May 5, 2020
Our Berkeley Heights Board of Health has taken steps to ensure that local businesses are following both federal and state public health mandates and guidelines regarding cleaning, sanitizing, and hygiene practices - this includes food workers wearing masks and gloves. The CDC has stated that face coverings must fit snugly, and gloves be worn when handling food. Food businesses should also follow this and other CDC guidelines, such as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and other measures, which can be found on the CDC website here. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, through Executive Order 122, also mandated that workers and customers of essential businesses such as those that provide food, need to wear masks and gloves, which are to be provided by the business. Businesses were asked to contact the Township if they needed help securing masks or gloves for their employees.
We would like to thank the restaurants that are providing takeout food or providing deliver to residents. We know it’s been a difficult time and we sincerely appreciate your dedication to this community!
Meanwhile, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Tuesday said more progress needs to be made in the state’s battle against COVID-19 before the state lifts additional restrictions and reopens nonessential businesses, regardless of those lobbying for a faster plan as Memorial Day nears. There’s no "magic date" for reopening, he said.
The governor stressed that without a vaccine or significant treatment, social distancing continues to be the best tool to fight COVID-19 and save lives.
“I’m sorry we can’t give you more definitive guidance yet,” Murphy said during his daily coronavirus press briefing. “We still have people getting sick, going to the hospitals, and sadly more than 300 we’re reporting (today) have died. So with all due respect, this is the fight of our lives.
“We gotta do it right,” he added. “We’ve got to do it responsibly, we’ve got to do it safely, and we are committed to that ... frankly, whether you like that or not.”
By the Numbers
- NJ - 2,494 new cases; 130,593
- NJ - 334 new deaths; 8,244 total
- Union County - 163 new cases; 13,503 total cases
- Union County - 31 new deaths; 768 total
Hospitalizations
- 5,328 people are hospitalized - a 36% drop since peaking three weeks ago, a "steady decline"
- 1,534 are in critical condition – this number has been declining in the last week
- 1,169 people are on ventilators
- 35 people are being treated at field hospitals – so far 400 people total have been treated at field hospitals
- 385 new admissions
- 232 discharges
Regarding LTC’s (long-term care facilities)
- 509 facilities with positive cases
- Total of 22,602 positives in LTC’s
- If you want information as to whether an LTC in your community is affected, you can visit the Dept of Health website, there is a dedicated tab for LTCs.
May 4, 2020
Covid-19 Update, May 4, 2020, Berkeley Heights Numbers:
The weather has been beautiful and many residents are looking to get out and socialize. But this virus is still killing people. It spreads quickly, and while many of our deaths have been in our long-term care facilities (LTCs), we are are ALL responsible for saving lives by staying home. We have many, many years ahead of us of backyard BBQs, get togethers and social events. But we have ONE opportunity to save lives.
With that, and with a heavy heart, we report the death of two more residents of our LTCs. Please note that we think this number is low as the Department of Health reporting system "crashed" this weekend. These members of our greater Berkeley Heights community were people in their 80s & 90s. Please pray for their friends and family.
- 37 active cases (increase of 1)
- 29 from LTCs (increase of 1)
- 132 closed cases (increase of 3): 31 recovered from LTCs (increase of 3). 31 LTC deaths (increase of 3), - 3 community deaths (same)
- 169 total cases (increase of 4)
Click here for more information on NJ LTCs.
By the Numbers
Hospitalizations:
- 5,287 people are hospitalized - ↓ 1,000 in the last 5 days
- 1,610 people in critical condition
- 1,189 people on ventilators
- 41 people being treated in field hospitals
- 362 new admissions to hospitals
- 335 discharged from hospitals
The state reporting system was down on 5/3/20 and likely skewed today’s numbers of new cases. Please check back tomorrow for an update. For more detail on today’s numbers visit the NJ Department of Health website.
Remote Learning for Rest of Year for Jersey Kids
Citing the need to protect the health of New Jersey’s 1.6 million public and private school students as well as thousands of educators and support staff, Governor Phil Murphy today announced that statewide school closures will be extended through the end of the 2019-2020 academic year. Private schools with longer academic years will remain closed until at least June 30.
While the prohibition of in-person instruction will be maintained through the end of the school year, public schools will continue to provide remote learning for students to allow districts to meet the state-required minimum of 180 instruction days.
“This is a difficult decision and I know that many students, parents, and staff would like to be able to return to school,” said Governor Murphy. “However, I have been unwavering on the message that we need to make decisions based on science, not emotion. And while New Jersey is making great strides in mitigating the spread of COVID-19, science tells us that at this point, we can’t safely re-open our schools.”
