LATEST UPDATES
New Cases: Yesterday, Governor Murphy announced that an additional 846 new positive tests for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total up to 3,675. New Jersey now has the second highest number of positive tests. To date, 44 New Jersey residents have died from COVID-19.
State Finances: New Jersey State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio announced that the Treasury has frozen nearly a billion dollars in spending in response to the fiscal uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The entire bipartisan New Jersey Congressional Delegation sent a letter President Trump asking him to issue a Major Disaster Declaration for NJ due to COVID-19. Federal funds will allow New Jersey to provide Disaster Unemployment Insurance, Childcare Assistance and Disaster Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance.
Jobs and Assistance: Governor Murphy announced a new online portal to provide information to impacted small business owners. The portal includes information on Executive Orders, regulations impacting small businesses and access to financial assistance from the US Small Business Administration (SBA).
Education: Governor Murphy has petitioned the federal government to waive student standardized testing requirements for the current school year. Murphy expects this request to be granted.
Legislature: New Jersey lawmakers will make history Wednesday when members of the General Assembly will call into a conference line to cast their votes remotely on several bills related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Business Operations: Governor Murphy announced additional retail businesses that can operate during their normal business hours in accordance with Executive Order 107 and must comply with all social distancing requirements.
• Mobile phone retail and repair shops
• Bicycle shops (service & repair only)
• Livestock feed stores
• Nurseries and garden centers
• Farming and equipment stores
FEMA Region II is setting up field hospitals at the Meadowlands Expo Center, Edison Convention Center, Atlantic City Convention Center, and at a not yet determined State Police Search and Rescue Facility.
Philanthropic Aid: First Lady Tammy Murphy announced the formation of the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund, which will help raise and direct funds for “boots on the ground” services related to the statewide COVID-19 response.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
All NJ residents with questions or concerns about COVID-19 and resources available to them should visit: www.covid19.nj.gov
Residents can also call 2-1-1. NJ 211 is New Jersey’s statewide, comprehensive, information and referral service operated by United Ways of New Jersey.
Residents call also text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive text information and stay informed.
The State of NJ has established this link on COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus Information for New Jersey Businesses.
To anyone who has medical questions, Governor Murphy has established a 24-hour COVID 19 public hotline at 1-800-222-1222 (if you are using an out-of-state cell phone, you should instead call 1-800-962-1253).
US SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION LOANS
New Jersey’s small businesses and private non-profit organizations facing hardship due to the coronavirus outbreak are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans. These working capital loans are designed to help small and most non-profits meet their ordinary and financial business obligations during the pandemic.
Applicants may apply online and download applications at https://www.disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
NJ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY GRANTS
New Jersey small and medium sized businesses, as well as non-profits, are eligible to apply for grants for planning, designing, acquiring, constructing, improving, equipping or furnishing of a project as well as providing capital and funding to meet payroll requirements during the pandemic.
The NJEDA will be meeting later this week to develop regulations and details regarding the grant program. We will keep you informed as more information about these grants becomes available.
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