Beaches are now open to everyone in Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Township and Ship Bottom, ending the temporary and controversial system of allowing only property owners and residents in those towns to access the oceanfront sands during the pandemic.

“As of right now,” Long Beach Township Mayor Joseph Mancini said Monday afternoon, “we’ve been ordered to open the beaches” by Gov. Phil Murphy. “So, you don’t need the placards. … By his order, we have to open up.”