JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Hudson County’s Skyway Golf Course will reopen to golfers on Saturday morning following an Executive Order signed this afternoon by Governor Phil Murphy that permits county parks and golf courses to operate during the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition to the golf course, which is operated by the Hudson County Improvement Authority, county parks will also re-open on Saturday at sunrise for passive recreation only. Basketball, tennis and other activities that involve close contact are not permitted. Strict social distancing measures will be in place at both the golf course and county parks to ensure the safety of all Hudson County residents.

“In urban communities like Hudson County, our county parks often serve as the only green space accessible to many residents,” said Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise. “Today’s decision allowing us to reopen our county parks and golf courses serves as a glimmer of hope that we are making good progress in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing guidelines will be strictly enforced by the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office and we will be working with municipalities to ensure they have the proper resources necessary for Saturday’s reopening."

Skyway Golf Course will operate with the following regulations to stress the important of social distancing:

• Club rentals are suspended and only hand carts will be available
• No more than five golfers are permitted in the Club House at a time
• The facility will be professionally cleaned regularly
• Food service will be carry out only
• Flag sticks will be wiped down hourly, though golfers are encouraged to not remove flags
• Tee times will be spread out 15 minutes apart
• Plugs will be inserted to cups to ensure golfers do not have to reach into the hole to retrieve their ball
• Crowds will be strongly discouraged from gathering on the patio

“The reopening of our golf course will be conducted in a way that is both responsible and thoroughly planned out,” said Hudson County Improvement Authority CEO Norman Guerra. “We are proactively taking necessary steps to ensure that the health and safety of golfers and staff remain our top priority. Golfers should plan to adhere to the new measures put in place as we all continue to do our part to fight this global pandemic.”