Full Notification

Coronavirus update: new restrictions announced to mitigate the impact of Covid-19

Governor Murphy announced new restrictions Saturday afternoon in order to address COVID19. Effective on Saturday, March 21, 2020,  at 9:00 p.m., the new standards for businesses are as follows;

Gatherings of individuals, such as parties, celebrations, or other social events, are cancelled unless explicitly authorized by Executive Order 107. CDC guidance defines a gathering to include conferences, large meetings, parties, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies.

Non-essential retail businesses must close storefront and/or brick-and-mortar premises operations until further notice. And all recreational and entertainment businesses must close to the public, including: 

• Casinos;
• Racetracks;
• Gyms and fitness centers;
• Entertainment centers such as movie theaters, performing arts centers, concert venues, and nightclubs;
• Indoor portions of retail shopping malls and places of public amusement.

Business may continue any on-line operations.

Personal-care businesses that by their very nature result in noncompliance with social distancdistrust remain closed. This includes:

• Barbershops;
• Hair salons;
• Spas;
• Nail and eyelash salons;
• Tattoo parlors;
• Massage parlors;
• Tanning salons;
• Public and private social clubs.

Bars and restaurants in New Jersey must be closed for on-premise service and may provide take-out and delivery service only. Drive-throughs, take-out, delivery offered by restaurants, and other delivery services can continue to operate.

ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES - OPEN
Certain essential businesses and facilities are considered exempt from these closures:

• Grocery stores;
• Pharmacies;
• Medical marijuana dispensaries;
• Medical supply stores;
• Gas stations;
• Convenience stores;
• Ancillary stores within healthcare facilities;
• Hardware and home improvement stores;
• Vehicle rental locations;
• Banks and other financial institutions with retail functions;
• Laundromats and dry-cleaning services;
• Stores that principally sell supplies for children under five years;
• Pet stores and veterinary service locations;
• Car dealerships (**only for auto maintenance and repair, and auto mechanics**);
• Printing and office supply shops;
• Mail and delivery stores;
• Liquor stores.

All businesses or non-profits must accommodate their workforce for telework or work from home arrangements wherever practicable. To the extent they have employees who need to be on-site, they should operate with the minimal number of on-site employees as possible. Examples of such employees include:

• Cashiers or store clerks,
• Construction workers, utility workers, or repair workers
• Warehouse workers
• Lab researchers
• IT maintenance workers
• Janitorial and custodial staff
• Certain administrative staff

Manufacturing, industrial, logistics, ports, heavy construction, shipping, food production, food delivery, and other commercial operations may continue operating, but as explained above, they should limit staff on-site to the minimal number to ensure that essential operations can continue.

Medical facilities may continue to operate. Medical facilities include any facility where a sick or injured person is given care or treatment, such as:

• Doctor’s offices
• Hospitals
• Dentist offices
• Long-term care facilities
• Other medical offices.

Employees reporting to work are permitted to travel to and from their place of business.

Businesses are encouraged to give each employee a letter indicating that the employee works in an industry permitted to continue operation.