Harrison Thorp 7:46 a.m.
Saturday, May 23, 2020 7:50 am

NO LOUNGING ALLOWED: Beachgoers will have to keep moving or face consequences. (Eagle Tribune photo)

CONCORD - New Hampshire's beaches will reopen on June 1, but they may not look like they used to.

The new guidelines for opening under the state's 2.0 Stay At Home Order allows beachgoers a plethora of lawful activities including walking, running, surfing, swimming ... but no sunbathing.

The date of the opening will be June 1, which will coincide with a new traffic pattern at Hampton Beach, with much of Ocean Boulevard closed to vehicular traffic and Ashworth Avenue transitioning to a two-way thoroughfare. The temporary traffic change will remain in effect through the Labor Day weekend.

"This allows Ocean Boulevard businesses to expand their open-air stands into the street and makes sure pedestrians aren't jammed on the sidewalks," Gov. Sununu said.

State parking lots near beaches will also limit access to 50 percent capacity, Sununu announced at a Friday press conference.

Sununu said his decision to not allow sunbathing was out of an abundance of caution and a foreseen lack of control keeping groups of people six feet apart.