LATEST UPDATES
New Jersey Reopens Auto Dealerships and Bike Shops: Governor Murphy signed an Administrative Order that allows for in-person sales at auto and motorcycle dealerships and bicycle shops, effective today.
Dining and Nonessential Retail Could Resume Soon: Governor Murphy said that the state’s restaurants could be able to serve diners outdoors and non-essential businesses could let shoppers inside stores within “a matter of weeks” as the state continues to scale back restrictions from the coronavirus pandemic.
The governor was speaking in the context of how it’s easier to lift restrictions on outdoor activities, like the announcements he made earlier in the week regarding outdoor recreational opportunities like batting cages, golf ranges and horseback riding.
NJ Considering Scenarios to Reopen Schools in September: With a coronavirus vaccine unlikely by early September, Governor Murphy said that state officials are “war gaming” what New Jersey schools will look like when the next academic year begins. Murphy also added that the state should have guidance on the matter “within the next number of weeks.”
In Stage 2 of the governor’s reopening plan, there is potential for some in-person learning with modifications at K-12 schools and colleges. In Stage 3, schools “may operate in person with reduced capacity.”
Murphy said Stage 2 could happen within weeks if the downward coronavirus trends continue. He added that face covering may become part of daily life for everyone, including students and teachers, for the foreseeable future.
NJ Health Department Releases Guidelines on Resuming Elective Surgeries: Earlier this week, the NJ Department of Health released these guidelines on the conditions for hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers to begin resuming elective surgeries
State Announces New Testing Partners: Governor Murphy announced several private sector testing partnerships this week. CVS will offer self-swab tests in more than 50 of their locations across the state. Also, beginning on May 22nd, self-administered COVID-19 tests will be available at 7 Walmart locations in New Jersey, from 7AM- 9AM, three says per week, weather permitting and by appointment only. For more information visit www.myQuestCOVIDTest.com
Good Neighbor Spotlight: The Paul and Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation has donated $100,000 to the Jersey City Medical Center to support the hospital’s care of coronavirus patients during the pandemic. The charitable foundation was created by Paul Fireman, the owner of Liberty National Golf Course.
Michael Prilutsky, the President and CEO of Jersey City Medical Center, said that Paul Fireman’s investment and commitment in Jersey City spans over two decades,” and noted that the former chairman and CEO of Reebok has donated more than $350,000 to the hospital over the last decade.
Latest NJ COVID-19 Statistics: The number positive coronavirus test results in New Jersey has increased to a total of 150,399. The number of statewide coronavirus-related deaths is currently 10,747.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
All NJ residents with questions or concerns about COVID-19 and resources available to them should visit: www.covid19.nj.gov
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).
Testing Sites: Click here to get updated information and locations of public testing sites.
Tweets from RCSG