The Administration will create a steering committee consisting of a diverse group of stakeholders in the education community to explore summer learning opportunities for all students, including school-sponsored summer programming and Extended School Year for students with disabilities. The committee will provide recommendations to the Administration as to which services need to continue to be provided remotely should the public health emergency extend past the conclusion of the 2019-2020 school year.
The committee will also explore approaches for the safest and most efficient re-opening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
In other news...
- Governor Murphy issued a directive allowing for municipalities top open tennis courts for singles play only, private tennis clubs must remain closed; Berkeley Heights is still evaluating this.
- We are hoping to have guidance from the state about municipal pools by the end of this week.
- Teaming Up - New Jersey is joining six other states to develop a regional strategy to acquire personal protective gear, medical equipment and test kits.
Construction Delays - The coronavirus is forcing New Jersey to adjust a few environmental rules, and the change could slow some construction projects across the Garden State. (nj.com).
For more details on the environmental rule changes, click here.
Join Us for a Webinar with the Assembly Speaker this Wednesday, May 6 - Join the N.J. Chamber of Commerce and NJBIA as Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin shares his views on the New Jersey business community and the COVID-19 crisis. He will also take questions from the audience. To register, click here.
- Nursing Homes in Crisis - New Jersey will ask the National Guard to help nursing homes that have been decimated by the coronavirus. (nj.com)
Resources - The N.J. Chamber of Commerce Webinar with Neil Bradley, chief policy officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, provides valuable details on the federal loan programs designed to help businesses navigate the pandemic.(April 23)
The N.J. Chamber of Commerce webinar with state Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo provides vital information on the state unemployment insurance program and tips for applying. (April 16)
The N.J. Chamber of Commerce webinar with Al Titone, SBA district director of New Jersey provides vital information on SBA coronavirus relief loan programs. (April 14).
For information on applying for a Paycheck Protection Program loan, click here.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Survival Guide has a complete listing of all of the coronavirus resources for small businesses.
The N.J. Economic Development Authority is offering assistance programs for New Jersey businesses. Information and applications can be found here.
The IRS posted information on ’stimulus checks’ here.
The state’s jobs and hiring portal matches employers and candidates. For employers to participate, click here.
New Jersey’s website for information on all of the state’s business resources during the pandemic.
New Jersey’s website for up-to-date information about COVID-19.
Have Questions About the Status of an Unemployment Claim? - You can send a message to the state Labor Department through its website – www.myunemployment.nj.gov. Then follow these instructions:
On the top of the page, scroll to the right for “Need Help” and unveil the drop-down menu
Choose Send an Email
Choose Email: Submit a message through the new online form.
Follow the prompts
To report a scammer or suspected price gouging, alert the N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs at (973) 504-6240 or at http://njconsumeraffairs.gov.
The state set up a 24-hour hotline where health care professionals are answering questions about coronavirus. The toll-free number is 1-800-222-1222. From outside the state, call 1-800-962-1253.
Over 830 companies are hiring for over 57,000 jobs during this health crisis. Click here for job listings.
May 3, 2020
Enjoy the weather this weekend, everyone, but PLEASE REMEMBER to maintain safe social distancing so we can all show the County and state that we CAN follow the rules and they can reopen more for us - sooner!
May 1, 2020
Local, Board of Ed and County Parks Open to Passive Recreation Only Beginning May 2
Union County parks will partially re-open beginning at dawn tomorrow (Saturday, May 1) for limited and passive activities only. State parks and golf courses can also reopen with restrictions. The County’s two golf courses will open next week, after routine maintenance is conducted. However, all group activities and any activity that does not allow for proper social distancing is NOT allowed.
What’s a Passive Activity?
A passive activity is essentially anything you can do that does not require another person: fishing, hunting, boating, canoeing, hiking, walking, running or jogging, biking, birding, and horseback riding. This does NOT include:
- Any type of group activity or sport (soccer, basketball, lacrosse, group running,
- Gathering on fields
- Any type of game
- Or similar activities with others
Here in Berkeley Heights…
Fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball and pickleball courts will remain closed. Passaic, Horseshoe, Sansone, and Snyder fields will be closed, along with the Snyder parking lot. Trails are open for walking, running and biking.
