LATEST UPDATES
Governor Murphy Picks Reps for Regional Council to Re-Open Mid-Atlantic Economies: The Governor named Dr. Richard Besser, a former acting director at the CDC during the Obama Administration and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Jeh Johnson, who was Secretary of Homeland Security, under President Obama, and his Chief of Staff George Helmey, to be New Jersey’s representatives on the council.
New Drive-thru Testing Site at American Dream: Hackensack Meridian Health, Agile Urgent Care and American Dream have partnered to open and operate an appointment only, drive-thru testing site primary for local police, first responders and frontline health care workers. The testing site is located at American Dream and is part of a screening initiative, led by the New Jersey State Policeman’s Benevolent Association (NJPBA). First responders can opt-in to the testing initiative by clicking here.
NJHMFA Suspends Rent Increases: Governor Murphy announced that the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) has voted to suspend rent increases at all eligible properties, which includes 36,000 rental units throughout the state.
New Jersey Considers Tapping Federal Reserve for Assistance: On Thursday, Governor Murphy said that he was considering borrowing as much as $9 billion from the US Federal Reserve to fill shortfalls in state revenues caused by statewide business closures, stay-at-home orders and record unemployment during the current coronavirus pandemic.
Medical Volunteers Needed: The State of New Jersey has set up a website portal for anyone with prior medical/healthcare experience who is looking volunteer to help fight COVID-19. More than 22,000 people have stepped up to volunteer so far.
NJ Dept. of Labor issues Guidance for Independent Contractors: The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) issued new guidance to help self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers, and platform workers learn about, and apply for, economic assistance.
Assistance may be available to workers impacted by COVID-19 – but not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits – through two federal programs: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and possibly the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
The NJDOL has prepared two downloadable guides to help interested individuals. Click here for more information.
Latest NJ COVID-19 Statistics: The number positive coronavirus test results in New Jersey has increased to a total of 85,301. The number of statewide coronavirus-related deaths is currently 4,202.
Good Neighbor Spotlight: New Jersey American Water and American Water Charitable Foundation have announced a $65,000 donation to local, New Jersey, COVID-19 related charities.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
All NJ residents with questions or concerns about COVID-19 and resources available to them should visit: www.covid19.nj.gov
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).
Testing Sites: There are currently 66 COVID-19 testing sites open across the state, including state-sponsored and private facilities. Click here to get updated information and locations of public testing sites.
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