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Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Allowing Personal Care Service Facilities to Open Effective June 22

Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 154, allowing personal care service facilities to reopen to the public on Monday, June 22 at 6:00 a.m., provided the facilities comply with standards issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs and Department of Health.  

“We’re able to confidently announce this important step in our restart and recovery because the health metrics tell us we can,” said Governor Murphy. “With the proper health and safety protocols in place, personal care business owners who are anxious get back to serving their customers and communities will have the opportunity to do so.” 

  1. Under the Governor’s Executive Order, personal care service facilities include:  
  2. Cosmetology shops;
  3. Barber shops;
  4. Beauty salons;
  5. Hair braiding shops;
  6. Nail salons;
  7. Electrology facilities;
  8. Spas, including day spas and medical spas, at which solely elective and cosmetic medical procedures are performed;
  9. Massage parlors;
  10. Tanning salons; and
  11. Tattoo parlors.  

The Division of Consumer Affairs today issued an Administrative Order that includes comprehensive health and safety standards that personal care services who are licensees of the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling and the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy must abide by. Safeguards include:  

  1. Limiting services to appointment-only;
  2. Performing health screening, including temperature checks, on clients and staff prior to entry to the facility;
  3. Requiring use of personal protective equipment, and requiring clients to wear face coverings at all times, regardless of the service they are receiving, unless face down on a massage table or where doing so would inhibit an individual’s health;
  4. Ensuring that all staff-client pairs maintain at least six feet distance between other staff-client pairs, unless separated by physical barriers;
  5. Adopting enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices; and
  6. Staying informed about new developments and guidance related to COVID-19. 

The Order further directs the Commissioner of the DOH to issue health and safety standards for use by tattoo parlors, tanning salons and other locations in which personal care services are offered by individuals  who are not acting within the scope of a license issued by a professional board within the Division of Consumer Affairs. 

Nothing in the Order shall prevent the provision of services to a person that is confined to their home and unable to travel due to a disability, if these services 1) are permitted under existing statutes and regulations and 2) are provided in a manner that substantially complies with standards issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs and DOH.  DOH issued an Executive Directive today that includes comprehensive health and safety standards for these locations.

Cosmetology schools or other places that provide instruction and training for personal care services shall remain closed at this time.

Documentation

  • For a copy of Executive Order No. 154, please click here.
  • For a copy of the Division of Consumer Affairs’ Administrative Order, please click here.
  • For a copy of the Department of Health’s Executive Directive, please click here.
  • To view the original press release on nj.gov, please click here.

Portugal’s National Day 2020

Today, the City of Linden proudly recognizes Portugal’s National Day, or as it is known by the nation’s locals: Dia de Camões, de Portugal e das Comunidades Portuguesas (“Day of Camões, Portugal, and the Portuguese Communities”). 

June 10th commemorates the emblematic Portuguese author Luís de Camões, writer of the national epic poem published in 1572, Os Lusíadas. Dedicated to the 16th-century King Sebastian, Os Lusíadas lionized Portugal’s era of world exploration through its description of the seafaring trade route found to provide passage to India by navigator Vasco da Gama. Camões’ writing made him into such an indelible symbol of national pride, even the Portuguese language itself is sometimes referred to by its nickname: “The Language of Camões.” 

Along with Camões poem, the pride of Portuguese exploration is also forever encapsulated in the country’s red and green flag. At the intersection of the two colors lies the Portuguese coat of arms sitting on the background of a spherical astrolabe, a tool utilized by early explorers such as Vasco da Gama to navigate their maritime journeys. 

Click here to see the gallery images taken today.

New COVID-19 Confirmed Case Data Format on the City Website

Today a new page was brought live to the City website to replace the Google Doc with the daily updated confirmed COVID-19 case data. The new page has live CDC and NJ Department of Health data and graphics embedded into it. The page is available to view here, and is linked to the COVID-19 Menu and to the Smartphone Menu. The new page contains data with embedded, immersive content, and is best viewed from a computer or tablet. On a smartphone, the page is best viewed in landscape.

The City website also has additional information with immersive content about COVID-19 called the Coronavirus Pandemic Data Explorer, which can be found here.

Get Counted

New Jersey residents can respond to the 2020 Census to ensure the State of New Jersey 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! Respond to the Census.

Outdoor graduations are allowed, but in what form?

Breaking News

Gov. Phil Murphy announced the state will allow outdoor graduation ceremonies, beginning July 6, provided they comply with all social distancing regulations. Governor Murphy announced the news in a tweet this morning. He was expected to provide more information at his daily briefing at 11am. In his tweet, he said graduations could happen as long as schools ensure “the health and safety of all in attendance.” (ROI-NJ)

Certain Businesses Permitted to Open

Governor Murphy signed several Executive Orders and Administrative Orders, allowing some outdoor businesses to restart effective May 22, 2020 and enabling additional clarification on previous Executive Orders.

The following businesses are allowed to open.

  • Batting cages and golf ranges
  • Shooting and archery ranges
  • Horseback riding
  • Private tennis clubs
  • Community gardens

In-person sales at the following businesses also allowed to resume.

  • Automobile and motorcycle dealerships
  • Bicycle shops

Primary Election Information

Here’s what we know so far about the July 7th Primary

  • The July 7th primary will be a primarily vote-by-mail election.
  • ALL registered Democratic and Republican voters will receive a postage-paid vote-by-mail ballot.
  • ALL unaffiliated and inactive voters will receive a postage-paid vote-by-mail ballot application.
  • There will be a limited number of in-person polling places in each county that will be open to ensure that everyone can exercise their right to vote.
  • The deadline by which votes must be received by a county Board of Elections to be counted as valid will be extended from 48 hours after polls close to seven days after polls close.

Kean University Testing Site on Morris Avenue in Union

New Hours, New Online Appointment Scheduling

Open to Union County Residents, M-F, 9am – 4pm. Up to 72 hours for test results. Testing is now available to all Union County residents who wish to be tested, whether or not they are experiencing symptoms. It is also available to all first responders and frontline health workers who are asymptomatic and that work in Union County, regardless of their residence. Testing is also available to first responders and frontline health workers who live and work outside the County, but in New Jersey, must have symptoms and a prescription from a doctor. You can now make an appointment online here. You must have proof of NJ Residency IDs when visiting testing site.

For information about all testing sites, please click here.