Updated: Jersey City declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19 concerns

From Jersey City Mayor Fulop:

‘Yesterday evening we had our 4th positive case and we recognize where this can trend if we don’t get ahead of it.  This morning, we will be reaching out to all of the local grocery stores (3 registers or more) to set aside hours at supermarkets for elderly residents, ppl w/disabilities and pregnant residents only, during the hours of 9-11am starting Tuesday 3/17. They are our most vulnerable residents + crowded supermarkets are a challenge in particular for these residents.

We were the first in the country (last week) to implement any restrictions on any sort of establishments in the city, and being that social distancing is the best solution, we will be expanding our limitations to different establishments.

‪This morning we are also taking the steps via executive order to expand our restrictions that were implemented last week.

Effective noon today the following establishments will be closed: ‬

–  Bars and nightclubs that do not serve food
–  Movie theaters, performance centers
–  Gyms; fitness centers; barber shops; day care centers; nail salons

The following restrictions will also apply:

​-  Medical Professional offices (dentists, physical therapy, healthcare providers, chiropractic, etc.) are strongly advised to focus on urgent appointments where possible, and to please be diligent in pushing social distancing.
–  All restaurants are prohibited from providing dine-in services, but will be allowed to have take-out, delivery, and drive-through services.

These restrictions do not apply to:
–  Grocery stores, cafeterias within nursing homes or similar facilities.

Mayor’s Daily Updates: Beginning March 16th, we will do a daily update for residents in Jersey City via Facebook Live on the Jersey City Facebook Page. We will do this at 2 p.m. every day for the next week. This seems like the best way for us to keep residents directly totally informed.
If you have ‪specific questions you want us to answer, please email fulops@jcnj.org.  We will aggregate the most frequently asked questions, and do our best to answer them.
Click here to connect to the city’s Facebook page.

Of note to what we see in real time on the ground: We do expect positive tests to increase significantly in our area as more tests results come back and as the state/federal guidelines for testing become loosened.

Our Health & Human Services officials are working aggressively, and we have been preparing for this.  Our HHS will contact you PROACTIVELY if you have had contact with the individual.

We have been diligent in communicating only factual information over the last few weeks, and as many of you know, we have been aggressively putting in place safeguards to protect residents with social distancing.

We will be providing more information and support as it becomes available, but we wanted to make sure people are aware and avoid the spreading of rumors and misinformation.  Please continue to check back here for updates as they become available.

Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates


UPDATE: 3/16/20 – Below is a comprehensive update as to actions we are taking on the Jersey City side to proactively deal with Covid-19

SCHOOL CLOSURES

• All public schools will be closed next week, 3/16 – 3/20. Further reassessment will be needed from there.
• Jersey City Crossing Guards will work to distribute free meals to all Jersey City youth from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. all week while schools are closed.  Click here for a list of the 18 pick-up locations citywide.
•  The public libraries will be closed as of 3/16 and late fees will be waived.  Visit www.jclibrary.org for more information.

LOCAL BUSINESSES + RESTAURANTS

Effective as of noon 3/16/20, the following establishments will be closed: ‬
–  Bars and nightclubs that do not serve food
–  Movie theaters, performance centers
–  Gyms; fitness centers; barber shops; day care centers; nail salons

The following restrictions will also apply:
–  Medical Professional offices (dentists, physical therapy, healthcare providers, chiropractic, etc.) are strongly advised to focus on urgent appointments where possible, and to please be diligent in pushing social distancing.
–  All restaurants are prohibited from providing dine-in services, but will be allowed to have take-out, delivery, and drive-through services.

These restrictions do not apply to:
–  Grocery stores, cafeterias within nursing homes or similar facilities.

• Executive Order implements a 10 p.m. curfew on establishments carrying a liquor license in an effort to reduce large uncontrolled crowd turnout as a preventative measure to reduce exposing the public to the pandemic COVID-19.   Read the full press release here.
• Venues (restaurants, bars, etc.) that hold more than 25 people are being asked to maintain attendance in case of future need to track exposure.
• Alternate side of the street parking rules are suspended next week 3/16 – 3/20.

PUBLIC EVENTS

•  All City-run functions are canceled through March 20th.  Read the full press release here.
• All regularly scheduled public meetings held by the City of Jersey City including, but not limited to, meetings of the City Council and the various governing boards, are hereby cancelled until further notice.
• We are asking people to use judgment and to limit public gatherings when possible.

STAY UP TO DATE

• Jersey City has set up a 24-hour hotline.  If you suspect you have been exposed to Covid-19 please call 201-547-5208 before going to a medical facility.
• Residents are encouraged to sign up for our city’s SwiftReach alert system for advisories and updates.
• We are working to resolve an issue with the iPhone version of the SwiftReach emergency alert system and will update everyone accordingly.

IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS

•  To avoid overwhelming our medical facilities, and if you believe you may be infected, don’t use public transportation to our hospitals.  Call the hotline first. We will direct you on where and how to go.
• For those employees in the Department of Public Safety with any possible symptoms, please defer to the Chiefs of Police and Fire accordingly for guidance on returning to work or being sent home.
• Call your healthcare provider or one of these new testing sites:
◦ Alliance Community Healthcare: 201-451-6300 YES , 115 Columbus Dr
◦ Metropolitan Family Health: 201-478-5800 YES, 935 Garfield Ave
◦ North Hudson Community Action: 201-459-888 YES, 324 Palisade Ave

CITY OFFICES

• All city offices will be appointment-based only, walk-ins will be asked to schedule an appointment in order to be seen.
• The JCMUA will not be accepting any hand deliveries of permit applications, correspondence, invoices, bill payments, or proposals. For more info, visit jcmua.com
• The JCMUA has ordered Suez to eliminate water shut offs to any Jersey City residence for 30 days.

LEGAL MATTERS

• The municipal court will be open but non-criminal matters will be rescheduled until further notice.
• Please be advised, all-non-Criminal matters scheduled in the Jersey City Municipal Court, located at 365 Summit Avenue, Jersey City, NJ between Monday, March 16th and Friday, March 20th will be adjourned.  You do not have to report to court if you have a traffic, parking, ordinance or fire code violation. You will receive a new notice in the mail.
• All individuals with criminal matters, including DV (Domestic Violence) and DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) are still required to report to the court on their assigned date. The information window and payment windows of the Violation Bureau will remain open to process payments. Additionally, kindly be reminded that payments for traffic and parking tickets may be made online via NJMCDirect.com

HOW JERSEY CITY IS RESPONDING/BEHIND THE SCENES

• We are setting up a conference call with organizers from all scheduled public events to discuss cancellation policies. We will disseminate that information accordingly.
• We have proactively canceled larger group events for our senior community as we want to be proactive with the most vulnerable populations.
• We are working with our lawyers to better understand the impact of the governor’s declaration of a “State Of Emergency” as it affects our municipal budget.
• Jersey City has 12,000 MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) for seniors and congruent meal sites in the event of increased cases. We are prepared to deal with vulnerable populations