Today, Cape May – Lewes Ferry officials will implement pro-active social distancing measures at the terminal and on-board the ferry vessels. Effective Wednesday, March 18 with the 7:00A departure from Cape May, boarding operations will be restricted to vehicles and their occupants only. All foot passenger travel is suspended.
“We are taking proactive steps to protect the health and well-being of our passengers and crew,” said Heath Gehrke, Director of Ferry Operations. “More than a week ago, we started enhanced cleaning measures, installed hand sanitizing stations on-board the Ferry and inside the Terminals and made Clorox wipes available to our passengers to further sanitize their seating area. We’re committed to doing what we can to stem the tide of coronavirus.”
In addition to the new boarding procedure, the Ferry has discontinued all foodservice operations inside the ferry terminals and on board the vessel. Restrooms will be open in the terminal prior to departures and restrooms are available on the vessels. Passengers who may have accessibility concerns aboard the vessel are asked to use facilitates inside the terminal prior to departure.
During the trip, passengers are urged to remain inside their vehicles for the duration of the crossing. Should a passenger need to use the restroom facility, please take the stairs to the second deck where they’re located. Following use, we ask that passengers return to their vehicle. In the unlikely event of an emergency, Ferry crew members will come to the car deck to assist customers.
“While the immediate risk of being exposed to the COVID-19 virus is low in our area, we want to be preemptive in our actions,” Gehrke added. “We want to thank our customers in advance for their cooperation with our effort to implement social distancing.”
“At the same time, our crews remain dedicated to providing critical transportation services, and feel this can continue to be done safely. We know this is a time when families are trying to get to elderly relatives, bring adult and younger children home from far-away schools and jobs, or just get themselves home. Please stay safe and help us do what we can to keep our crews safe as well. We are all in this together.”