From Cape May County:

The Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders voted on Tuesday, April 7th, that all hotels, motels, guest houses and other transient, seasonal and short-term rental businesses are prohibited from lodging any new transient guest or seasonal tenant effective immediately. The Board decided that it would continue to monitor the situation to reopen these businesses as soon as it is safe to do so.

The term “transient guest or seasonal tenant” as described by Gov. Phil Murphy’s Executive Order does not include: “(i) individuals housed as a part of State-directed non-congregate shelter initiative, (ii) individuals taking temporary residence supported by Federal, State, or local emergency and/or other housing assistance, or (iii) healthcare workers taking temporary residence.” This resolution also does not require the eviction of any transient guest or seasonal tenant presently lodged in such a location prior to the resolution being passed.

The goal is to create one uniform policy for the entire County so there isn’t confusion among visitors regarding which towns are open and which ones are closed in the immediacy of the current Health Emergency in the State of New Jersey. The County wants to make it clear that the Resolution does not stop businesses from taking reservations or preparing the property for reopening, but speaks to the fluid nature of the situation, where no definite date is known.

“This is a necessary step and we are glad the Governor recognized our position, which I was the first to voice weeks ago,” said Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton. “We don’t need visitors at this time. We must do everything we can to flatten the curve. The more we discourage people from traveling at this time it will help eliminate the spread of COVID-19. When we can ensure it is safe, I will be the first one to welcome tourists will open arms.”

Thornton and Cape May County Administrator Elizabeth Bozzelli have been in daily contact with Gov. Phil Murphy’s office for the past month. Those discussions have allowed them to express the concerns of the elected officials and the community. Freeholder Jeffrey Pierson who is the liaison to the Cape May County Health Department has been in daily contact with Thornton and Bozzelli as well, along with the Health Department Officer Kevin Thomas and Cape May County Office of Emergency Management Director Marty Pagliughi.

“This is not a decision we want to make but one we have to make,” said Pierson. “We are doing everything we can do to limit sickness and loss of life now and hopefully preserve some of the summer economic activity going forward. But the time to act is now.”

According to the NJDOH, the statewide COVID-19 count as of Wednesday, April 8th is 47,437 cases and 1,504 fatalities, an increase of 3,088 cases and 275 fatalities from Tuesday.

COVID-19 Cases by County
Data is provisional and subject to revision.

1,362 Positives Pending Further Information

4 Deaths Pending Further Information

Bergen County:

7,874 Positive Test Results

314 Deaths

Essex County:

5,598 Positive Test Results

276 Deaths

Hudson County:

5,437 Positive Test Results

122 Deaths

Union County:

4,831 Positive Test Results

125 Deaths

Passaic County:

4,372 Positive Test Results

71 Deaths

Middlesex County:

4,156 Positive Test Results

139 Deaths

Monmouth County:

3,038 Positive Test Results

86 Deaths

Ocean County:

2,856 Positive Test Results

101 Deaths

Morris County:

2,468 Positive Test Results

102 Deaths

Somerset County:

1,189 Positive Test Results

46 Deaths

Mercer County:

992 Positive Test Results

28 Deaths

Camden County:

838 Positive Test Results

22 Deaths

Burlington County:

801 Positive Test Results

17 Deaths

Sussex County:

357 Positive Test Results

21 Deaths

Gloucester County:

340 Positive Test Results

7 Deaths

Warren County:

289 Positive Test Results

9 Deaths

Hunterdon County:

255 Positive Test Results

2 Deaths

Atlantic County:

168 Positive Test Results

4 Deaths

Cape May County:

100 Positive Test Results

3 Deaths

Cumberland County:

80 Positive Test Results

2 Deaths

Salem County:

36 Positive Test Results

3 Deaths