Full Notification

Ocean Township Office of Emergency Management
 
Briefing: Monday March 18^th, 2020 @ 2pm
 
The Ocean Township Office of Emergency Management continues to work with the Ocean Township Police Department, Waretown First Aid Squad, Waretown Fire Company and the Township of Ocean Committee along with officials from the county, state, health department and school district to address this ever changing situation.
 
As of the writing of this briefing we can report there are no known and/or confirmed cases of Coronavirus within the Township of Ocean.
 
I can report that the Ocean Township OEM, township stakeholders and the Township Committee, just concluded our telephone conference where we discussed ongoing planning and mitigation tactics deployed throughout the Township.
 
Attached you will also find strategies from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry referencing on how to talk to our children about Coronavirus.
 
Summary of Executive Orders:
 
Executive Order No. 102 was issued by Gov. Murphy February 03, 2020, creating state’s Coronavirus Task Force.

Executive Order No. 103 was issued by Gov. Murphy March 09, 2020, declaring Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency.

March 13, 2020 President Trump declared a national emergency.  Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act was activated.

Social mitigation strategies require every effort to reduce the rate of community spread.

The CDC recommends for the next eight (8) weeks, gatherings of 50 or more people be canceled or postponed.

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 104, abbreviated:

1. Gatherings limited to 50 people or less, excluding airports, bus/train stations, medical facilities, offices, factories, mass transit or purchase of groceries or consumer goods.  There is no travel ban, travel is simply discouraged.  Social distancing should be practiced in all settings
2. Schools closed
3. School in-person instruction shall cease as of Wednesday March 18, 2020
4. Limited school openings allowed based upon food and shelter needs
5. Dept. of Education to coordinate ongoing learning
6. Free and reduced meals shall continue to students
7. Closures:
   1. Casinos/sports betting lounges, casino entertainment
   2. Racetracks
   3. Gyms/fitness centers and their classes
   4. Entertainment centers
   5. movie theatres
   6. performing arts centers
   7. concert venues and nightclubs
8. Non-essential retail, recreation and entertainment businesses to close 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.  While open, limited to 50 patrons, and must engage social distancing.  Examples  of  essential   businesses   excluded   from   this   directive   include:   grocery/food stores, pharmacies, medical supply stores, gas stations, healthcare  facilities  and  ancillary  stores  within  healthcare  facilities.
9. Restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, and bars limited to take-out or delivery only.  Liquor sales must be made in original containers. 

Update issued via Administrative Order through Colonel Callahan of the New Jersey State Police issued the following:

The following facilities are added to the list of facilities closed to members of the public in accordance with paragraph 7 of Executive Order No. 104.

All indoor common area portions of retail shopping malls. Restaurants and other stores located within shopping malls that have their own external entrances open to the public, separate from the general mall entrance, may remain open pursuant to the terms and directives of Executive Order 104 for operating hours and for takeout or food delivery services. All entrances and exits to the indoor common area portions of retail shopping malls must remain closed.

All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, arcades, fairs, children's play centers, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, family and children's attractions.

Consistent with the Governor’s Declaration, the Township of Ocean will close all recreational facilities including parks and playgrounds until the Governor lifts the Emergency Declaration order. The Township Playground equipment is not sanitized, and the Township Committee feels this is the most prudent course of risk control that we can take to assist in the slowing down of spreading or Covid-19.

As time progresses, the Office of Emergency Management will provide you with regular briefings on what is taking place in the community. We will keep you updated on information on closings and postponements and the latest information concerning the virus from county and state offices as it applies to the Township of Ocean.
  
Coronavirus COVID-19 FACTS

• Can cause mild to more severe respiratory illness.
• Symptoms of the coronavirus appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The best way to protect yourself and your family from this coronavirus and other diseases is to follow simple daily health precautions:
  
  7 Steps to Safety
  The best way to protect yourself and your family from this coronavirus and other diseases is to follow simple daily health precautions: 

1. Wash hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
3. Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
4. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
5. Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
6. Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
7. Stay home when you are sick. The New Jersey Department of Health is providing information to residents and has set up a 24/7 public hotline with the New Jersey Coronavirus at 1-800-222-1222.
   
   Ways to Manage Fears & Anxieties
   Although Coronavirus is a health issue that is being taken very seriously, do not let your worry about this virus control your life. The State of New Jersey has set up a phone line to help people deal with the stress of the current situation. Residents can call 1-877-294-4357 to speak with someone.
   
   
   * Since the situation is evolving, it is important to stay up to date by following trusted sources of information such as:

• CDC – General Information on Coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html
• CDC: Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
• NJ Department of Health, COVID-19: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml  

 
Michal J. Rogalski
Chief of Police – Ocean Township Police Department
Ocean Township Office of Emergency Management