LATEST UPDATES
New Funding for Health Care Providers: Governor Murphy announced two new initiatives that will assist health care organizations with expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Murphy announced a $140 million pre-payment to health care providers to support preparations related to COVID-19. Additionally, the governor announced that the New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority (NJHCFFA) has launched a $6 million emergency loan program to assist New Jersey’s health care organizations during this time.
More Ventilators on the Way: Governor Murphy announced that the federal government has agreed to ship 300 ventilators to New Jersey from the national stockpile. Murphy said, “Ventilators are our number one need right now. I won’t stop fighting for the equipment we need to save very life we can.”
More Hospital Beds: Governor Murphy announced an additional 1,300+ hospital beds will become available in previously closed hospitals throughout the state. New Jersey has partnered with the US Army Corps of Engineers to stand up three new regional field medical stations, adding another 1,000 hospital beds.
NJ School Update: Last week, Governor Murphy reported that school closures in the state will last well into next month, saying he “won’t be prepared to revisit the closure until at least April 17, at the very earliest.” He said he wouldn’t likely make another announcement about the future of schools until closer to that date.
New Cases: Today, Governor Murphy announced that an additional 3,347 New Jersey residents have been tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday, bringing the statewide total to 16,636. 37 New Jersey residents have lost their lives since yesterday, bringing the total number of COVID-9 related New Jersey deaths to 198.
Updates to Executive Order 107: During today’s press conference, Governor Murphy announced the following updates to Executive Order 107:
- Auto dealerships are now able to conduct online or remote sales. Dealers can deliver directly to customers houses or arrange for curbside or service lane pickup at a dealership.
- Realtors can operate and show houses to prospective buyers on a 1-on-1 basis or to immediate families. There is still a prohibition on open houses.
- Golf courses are closed as recreational businesses.
Guns & Gasoline: Governor Murphy also announced that gun retailers in New Jersey can open as essential businesses, based off of business guidelines developed by the Department of Homeland Security. Gun shops may open by appointment only and for limited hours.
Murphy said he has no plans to lift New Jersey’s ban on self-serve gasoline service.
Joint Federal-State Fraud Task Force: The Office of the New Jersey Attorney General, the New Jersey State Comptroller and the US Attorney for New Jersey have formed a joint task force to investigate and prosecute misconduct including unlawful hoarding of medical supplies, price gouging, charity scams, procurement fraud and more. To report COVID-a9 related crimes, call (866) 720-5721 or e-mail disaster@leo.gov
COVID-19 RESOURCES
All NJ residents with questions or concerns about COVID-19 and resources available to them should visit: www.covid19.nj.gov
The State of NJ has established this link on COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus Information for New Jersey Businesses.
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.
CARES Act: The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed in Congress are intended to assist small business owners with whatever needs they have right now. For more information on the small business owner’s guide to the CARES Act, click here.
Jobs and Assistance: 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)
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