OCHD can assist businesses and groups with the appropriate protocols

(Toms River) – Summer camps, hair salons, pools, child-care centers and youth sports are just a
few of the businesses and organizations that will start to re-open in the coming days and weeks
as New Jersey begins phase two of Governor Murphy’s re-start and recovery plan. Each business
has their own unique outdoor operation challenges but all must follow appropriate mitigation
requirements and guidelines.

“The Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) is getting plenty of calls from business owners
and managers seeking guidance in regards to specific requirements mandated for their business
or group,” said Daniel Regenye, OCHD Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer. “Everyone
wants to comply but it may be a little overwhelming at first because it’s all so new and some are
a combination of scenarios.”

Ocean County Freeholder and liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health, Gerry P. Little, is
pleased that many businesses will be reopening with outdoor amenities and expects everyone to
adhere to the appropriate mitigation requirements to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save
lives. “The Ocean County Health Department can offer any business owner, manager or group
leader with how to find the guidelines they’ll need to reopen and assist with any issues or
concerns they may have getting up and started. We’re here to help; whether it’s assistance for
long term care facilities during phase one to businesses in phase two and all the way until we
find a vaccine and beyond.”

So where can owners and managers go for guidance? The Ocean County Health Department
has a variety of resources that can help people find the information they need. The OCHD
website at www.ochd.org has links to New Jersey Department of Health COVID-19 Business
Information Hub. It’s a comprehensive site that covers guidance documents, reopening timelines,
checklists, and information on specific social distancing measures for different activities and
operations. The OCHD website also offers links to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) for risk assessments, guiding principles, reducing spread and maintaining
healthy environments. If you can’t find what you need there, try emailing us at COVID-
19@ochd.org and the OCHD staff will do their best to get the information requested.

“Remember these protocols are in place for the safety and protection of everyone – not just
employees and customers – but also the people they eventually will come in contact with,”
Regenye added. “If everyone follows these guidelines we hope that we’ll continue to see a
decrease in cases and limit any new spike down the road.”

Residents are also encouraged to access this information so they can educate themselves when
visiting these establishments or what to expect if their children are enrolled in camps, youth
leagues and day care centers or other summer outdoor activities.

Regenye went on to explain that with all these moving parts there will be some bumps along the
way. “Once again, the public health community is still writing the so-called “handbook” for
COVID-19 and as we learn more we’ll offer more appropriate guidance as we move into the
different phases of the epidemic. But right now we just want people to continue to do the right
thing and establish and maintain the protocols put in place to mitigate the spread of the COVID-
19 virus. We still encourage people to call the OCHD COVID-19 Information Hotline if they
have questions or need guidance. We’ve fielded close to 6,000 calls since March 9 and will
continue the service as we progress forward.”