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Author: City of Linden

Food Distribution Event – September 19, 10am

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Village Super Market of Springfield Township, New Jersey are providing this drive through only food distribution event to all Union County residents affected by COVID-19 on September 19, 10am.

Location

Cedar Brook Park – Park Avenue Entrance – Plainfield, NJ 07067

Event Details

  • First 2,000 vehicles will receive shelf-safe food and fresh produce on a first come, first served basis
  • One food distribution per vehicle, while supplies last
  • Please make sure to clear out the vehicle’s trunk prior to arrival to make room for food bags
  • Bring one (1) proof of NJ residency, such as a utility bill, driver’s license, ID card, etc.
  • Event will take place rain or shine

Click here to view and/or download the event flyer in English and Spanish. With any questions, or for more information, please email the DHS Action Line or call them at 908 558 2288.

Union County CARES Safe Learning Setting Grant (SLSG) Program

On behalf of Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, attached please find the flyer announcement regarding the Union County CARES Safe Learning Setting Grant (SLSG) program. Please click here to view the flyer in English and Spanish.

Households that may qualify for the program include working parent(s), and child(ren) school age (5-13) who are eligible for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program and are enrolled in a Union County public school. If you have any questions, please send an email by clicking here.

What do Schools do if Students or Teachers Test Positive?

The state Health Department has issued schools 19 pages of advice on what to do if someone tests positive for COVID-19. The guidelines include charts explaining when schools should shut down classrooms or entire school buildings, with several matrices to help schools decide if and when they should ask students to quarantine or shut down school buildings if someone tests positive for COVID-19.

Closure

The COVID-19 Regional Risk Matrix on page 3, (see below for link to entire document) is one tool that can inform the decision-making process for school districts when considering when remote learning might be indicated. Local circumstances should be considered when making decisions impacting specific school districts and schools. Many factors would need to be considered when deciding to close schools such as the distribution of cases within the school.

Closure is a local decision that should be made by school administrators in consultation with local public health. While it is not possible to account for every scenario that schools may encounter over the course of the school year, the following scenarios may help inform the decision for when schools should temporarily close.

The following chart is found on page 15 (see below for link to entire document).

To read all the COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Local Health Departments for K-12 Schools from the NJ Department of Health, click here.

Indoor Dining Reopens Today at 25% Capacity

The 25% capacity limit is not the only rule for indoor dining. Under the Department of Health’s Health and Safety Standards, food or beverage establishments offering in-person service must adhere to the following protocols, among others:

  • Limit the number of patrons in indoor areas to 25 percent of the food or beverage establishment’s indoor capacity, excluding the food or beverage establishment’s employees;
  • Limit seating to a maximum of eight (8) customers per table (unless they are from a family from the same household) and arrange seating to achieve a minimum distance of six feet (6 ft) between parties;
  • Require customers to only consume food or beverages while seated;
  • Require patrons to wear face coverings while inside the indoor premises of the food or beverage establishment, except when eating or drinking at their table;
  • Food or beverage establishments with table service must require that customers be seated in order to place orders;
  • Food or beverage establishments with table service must require that wait staff bring food or beverages to seated customers; and
  • Keep doors and windows open where possible and utilize fans to improve ventilation.  

To see Governor Murphy’s press release regarding reopening indoor dining, click here.

Low Interest Loans for Small Businesses

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority announced Tuesday that it will be able to expand its Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program by $10 million, thanks to a grant received from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s CARES Act appropriation. The money will allow the New Jersey EDA to create Phase 2 of its loan program, and will offer up to $100,000 in low-cost financing to eligible New Jersey small businesses and nonprofits to help with recovery and reopening efforts as a result of COVID-19.

Governor Murphy Announces Financial Assistance to Protect Residential and Commercial Utility Customers

Utility Shutoff Moratorium Extended to October 15th 

Governor Phil Murphy today announced that the State’s public water, gas, and electric utility companies regulated by BPU have all agreed to extend their voluntary moratorium preventing shutoffs to both residential and commercial customers during the COVID-19 pandemic until October 15th. Additionally, the utilities will offer residential and commercial customers a flexible and extended Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) of at least 12 months and up to 24 months. No down payments will be required for this assistance. 

NJBPU reminds and encourages all utility customers and ratepayers who have questions about their service to first contact their utility. A list of public gas and electricity utility company phone numbers is available here. If a ratepayer is unable to resolve an issue with their utility company, residents should contact NJBPU’s Customer Assistance team by filling out this online form, or by calling (800) 624-0241 and leaving a voicemail. 

Click here for the full press release.

Notice RE New Job Opportunities with the City of Linden

Please be advised that there are new job opportunities with the City of Linden. There are vacancies for two full-time Clerk 1 positions at the Police Department, one part-time Code Enforcement Officer Trainee with the Construction Code Department, and one Public Information Assistant with the Parks & Recreation Department. Please click here to view all vacancies, job requirements, official notices, job descriptions and job applications.

Indoor Dining, Movies and Indoor Concerts are Back Starting This Friday

Governor Murphy took big steps toward the continued reopening of New Jersey, announcing yesterday that indoor dining can resume Friday and that movie theaters and indoor music venues can reopen on Friday.

Indoor Dining

Indoor dining can resume Friday at 6am Capacity indoors is capped at 25%. Tables must be 6 feet apart. Masks must be worn by staff at all times. Patrons must wear masks when away from tables. No mingling at the bar. No tables larger than 8 except immediate families. No buffets or salad bars. Also, restaurant must use fresh air, meaning that windows must be opened to ensure a proper flow of fresh air into the dining areas. Additionally, air conditioner units must be set so that they allow the maximum amount of outdoor air to flow through the dining area, and the least amount of recirculated air.

Could indoor dining in NJ be banned again? “Sadly, I have to say yes,” if COVID boomerangs. Governor Murphy said. He said officials would respond to “a sustained increase” in metrics like the rate of transmission, new positive cases and new hospitalizations.

Movie Theatres

Movie theaters can reopen Friday with attendance capped at the lesser of either 25% capacity or 150. Masks must be worn unless eating or drinking. Families and groups that purchase tickets together can sit together. Others must remain 6 feet apart.

Indoor Music Venues

Indoor music venues can reopen Friday with attendance capped at the lesser of either 25% capacity or 150. Patrons and staff must wear masks and social distance. Venues can serve food and drinks to seated customers. No standing-room or general admission shows allowed.

Get Counted

New Jersey residents can respond to the 2020 Census to ensure the state gets its fair share of federal funding. The Census provides valuable data for businesses, including population trends, growth projections and demographic information. Spread the word! Deadline to respond to the Census is September 30.