Full Notification

Official Message from the Mayor's Office

As we do everything we can to limit the impact of COVID19 we are carefully following executive orders issued by the Office of the Governor. In an order issued today the Governor has made clear that the State will determine restrictions moving forward and all County and Municipal Governments are obligated to follow. We will continue to update you with any new information as it becomes available. Please, do not listen to rumors. We are taking great pains to make sure that accurate and truthful information is posted on SATV, the City website, NIXLE, and both our Facebook and Twitter feeds. Please take note of the following that is in effect by 9pm tonight per Governor Murphy:

1.All NJ residents shall remain in their home or at their place of residence unless they are; a.obtaining goods or services from essential retail business
b.obtaining takeout food or beverages from restaurants or other dining establishments
c.Seeking medical attention, essential social services, or assistance from law enforcement or emergency services
d.Visiting family or other individuals with whom the resident has a close personal relationship such as those who are a caretaker or romantic partner
e.Reporting to or performing their job
f.Walking, running, operating a wheelchair, or engaging in outdoor activities with immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners while following the best social distancing practices including staying at least 6 feet apart
g.Leaving the home for educational, religious, or political reasons
h.Leaving the home because of a reasonable fear for his/her personal safety
i.Leaving under the direction of law enforcement or another government agency

2.When in public individuals MUST practice social distancing and stay six feet apart wherever practicable, EXCLUDING immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.
3.Individuals who have to travel should only use public transportation only if they have no other feasible choice.
4.Gatherings of individuals such as parties, celebrations, or other social events are cancelled unless authorized by any other part of this order.
5.The brick and mortar premises of all non-essential retail businesses MUST close to the public as long as this order is in effect.
6.Essential businesses may remain open during their normal business hours but MUST, wherever practicable provide pickup services outside or adjacent to their stores for goods ordered in advance online or by phone.
7.Businesses identified as essential are: a.Grocery stores, farmers markets, and farms that sell directly to customers, and other food stores, including retailers that offer a varied assortment of foods comparable to what exists at a grocery store.
b.Pharmacies and alternative treatment centers that dispense medical marijuana
c.Medical supply stores
d.Retail functions of gas stations
e.Convenience stores
f.Ancillary stores within healthcare facilities
g.Hardware and home improvement stores
h.Retail functions of banks and other financial institutions
i.Stores that principally supply supplies for children under 5 years old
j.Retail functions of laundromats and dry-cleaning services
k.Pet stores
l.Liquor stores
m.Car dealerships, but only to provide auto maintenance and repair services, and auto mechanics
n.Retail functions of printing and office supply shops
o.Retail functions of mail and delivery stores

8.All essential retail businesses who remain open shall abide by social distancing practices to the extent practicable while providing essential services.
9.All restaurants, cafeterias, dining establishments, and food courts, with or without a liquor license with retail consumption privileges, are permitted to operate their normal business hours BUT are limited to offering ONLY food delivery and/or takeout services in accordance with their existing liquor licenses. If alcoholic beverages are to be sold from a restaurant, dining establishment, or bar with a liquor license, such sales shall be limited to the original containers sold from the principal public barroom
10.The following are closed until further notice; a.Casino gaming floors, including retail sports wagering lounges, and casino concert and entertainment venues. Online and mobile sports and casino gaming services may be offered.
b.Racetracks are closed
c.Gyms, fitness centers, and classes
d.Entertainment centers, including but not limited to movie theaters, performing arts centers, other concert venues, and nightclubs
e.All indoor portions of retail shopping malls. However, 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 during their operating hours and offer takeout or delivery services. All entrances and exits to the common area portions of retail shopping malls must remain closed.
f.Also closed until further notice are all places of public amusement whether indoors or outdoors including but not limited to amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, and family and children’s attractions
g. Personal care businesses including cosmetology shops, barber shops, beauty salons, hair braiding shops, nail salons, electrology facilities, spas, massage parlors, tanning salons, tattoo parlors, public and private social clubs including but not limited to the American Legion VFW, Knights of Columbus, and any other social clubs associated with community service organizations. This excludes any health facilities that can provide medically necessary or therapeutic services.
h.All municipal, county, and state public libraries and all libraries and computer labs at public and private colleges and universities are closed.

11. All busineeses or non-profits in the State, whether closed or open to the public, must accommodate their workforce, wherever practicable, for telework or work from home arrangements. For the purpose of this order telework means the practice of working from home or alternative locations closer to home through the use of technology that equips the individual to access necessary materials.
12.The business or non-profit should make best efforts to reduce staff on site to the minimal number necessary to ensure that essential operations can continue. Examples of employees who need to be physically present at their work site in order to perform their duties include but are not limited to; a.Law enforcement officers
b.Fire fighters
c.EMS and OEM workers
d.Cashiers or store clerks
e.Construction workers
f.Utility workers
g.Repair workers
h.Warehouse workers
i.Lab researchers
j.Information technology maintenance workers
k.Janitorial and custodial staff
l.And certain administrative staff

13.All public, private, and parochial preschool program premises, and elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools shall remain closed to students as long as this effort remains in effect.
14.All institutions of higher education shall continue to cease such in person instruction as long as this order remains in effect.
15.The Commissioner of the Department of Education in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Health, shall be authorized to permit schools to remain open on a limited basis for the provision of food or other essential, non-educational services or for educational or childcare services if need in emergency situations.
16.Students who receive free or reduced cost meals will continue to receive this service under arrangements by the local Board of Education.

As a fellow resident I share your frustration with this new reality we are all facing. But with common sense, a spirit of community, and with the backup of our professionals from Police, Fire, EMS, OEM, and all of our top rate city departments we will emerge on the other side of this crisis better and stronger than ever.