Full Notification

Mercer County has reported, as of June 27, 2020, there have been a total of 7,619 confirmed COVID-19 Cases to date, and 1 additional death for a total, sadly, of 540 deaths in Mercer County. All active cases are either at home self-isolating or admitted to the hospital. The State of New Jersey today reported 289 additional Confirmed COVID-19 Cases for a current total of 170,873 cases, and 34 additional deaths for a total of 13,094 COVID-19 related deaths statewide. For all further information and data related to COVID-19 cases, go to the New Jersey official COVID-19 dashboard: https://covid19.nj.gov/#live-updates
 
It is important that everyone continue practicing social distancing, following the advice and directives of health care professionals and government officials, and using good sense, so we can all get through this difficult period together. We need to remember that the most effective and most caring responsible thing we can continue to do for ourselves, our loved ones and our entire community is to continue to do what we are doing.
 
If you are concerned about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one during the current crisis, NJMentalHealthCares is available 7 days a week from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. at (866) 202-HELP (4357).
 
STATE OF NEW JERSEY UPDATES:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 157, on June 26, reflected in an updated New Jersey Department of Health Executive Directive, establishing Rules for Indoor Dining, Indoor Recreational Facilities, and Individualized Instruction at Gyms and Fitness Centers which implements these re-openings effective Thursday, July 2. 
 
The INDOOR DINING requirements include:

• Limit the number of patrons in indoor areas to 25 percent of the food or beverage establishment’s indoor capacity, excluding the food or beverage establishment’s employees.
• Ensure that tables where individuals or groups are seated are six feet apart in all directions from any other table or seat and that individual seats in any shared area that is not reserved for individual groups, such as an indoor bar area, are also six feet apart in all directions from any other table or seat.
• Require patrons to wear face coverings while inside the indoor premises of the food or beverage establishment, except when seated at their table or in their individual seat.  This requirement does not apply if the patron has a medical reason for not wearing a face covering or is a child under two years of age.
• Food or beverage establishments with table service may only allow patrons to place orders when seated, and only wait staff may bring food or beverages to seated patrons.
• Patrons may only consume food or beverages while seated (meaning they cannot walk around with their beverages, for example).
• Abide by all other health and safety standards issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Health, including infection control practices and other sanitization protocols, consistent with her authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act.

 
The requirements for RECREATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES that can open, including libraries, museums, aquariums, and public and private social clubs, include:

• Limit the capacity of their indoor premises to 25 percent, and are held to many of the same requirements that are imposed on retail businesses (a full list of the requirements is in the Order). 
• Gyms and fitness centers, movie theaters, performing arts centers, other concert venues, and indoor amusement and water parks, must keep their indoor spaces closed, and dance floors at any business must be closed or cordoned off.
• Gyms and fitness centers are permitted to offer individualized indoor instruction by appointment only where an instructor is offering training to an individual, and the individual’s immediate family members, household members, caretakers, or romantic partners.  If a gym or fitness center is offering multiple simultaneous instructions at the same facility, these instructions must take place in separate rooms or, if they take place in the same room, must be separated by a floor-to-ceiling barrier that complies with all fire code requirements.

 
PERSONAL CARE SERVICES that would require the removal of a face covering, such as facials, can resume on July 2 subject to otherwise applicable requirements issued by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and the New Jersey Department of Health.
 
For the Department of Health updated Executive Directive on outdoor and indoor dining: https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/docs/Dining_Guidance.pdf
 
Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Health announced on June 26 the release of “The Road Back: Restart and Recovery Plan for Education” to assist schools with reopening in the fall. The guidance announces that, absent a change in public health data, public schools will open for in-person instruction and operations in some capacity at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year.
 
The guidance focuses on four key functional areas: conditions for learning, leadership and planning, policy and funding, and continuity of learning.   The guidance sets the minimum standards for returning to school and serves as a toolkit for schools to use as they develop their recovery plans – recognizing that flexibility is needed as each school will have unique needs and circumstances, and some efforts will need to be guided by local health officials.  The guidance describes several health and safety standards to be prioritized in school reopening: 

1. Social distancing: Schools and districts must allow for social distancing within the classroom. This can be achieved by ensuring students are seated at least six feet apart. If schools are not able to maintain this physical distance, additional modifications should be considered. These include physical barriers between desks and turning desks to face the same direction (rather than facing each other)or having students sit on only one side of a table and spaced apart.
2. Face coverings: School staff and visitors are required to wear face coverings unless doing so would inhibit the individual’s health or the individual is under two years of age. Students are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and are required to do so when social distancing cannot be maintained, unless doing so would inhibit the student’s health. It is necessary to acknowledge that enforcing the use of face coverings may be impractical for young children or certain individuals with disabilities.
3. Limited capacity: It is recommended that students and staff be seated at least six feet apart in class when practicable. When weather allows, windows should be opened to allow for greater air circulation.
4. Cleaning/disinfecting: Procedures must be implemented by each school district for the sanitization of school buildings and school buses. Increased handwashing measures are also important for students and staff.

Districts should strive to share preliminary scheduling plans with staff, families, and students at least four weeks before the start of the school year in order to allow families to plan child care and work arrangements.
 
For a summary of the guidance: https://www.nj.gov/education/reopening/NJDOETheRoadBackExecSum.pdf 

For the full guidance: https://www.nj.gov/education/reopening/NJDOETheRoadBack.pdf
 
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission announced on June 26 that most in-person transactions scheduled to start on June 29 will be delayed until July 7, while the text notification system undergoes final testing.  Road testing and Inspections stations will still be fully operational June 29.
 

• Those who successfully complete their road tests will have to wait to get their new licenses until July 7, but they will be given access to “Road Test” express lanes at every Licensing Center. 
• All NJMVC offices will be CLOSED ON MONDAYS in July for Health & Safety assessments of facilities following each week of expanded activity. 
• Most licenses, IDs, registrations, and other documents scheduled to expire after March 13 have been extended to July 31 or later (more info at www.NJMVC.gov). 
• Starting July 7, designated Licensing Centers will be processing new licenses and permits, out-of-state transfers, and REAL ID for those whose appointments were canceled.
• Starting July 7, designated Vehicle Centers will be adding individual registration and title transactions.  Transactions that can be done online will not be available in person until further notice.

The Commission continues to urge customers to use www.NJMVC.gov to renew or replace licenses, renew or replace registrations, or change their address.
 
For general questions and concerns about COVID-19:
Call: 2-1-1
Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
Visit www.covid19.nj.gov for additional information
 
PRIOR UPDATES:

For prior updates and resources visit the EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP COVID-19 information webpage:
www.east-windsor.nj.us/covid