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Tag: covid19

Governor Murphy reverses indoor gathering rules in NJ after a spike in the spread of coronavirus

Governor Murphy Announces Decreased Indoor Gathering Capacity Limit

Governor Phil Murphy announced the decrease of indoor gathering capacity limit in response to the increase of COVID-19 cases in New Jersey. Indoor gatherings are now limited to 25 percent of a room’s capacity, but regardless of the room’s capacity, the maximum limit shall be 25 persons, down from 100 persons. For purposes of determining this limit, any private residence or residential unit shall be treated as a single room. However, today’s change will not be applicable to the following events: weddings, funerals, memorial services, religious services or celebrations, and political activities. These events may continue under the previous rules that limited these events to 25 percent of a room’s capacity, but with a limit of 100 persons.

“In order to protect public health, we are re-tightening the restriction on indoor gatherings due to uptick of COVID-19 cases in New Jersey,” said Governor Murphy. “We cannot stress enough that large and crowded indoor gatherings, where social distancing isn’t being practiced and face masks aren’t being worn, are not safe. Until there is a significant decrease of COVID-19 cases, these restrictions will continue to be in place.” 

The Order took effect at 6am on Tuesday, August 4.

Click here for a copy of Executive Order #173.

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.

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

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.

Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Increasing Capacity Limit on Outdoor Gatherings

Order Also Allows Public and Private Recreational Campgrounds to Reopen

TRENTON — Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 148, increasing the limit on outdoor gatherings from 10 to 25 people and allowing recreational campgrounds to reopen with social distancing measures in place. The limit on indoor gatherings remains at 10 people. The Order takes effect immediately.

“Our steady progress on the road back has been made possible through the hard work and personal responsibility of New Jerseyans to safeguard public health,” said Governor Murphy. “I’m proud that we can confidently take this step today and provide further optimism for the unofficial start of summer.”

Outdoor Gatherings: The Governor’s Executive Order allows outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people so long as the following rules are complied with:

  • The gathering must take place entirely outdoors except for restroom use;
  • Limit capacity to no more than 25 people at all times;
  • Require attendees to be six feet apart at all times, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners;
  • Prohibit contact between attendees, and no organized or contact sports;
  • If the event is an organized gathering, the organizer should demarcate six feet of spacing in the area of the gathering to demonstrate appropriate spacing for social distancing;
  • Limit provided seating to single individuals, spaced six feet apart, and sanitized after each use;
  • Prohibit sharing of any physical items provided and require sanitization before and after each use; and
  • Require contactless pay options wherever feasible. 

Nothing in the Order shall prevent professional athletes from fulfilling their job duties, consistent with paragraph 10 of Executive Order No. 107 (2020).

Charter Boats and Recreational Businesses: The Order rescinds the 10-person capacity limit on charter boats and recreational businesses opened under Executive Order No. 147, including archery ranges, batting cages, golf driving ranges, horseback riding, tennis clubs, and shooting ranges, and imposes a new 25-person capacity limitation with a requirement that individuals can remain six feet apart at all times.

Parks, Beaches, Boardwalks, and Lakeshores: The Order allows gatherings of no more than 25 people at State Parks and Forests, county and municipal parks, public and private beaches, boardwalks, lakes, and lakeshores, but continues to prohibit special events such as festivals, concerts, fireworks, and movies.

Recreational Campgrounds: The Order permits private and public recreational campgrounds to reopen to the public. The following shall remain closed at recreational campgrounds: picnic areas; playgrounds; pavilions; and other buildings amenities, or facilities, except restrooms and showers. Recreational campgrounds that are open to the public must comply with the same restrictions required for recreational businesses.  The Department of Environmental Protection is required to prepare a phased-in reopening plan for all campgrounds located on State Parks and Forests within fifteen days.

The Order also recommends, but does not order, that people wear a face covering while at outdoor gatherings and recreational campgrounds when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Local Linden COVID-19 Updates

  • If you are out of work due to COVID-19, you can apply for unemployment online, if you are eligible. 908-474-8665
  • For those residents who cannot make their rental/mortgage payments because of being out of work please note that you cannot be evicted or foreclosed upon. However, your landlord and or mortgage company/bank can start the proceedings but cannot enforce eviction or foreclosure until 60 days after the Executive Order by the Governor has been lifted.
  • The United Chinese Americans Association of New Jersey donated facial masks to the City of Linden.

What’s closed to the public in Linden and how do I reach them by phone?

  • Linden City Hall – 908-474-8493 
  • Union County Offices – 908-527-4787
  • Linden Municipal Court – 908-474-8423
  • Linden Welfare Office – 908-474-8620
  • Linden Public Library
  • Linden Multi-Purpose Center
  • Linden PAL
  • John T. Gregorio Recreation Center – seniors who receive Meals on Wheels receive at-home delivery.

Do Your Part

  • Seniors Who Are Shut In – call the Mayor’s office at 908-474-8493.
  • Report price gouging to the Weights & Measures Division of the County Consumer Affairs Department by email or by phone at 908-527-4787.

Corona Testing Site Information

This post contains all testing site related updates.

Holmdel PNC Bank Arts Center

Open to those who live within 50-mile radius of the site. This site and the Bergen County Community College site (below) are alternating the days upon which they operate. 

Bergen County Community College

Open to those who live within 50-mile radius of the site. This site and the Holmdel PNC Bank Arts Center site (above) are alternating the days upon which they operate. 

Kean University on Morris Avenue in Union

Open to Union County Residents, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am – 4pm. Up to 72 hours for test results. Free testing is available to all Union County residents who wish to be tested, whether or not they are experiencing symptoms. You can now make an appointment online here. You must have proof of NJ Residency IDs when visiting the testing site.

Union County to open State’s 1st County-run Drive Through COVID-19 Testing Center

UNION COUNTY, NJ – Beginning Monday, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in conjunction with governmental, educational and healthcare partners, will open the state’s first County-run, drive-through facility for testing of the COVID-19 virus at Kean University. For the full press release, please download or read the attachment.

Coronavirus [COVID-19]

Given the rise of the Coronavirus [COVID 19] as a global health concern, we want to assure the community that our office is working closely with the Health Department, to ensure that residents are educated and prepared for the evolving situation. The following is up-to-date information regarding this developing concern. The New Jersey Department of Health hotline is 1-800-222-1222 or 1-800-962-1253 (if using out-of-state phone line) for the public to ask questions about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

We would also like to remind all members of our community, there are everyday preventive actions that can be taken to help limit the spread of respiratory viruses; including the Coronavirus and flu. Common measures the CDC recommends for the general public include:Avoid close contact with people who are sick.Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. (Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, if soap and water is not available).