Full Notification

Below is an update from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla on COVID-19:

Hoboken gives thanks to the many volunteers and medical professionals from outside of our mile square, who have temporarily moved here to serve our community. Six of those medical workers directly assisting Hoboken are from the Heartland Ambulance Service in Indiana, who have volunteered to join our incredible team at the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps as a part of FEMA’s emergency response in New Jersey. We appreciate the hard work of all of those who have given weeks and months of their lives to help keep our residents safe during the COVID-19 crisis.
 
Impact of COVID-19 in Hoboken
 
Yesterday, Hoboken saw an additional 23 confirmed COVID-19 cases, for a total of 369 in Hoboken. Sadly, a male in his mid 70s passed away yesterday due to COVID-19. I extend my sympathies to his family, as well as to Union City for the loss of Officer Alex Ruperto from the Union City Police Department, who fell victim to COVID-19.
 
Rapid testing beginning today at Riverside
 
Due to the backlog of tests across the State, Hoboken sometimes receives delayed test results in bulk, which also includes a larger than normal amount of positive cases in one day. Understandably, when more results are received, more positive cases than normal are reported in the day’s totals, even though the tests may have been conducted over the course of several days. Fortunately, the rapid testing with results within 15 minutes at Riverside Medical that began today will not only provide major benefits to the public in terms of understanding who tests positive in real-time but will also allow us to more accurately know our daily totals and trends with cases. I’m hopeful that rapid testing will soon be available to municipalities and regions across the State.
 
If you’re in need of a rapid COVID-19 test and are a symptomatic Hoboken resident, please call our City Hall hotline at 201-420-5625, Monday through Saturday from 9 am until 5 pm.
 
No rent increase permitted in rent-controlled apartments during State of Emergency
 
On Wednesday, the City Council approved an ordinance that prevents rent increases in rent-controlled apartments throughout the City’s State of Emergency and also two months after. For those that may be struggling with loss of income due to COVID-19, this will help reduce the burden of a potential rent increase. I thank the Council for passing this regulation, which I officially signed into law and is retroactive to April 1.
 
Tenants or landlords with questions about the new regulations, including whether or not a specific apartment is rent controlled, should call the Hoboken Rent Leveling Office at (201) 420-2396 between 9 am until 4 pm on weekdays, or email [email protected].
 
Tenant advocate open office hours
 
For any Hoboken resident needing legal advice pertaining to their tenancy, Hoboken’s tenant advocate, Andrew Sobel, Esq. is available at no charge. Residents should please email [email protected] or call 201-470-6233 to schedule a virtual appointment.
 
Schools closed through at least May 15
 
Yesterday, Governor Murphy announced that all schools would be closed through at least May 15. The authority to re-open the public schools rests with the State of New Jersey, due to the State of Emergency.
 
Difficult budgetary decisions
 
Like many other municipalities, states, and organizations across the United States, COVID-19 has had a major impact on the City of Hoboken and its finances. The City has taken on additional new costs to protect the health and safety of residents, while also realizing substantial losses in revenue due to the crisis. The negative budgetary issues from COVID-19 and an additional anticipated loss of revenue in the weeks and months to come, compounds an already difficult budget for this year that I’ve communicated about previously. While my administration has been working tirelessly to address previous budgetary challenges and has made progress to this effect, the pandemic and our fiscal standing makes it extremely difficult to withstand such a major impact without layoffs in City Hall.
 
As a result, we had to make the unavoidable decision to submit a plan to lay off 26 positions, which makes up approximately 4% of the total workforce. I hold a responsibility to the taxpayers of Hoboken to do everything possible to mitigate a large tax increase due to these factors and must act on that obligation. I recognize the impact this decision will have on some of our employees and their families, and we will do everything possible to assist them with their next steps. During these challenging times, unfortunately, difficult decisions have to be made to protect the long term fiscal health of our City.
 
Current regulations in effect for next week
 
All current regulations and closures will continue to be in effect for all of next week through April 24, including a suspension of street sweeping. As mandated by the Office of Emergency Management, meters will continue to be in effect to help increase parking turnover in front of essential businesses including doctors’ offices, supermarkets, medical centers, and more.
 
Blood drives in Hoboken
 
As a reminder, until 6 pm today, the City will host a blood drive at the Multi Service Center (124 Grand Street). Appointments are required and donors must wear a mask or face cover. If you have signed up to donate and are now experiencing COVID symptoms or have been required for quarantine due to a credible exposure, you will not be able to donate. Thank you to Hoboken resident John Ferramosca for working with the City Health Department and Councilwoman Emily Jabbour to organize this series of blood drives during the crisis to address the critical blood shortage. 
 
To check for a list minute opening today, go to: https://donor.cbsblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/52434
 
The next blood drive will be Friday, April 24th from 11am - 4pm with the American Red Cross. You can sign up at: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Hoboken
 
Thank you, Hoboken, and please continue to stay safe and indoors as much as possible.
 
Sincerely,

Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor