LATEST UPDATES
Non-essential construction stops in NJ: Governor Murphy signed an executive order ceasing all non-essential construction in New Jersey, starting at 8:00 PM on Friday, April 10, 2020. Exceptions to the executive order include hospital and school construction, transportation and utility sector, building of affordable housing, additional housing projects that allow for social distancing and emergency repairs and work related to safely secure a construction site.
Click here for more information on Executive Order No. 122.
New rules for retail: Governor Murphy also imposed further restrictions on essential retail stores, especially grocery stores. The executive order requires retailers to limit the number of customers allowed in the store at one time, to 50% of normal capacity. Both employees and customers must now wear face coverings. Stores must also provide special shopping hours for high-risk individuals. Stores are requested to put physical barriers between customers and cashiers and baggers and regularly sanitize areas used by their employees.
State and county parks closed: As of sunset Tuesday, Governor Murphy ordered the closing of all state and local parks and forests. New Jersey residents are permitted to go outside, but they must abide by social distancing rules.
Student assessment requirements waived: Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 117, waiving the 2019-20 school year assessment graduation requirements for 8th and 12th graders. Approximately 13,000 twelfth students, who have not yet met the assessment requirement, were expected to submit a portfolio appeal which is no longer necessary.
Primary Election Day postponed: Governor Murphy has signed an executive order officially moving New Jersey’s Primary election Day from June 2, 2020 to July 7, 2020.
NJEDA’s Small Business Loan Program: On Monday, April 13, 2020 the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will begin accepting online applications for its Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program. This is a $10 million program that will provide working no-to-low interest loans of up to $100,000 to businesses with less than $5 million
For more information on how to apply for this program, click here.
Latest NJ COVID-19 statistics: New Jersey’s coronavirus rates continue to climb, adding another 3,088 positive tests since yesterday, bringing the statewide total up to 47,437. New Jersey had another 275 coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the statewide total to 1,504.
Good neighbor spotlight: Since Mid-March, Wawa has been assisting organizations that have been helping feed the hungry during the coronavirus pandemic by way of grant funding. Since its establishment, the Wawa Foundation has contributed $119,500 to 27 charitable organizations.
Wawa’s donation in New Jersey have went to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, the Community Food Bank of NJ, Food Bank of South Jersey, Inc., The Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and Mercer Street Friends Center.
Wawa also provided a 53-foot refrigerated truck to Bergen County, in response to the need for to take the pressure off of morgues and funeral homes, to temporarily house the bodies of those who tragically passed.
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 in NJ: An online portal is available 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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