As it pertains to Berkeley Heights Public Schools outdoor facilities, the only areas that will reopen on May 2nd are the track at Governor Livingston High School and the walking path near the Lower Columbia Fields. The turf field and athletic fields on the High School property remain CLOSED, the basketball courts, tennis courts, fields and playground at Columbia remain CLOSED. We ask that residents respect the order and not use these unopened spaces even as access to them becomes more accessible. We can only reopen the track and walking path with these restrictions in place. If residents violate the restrictions, we will be forced to close these areas again. As a reminder, all group activities and any activity that does not allow for proper social distancing is not allowed.
In spaces that are open for use, everyone needs to properly social distance, except if you are with immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.
We encourage everyone to follow the rules regarding social distancing, masks, and permitted activities, so as to give confidence to local, county and state governments that more spaces can slowly reopen. Thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy the beautiful weekend!
More Support for Food Assistance, Seniors, Child Care & More
This week, NJ Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson announced new funding to help support New Jerseyans’ health and well-being during this public health emergency, including:
By the Numbers
- NJ - 2,651 new cases; 121,190
- NJ - 311 new deaths; 7,538 total
- Union County - 214 new cases; 12,779 total cases
- Union County - 24 new deaths; 714 total
Hospitalizations in NJ
- 5,972 total
- 1,724 in ICU
- 1,286 on ventilators
- 46 in field hospital
- 432 admissions
- 571 discharged
Over 830 companies are hiring for over 57,000 jobs during this health crisis. Click here for job listings.
Call-in number for Union County Residents Only for testing site appointments at Kean University 908-214-7107.
More Money for Businesses is Coming - Yesterday, the Federal Reserve released guidelines for its soon-to-open Main Street Lending Program that will offer four-year loans starting at $500,000 for small- and medium-sized businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic. To qualify, a business must have had fewer than 15,000 employees or less than $5 billion in revenue in 2019. Lending institutions are administering the program, and a high percentage of each of the loans will be guaranteed by the Fed. Principal and interest payments will be deferred for one year.
Act Now - Once the Federal Reserve opens the Main Street Lending Program, qualified businesses should apply quickly. To prepare, the New Jersey Chamber encourages members to review the information and reach out to lenders now. For the Fed’s press release, click here. For frequently asked questions, click here.
New Jersey Businesses Are Not Getting Their Fair Share of Paycheck Protection Program Loans - New Jersey is one of the states hardest hit by COVID-19, but less than 20% of small firms here got an award from the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which is designed to offset COVID-19 losses. (NJ Spotlight)
More Tests Coming- New Jersey will at least double its daily number of tests for the coronavirus after the federal government agreed to send 550,000 testing kits and 750,000 swabs, Gov. Murphy said. This development, he added, could be critical to reopening the state. (nj.com)
At the White House - Gov. Murphy made a plea to President Trump yesterday that New Jersey needs federal money to help make up for what could be a $20 billion to $30 billion hit to the state government’s finances as businesses close and tax revenues plummet. (nj.com)
Washing Machine - New Jersey has “secured” a system that can decontaminate up to 80,000 N95 respirators a day, Gov. Murphy announced. This helps address the current shortage of critical Personal Protective Equipment. The Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System is centrally located in Edison and can service the entire state.
Resources
The N.J. Chamber of Commerce Webinar with Neil Bradley, chief policy officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, provides valuable details on the federal loan programs designed to help businesses navigate the pandemic.(April 23)
The N.J. Chamber of Commerce webinar with state Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo provides vital information on the state unemployment insurance program and tips for applying. (April 16)
The N.J. Chamber of Commerce webinar with Al Titone, SBA district director of New Jersey provides vital information on SBA coronavirus relief loan programs. (April 14).
For information on applying for a Paycheck Protection Program loan, click here.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Survival Guide has a complete listing of all of the coronavirus resources for small businesses.
The N.J. Economic Development Authority is offering assistance programs for New Jersey businesses. Information and applications can be found here.
The IRS posted information on ’stimulus checks’ here.
The state’s jobs and hiring portal matches employers and candidates. For employers to participate, click here.
New Jersey’s website for information on all of the state’s business resources during the pandemic.
New Jersey’s website for up-to-date information about COVID-19.
Have Questions About the Status of an Unemployment Claim? - You can send a message to the state Labor Department through its website – www.myunemployment.nj.gov. Then follow these instructions:
- On the top of the page, scroll to the right for “Need Help” and unveil the drop-down menu
- Choose Send an Email
- Choose Email: Submit a message through the new online form.
- Follow the prompts
To report a scammer or suspected price gouging, alert the N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs at (973) 504-6240 or at http://njconsumeraffairs.gov.
The state set up a 24-hour hotline where health care professionals are answering questions about coronavirus. The toll-free number is 1-800-222-1222. From outside the state, call 1-800-962-1253.