Below is an update from Mayor Bhalla on COVID-19:
Impact of COVID-19 in Hoboken
The Hoboken Health Department reported no new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, and one on Wednesday for a total of 572 known, confirmed cases in Hoboken. No demonstrators from Hoboken tested at Riverside were positive for COVID-19. Fatalities remain unchanged at 30 total.
Social distancing during outdoor dining
As Hoboken adapts to a new normal with expanded outdoor dining, our zoning office and Hoboken Police Department continue to work with our business community to keep everyone safe with new social distancing requirements. One complaint we are receiving is that tables and chairs are not six feet apart at certain outdoor dining locations. To streamline the process, residents can now email [email protected] regarding this and other similar issues so our staff can get in touch with business owners to ensure a socially distant, outdoor dining experience for everyone. To report face mask violations at businesses, residents can continue to email [email protected].
Another complaint we are receiving is that when waiting for tables, restaurants are allowing residents to wait indoors at the business. This is not permitted as per the State’s Executive Order. Anyone waiting for a table should remain outdoors and six feet from other people waiting and other diners. Additionally, to clarify rules for sidewalks – with an outdoor expansion, restaurants should still allow for six feet of egress for pedestrians, and the paths should be straight and clear of obstruction. I’m confident that over the next week, our residents and businesses together will adapt to the new rules and regulations to protect everyone’s safety.
We continue to encourage residents to call ahead to restaurants to book a reservation whenever possible, and if a restaurant does not offer reservations, to call before leaving to see if tables are available. Please also don’t forget to wear a face mask to and from the restaurant, and to use when going to the restroom at the restaurant, which is required.
Hours of operation for outdoor dining
Outdoor dining is permitted until 11:00 pm Sunday through Thursday, and until 12:00 am on Friday and Saturdays, according to our City ordinance.
Restrooms to re-open at public parks tomorrow
Our Department of Environmental Services has put in place sanitizing procedures to open restrooms at public parks starting today. Staff will sanitize bathrooms on a regular basis going forward.
1600 Park and Sinatra Park open to the public starting Monday
I’m glad to share that we are re-opening 1600 Park and Sinatra Park to the public, with capacity limits and during certain hours of the day, starting Monday. The parks will be open for socially distant activities among families or small groups, with athletic competition prohibited. Staff will be on hand to ensure capacity limits. We’ll be providing details on timing and capacity limits prior to Monday.
Curfew lifted
Our 10 pm curfew within the City of Hoboken from an executive order signed by the Office of Emergency Management in March is no longer in effect.
Hoboken Relief Fund Music Festival
The Hoboken Relief Fund is hosting a virtual music festival to raise funds for those impacted by COVID-19 on June 25 at 7:00 pm. The festival features performances from various musical performers, and will be broadcasted live at facebook.com/Hoboken. If you haven’t donated already to the fund, you can do so at hobokenrelieffund.com. Thank you to the many generous residents who have supported this very worthy cause.
Finally, please continue to wear a mask when outdoors to protect the health and safety of our entire community, especially our frontline workers and vulnerable populations.
Thank you,
Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor
