Citing health risks posed by people not following social distancing guidelines, Ocean Shores Mayor Crystal Dingler has extended the city’s COVID-19-related closures of hotels, nightly rentals and other “non-essential” businesses through May 18.

In an executive order signed by Dingler Friday, she said the social distancing guidance “is not being followed by many state citizens,” and said, “potential visitors and non-resident property owners traveling to Ocean Shores to occupy their secondary residence or RV lots at this time could increase the likelihood of transmission of COVID-19.”

The order extends the provisions of her previous order through May 18. Commercial lodging establishments are ordered to remain closed, and visitors and non-resident property owners are prohibited from leaving their home or place of residence “except to conduct or participate in essential activities and/or business services.”

Remaining in affect are the closure of dining areas, with restaurants allowed to serve food only via takeout and delivery. The Ocean Shores Convention Center and Visitor Information Center will remain closed.

“As a small rural community, the city has limited essential resources,” read the order. “A COVID-19 outbreak would strain those resources as well as having devastating results on its largely older population.” The order said “avoiding contact with infected individuals is vital to contain any contagious health-related crisis such as COVID-19,” and “the potential impact to our community of the COVID-19 healthcare crisis is severe.”