as State and Federal declarations.

We ask that each individual place of business, our Churches, private clubs, schools, and other local meeting groups continue to adhere to the requested guidelines.

The police department, along with the Department of Health will continue monitoring this as well.
We will continue to try to stay in front of the changes to this Virus and the effect it is having on the community.

Along with the curfew on minors that was imposed last week, we will now be closing our public beaches and playgrounds to all recreational activities effective midnight tonight. I know the Governor suggested another strategy but, we feel this will help our community recover more quickly.
Unless you have an emergency, please do not come to the Town of Colonial Beach Va. to visit your second home, or your boat, or other. Stay in your primary place of residence.

The Town offices will remain closed to the public, trash pickup will continue. Bills can be paid online, or by regular mail. You can also wait until our offices re-open, and you will not be charged a late penalty.

This Virus is going to be around for what will seem like a lifetime to many of us. The next few weeks are going to look really bad as more people are tested and the infection numbers continue to go up. We are all going to have to continue to make changes to our daily lives.

I ask that everyone continue to help by following the instructions of social distancing, hand washing, and not going out if you are sick. Stay off of our beaches and playgrounds, don’t invite friends to visit and spend the weekend, don’t exercise in large groups.

Please take this very seriously, so we can all enjoy the wonderful summer months that are ahead.