Full Notification

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

Impact of COVID-19 in Hoboken
 
The Hoboken Health Department reported an additional four confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, and one on Wednesday. Hoboken has a total of 588 known, confirmed cases while fatalities remain unchanged at 30.
 
Help us save lives and wear a face mask
 
Hoboken, I know it’s getting hot outside, we’ve been battling COVID-19 for over four months now, and face masks can be uncomfortable. But it’s very concerning to see many people not wearing masks while outside in our City. We may be done with the virus, but the virus isn’t done with us. Health experts continually warn that asymptomatic spread is a central way that the virus can infect others. Taking the assumption that you are not infected because you don’t have symptoms, and not wearing a face mask could endanger everyone that you encounter on the street. It’s not worth the risk to leave the face mask at home.
 
Please show consideration and respect for your neighbors, friends, and especially our most vulnerable populations including the elderly and those with health conditions. I’ve heard from several of these residents, who are concerned that catching the virus could literally take their life. Help us save those lives and protect our City – please wear a face mask.
 
Mandatory quarantine for NY, NJ and CT residents traveling to hot spots
 
Governors Phil Murphy, Andrew Cuomo and Ned Lamont announced yesterday that New Jersey, New York and Connecticut residents traveling to states with high levels of COVID-19 spread must quarantine for 14 days after returning. As of today, these states include Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah & Washington.
 
Hoboken residents or small business employees returning from these states should also get tested for COVID-19 at least 5 days after returning. Tests are available through Riverside Medical by calling the City Hall hotline at 201-420-5621.
 
As mentioned previously, if you had previous plans to travel to these regions on vacation or for some other reason, I strongly urge you to postpone the trip to a later date, if possible.
 
Slow streets to return this weekend
 
Based on the positive feedback of our successful “slow streets”, we are once again bringing the program back this Saturday and Sunday. From 8:00 am until 8:00 pm, vehicular traffic will be restricted on Park Avenue (between 5^th Street and 11^th Street) and 10^h Street (from Hudson Street to Grand Street) to facilitate additional room for social distancing while walking, jogging, biking and more. This slow streets route also provides a public connection between Church Square Park and Columbus Park. As before, congregation and block parties on the open streets are prohibited, while face masks should be worn at all times. Access to garages and vehicles will be permitted.
 
Testing for business employees
 
As a reminder to business employees working in Hoboken, testing continues to be available to you through our partnership with Riverside Medical. If you are an employee who comes into contact with many a number of residents at a dining establishment or other type of business, you can get a test even if you do not have insurance (the City will pay for the cost). Please call 201-420-5621 to schedule a test.
 
New hours next week for City Hall hotline
 
The volunteer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hotline at City Hall will be in operation with new hours next week from 9 am until 1 pm, Monday through Friday. I am extremely thankful to the CERT members for spending countless hours of time helping schedule tests for residents and address community concerns.
 
City basketball courts to re-open with restrictions
 
Today, outdoor basketball courts at Church Square Park, Elysian Park, and behind the Multi-Service Center will re-open from 9 am until 8 pm for the next week, with capacity limits and other regulations, which include:

• No more than five people per basket and 10 people total on each court
• Shooting the basketball is permitted however each individual should bring their own ball and not pass to others
• Restricted activities: scrimmages, full court or half court contests, or physical play
• Maintain six feet of distance from others at all practical times

The basketball courts under the 14^th Street Viaduct will remain closed indefinitely as it the current site of the Riverside testing facility. City staff will be on hand at the three outdoor basketball locations to regulate capacity limits and the rules and regulations.
 
Hoboken playgrounds to re-open July 2
 
Governor Phil Murphy this week announced municipalities can re-open playgrounds on July 2. As a result, we will be re-opening City playgrounds for children on that date. Precautions will be taken by City staff to sanitize the equipment and on a regular basis. However, given the challenges of social distancing, we are recommending children above 2 years old wear face masks.
 
As before, we suggest parents bring sanitizer to the park, and go to the playground during early morning and off-peak hours. Please also limit time to 1 hour at the playground to help minimize overcrowding.
 
Remaining safe while dining at Hoboken establishments
 
While there are a select few businesses that have not been successfully implementing social distancing and crowd control outside of their businesses (as required by the Executive Order I signed earlier this week) and have received written warnings from the Office of Emergency Management and citations from the Hoboken Police Department, I want to thank many Hoboken establishments for taking these rules seriously. In particular, the Shepherd and the Knucklehead posted these regulations (requiring masks for everyone waiting in line and prohibiting “to go” drinks from being consumed in line) for everyone to see and actively enforced it this week. I appreciate the understanding from the many small business owners who I know are taking the necessary precautions to keep us all safe.
 
Blood Drive this Monday 
 
The next City-sponsored blood drive will take place this Monday, June 29 at the Multi Service Center (124 Grand Street) from 12 noon - 6pm with Vitalant New Jersey. All donors will also receive a COVID antibody test as part of their donation. You must have an appointment to donate, and please be sure to wear a mask. If you are symptomatic or have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID within the last 14 days, you will NOT be eligible to donate. To sign up for an appointment, please go to:
https://donor.cbsblood.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/52532  
 
Free rabies vaccine clinic on Saturday
 
As a reminder, the City of Hoboken is hosting its annual free rabies vaccination clinic for residents with dogs and cats, that was originally delayed due to COVID-19. The clinic takes place this Saturday, June 27 from 11 am until 2 pm at the Multi-Service Center (124 Grand Street). All dogs must be securely fastened on a leash or in a carrier, and should have a dog license which can also be obtained at the clinic.
 
Fireworks update
 
Over the past two nights, the Hoboken Police Department arrested two individuals for shooting high powered fireworks at an apartment window in Hoboken and summonsed four other individuals for disturbing the peace. Chief Ferrante and the members of HPD have been working diligently to address the fireworks complaints, which have decreased since the additional officers have been deployed for this quality of life issue, and I thank them for their diligent efforts.

Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor