Highland Lakes

The Club will open four beaches this weekend after final approvals were received from the Sussex County Division of Health (SCDH) on Friday, May 22. Following is the beach schedule for Saturday, May 23, Sunday, May 24, and Monday, May 25:

• Beach 1 at Lake 1: 11 am to 6 pm
• Beach 2 at Clubhouse: 12 pm to 5:30 pm
• Beach 3 at Lookover Lane: 11 am to 6 pm
• Beach 7 Upper Highland Lakes Drive: 12 pm to 5:30 pm

The delay of the beach opening announcement was caused by opening conditions imposed by executive order issued last week by Governor Murphy requiring SCDH to issue requirements and guidelines for compliance with the executive order before opening licenses were granted. SCDH’s guidelines were received Tuesday evening, May 19 and the development of the appropriate responses were completed on Thursday, May 20.

Please note the following:

• all SCHD conditions for reopening have been satisfied and the license was received Friday morning, May 22.
• social distancing at all beaches is required staying six feet apart whenever practicable, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.
• protective masks are strongly encouraged where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, but they aren’t required.
• the beachfront will be marked by cones every six feet to demonstrate appropriate spacing for social distancing.
• the required pre-opening water tests by Garden State Labs, conducted Wednesday, May 20, and received Thursday evening, May 21, met all standards.
• all swim floats are closed to enforce the required social distancing.
• the bathrooms at the Beach Hut will be open during beach hours only.
• portable bathrooms have been provided at Beaches 2, 3, and 7. Members should anticipate bringing hand sanitizer with them.
• concessions and the water fountain at the Beach Hut remain closed.
• courts at Beach 1 are open.
• all playgrounds remain closed.

Limitations on the number of daily guest badges that will be available at each beach, and the number of guest badges a member may purchase daily, will be announced shortly.

Jack McLaughlin
General Manager

Notice: The COVID-19 Pandemic Is Ongoing
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is an extremely contagious virus that spreads easily through person-to-person contact. Federal and state authorities recommend social distancing as a means to prevent the spread of the virus.

COVID-19 can lead to severe illness, personal injury, permanent disability, and death. Using the Club’s facilities or participating in its programs may increase the risk of contracting COVID-19 from others. Highland Lakes Country Club and Community Association in no way represents or warrants that COVID-19 infection will not occur through participation in our programs or accessing our facilities.

Studies have shown that many individuals infected with the Covid-19 virus experience no apparent symptoms (asymptomatic). For more information on this topic, the following is suggested reading from Johns Hopkins University:

https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/05/12/gigi-gronvall-asymptomatic-spread-covid-19-immunity-passports/

Please remember, we have a duty to each other to practice social distancing. We trust that members and their children will understand that the authorized gradual reopenings of outdoor facilities may result in closure if conditions of the Governor’s Order fail to be met.