Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update 4/1/2020

STAY SAFE AT HOME & Practice Social Distancing:

           As we roll into April and enter another month of social distancing, the Borough would like to remind everyone that now is the time to redouble your efforts especially with the warmer weather coming. Slow the spread – stay safe at home. All of our residents are doing an outstanding job helping one another – whether it is our senior assistance program, those donating PPE and food to hospitals and first responders, or those helping out friends, neighbors, or even strangers. Thank you for all your efforts and know that we will get through this crisis together as a community.   

           To mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and protect the capacity of New Jersey's health care system for the state's most vulnerable, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 107 on March 21, 2020, directing all residents to stay at home until further notice. The order provides for certain exceptions, such as:

• Obtaining essential goods or services
• Seeking medical attention
• Visiting family or close friends
• Reporting to work
• Engaging in outdoor activities.

           In effort to strengthen the existing social distancing measures in place, the order also prohibits all gatherings of individuals, such as parties, celebrations, or other social events, unless otherwise authorized by the Order. When in public, individuals must practice social distancing and stay at least six feet apart whenever possible, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.

           Governor Murphy's Executive Order further directs the closure of all non-essential retail businesses to the public, with the exceptions of:

           Grocery stores, farmer's markets and farms that sell directly to customers, and other food stores, including retailers that offer a varied assortment of foods comparable to what exists at a grocery store;

• Pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensaries;
• Medical supply stores;
• Gas stations;
• Convenience stores;
• Ancillary stores within healthcare facilities;
• Hardware and home improvement stores;
• Banks and other financial institutions;
• Laundromats and dry-cleaning services;
• Stores that principally sell supplies for children under five years;
• Pet stores;
• Liquor stores;
• Car dealerships, but only for auto maintenance and repair, to deliver online purchases directly to customers, or to arrange for curbside pickup;
• Printing and office supply shops;
• Mail and delivery stores;
• Bars and restaurants for drive-through, delivery, and takeout only;
• Mobile phone retail and repair shops (added 3/24/20);
• Bicycle shops, but only to provide service and repair (added 3/24/20);
• Livestock feed stores (added 3/24/20);
• Nurseries and garden centers (added 3/24/20);
• Farming equipment stores (added 3/24/20);
• Child care centers, but only if they certify by Friday, March 27 that they will only serve children of essential workers starting April 1 (added 3/25/20);
• Realtors, but only to show houses 1-on-1 (open houses are prohibited) (added 3/30/20);
• Firearms retailers, by appointment only and during limited hours (added 3/30/20);
• Microbreweries or brewpubs for home delivery only (added 3/30/20);

           All retail businesses that are not considered "essential businesses" - If your business is a retail business that operates with a physical location that the public accesses your services from, you must close your business to the public. Delivery and online operations of retail businesses may continue.

How to Protect Yourself from the Coronavirus:

• Know how it spreads:
  • There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
  • The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
  • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• Take steps to protect yourself:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact:
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Put 6 feet between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
• Clean and Disinfect:
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.'
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

           Click here for more CDC Guidelines and Information

NJ Tax Filing Deadline Extended:

• Today, April 1, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy announced that the tax filing deadline and corporation business tax filing deadline will be extended from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. More information: https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/njit17.shtml

Attorney General Grewal Imposes Emergency Statewide Restrictions on Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine:

           The Administrative Order, which applies effective immediately and until further notice, mandates that any prescription for a drug in short supply due to its use in possible treatment of COVID-19, such as hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, must include a diagnosis or diagnostic code and should be supported in the patient’s record. Prescriptions without this information are invalid and may not be filled by pharmacists.

           To address concerns about inappropriate prescribing, prescribers are not to prescribe medications in short supply as prophylaxis against COVID-19 for the prescriber’s family or friends or to stockpile the drugs for office use. In addition, all prescriptions written should be for treatment of conditions within the prescriber’s scope of practice. So, for example, podiatrists, dentists and veterinarians should not be writing prescriptions for medications designed to treat COVID-19. Pharmacists should not fill prescriptions if they believe the prescriber is acting outside the scope of their practice.

           Hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine may be prescribed and dispensed for treatment of COVID-19 only if supported by a positive test result, which must be documented on the prescription, and limited to a 14-day supply, with no refills permitted.

           The order’s limitations do not apply to orders of medications for inpatient hospital use, or for use in federal or state clinical trials.

           The order also does not limit prescriptions of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for patients being treated with maintenance prescriptions for preexisting conditions, such as lupus or other autoimmune diseases. These patients may continue to obtain refills of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, and are not subject to the 14-day limitation.

            In addition, pharmacists may exercise judgment when filling or refilling prescriptions for medications that may soon be in short supply due to increased demand of certain drugs or drug delivery systems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the demand for metered dose inhalers has increased. A pharmacist may prudently dispense only one metered dose inhaler when a prescription was written for three.

            Suspected violations of the Division’s order should be reported to the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners at https://www.nj.gov/lps/ca2/bme/complaintform/complaints.htm.

            Click here to view full press release

NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development Extends Closings Amid COVID-19; Emphasizes Web, Virtual Services Available:

             In the ongoing effort to balance public safety with public service, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has extended the closing of its facilities to the public by two weeks due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency.

             The Department understands that times of crisis can bring about uncertainty, anxiety and fear. But, NJDOL is committed to serving all of its customers just as quickly and efficiently as possible, without endangering the health and safety of the public or our own staff.

              Anticipated reopening of all One-Stop Career Centers, Labor Department headquarters at 1 John Fitch Way, Trenton, Disability Determination Services and Workers’ Compensation courts is Monday, April 13.

              Workers’ Compensation hearings will resume virtually on April 6.

               The Labor Department will continue to monitor the situation closely due to ongoing concern for the health and safety of customers and staff.

               Web-based services are being offered at nj.gov/labor. Residents are encouraged to check the site often with the latest information on programs, benefits and services for residents and businesses impacted by the virus.

                For customers who are having trouble accessing online applications, please be patient. Record volumes of claims have stressed our systems. However, capacity has been added, and dedicated Labor Department staff members are working longer hours and expanding the window of service hours to get benefits into the hands of everyone who deserves them as quickly as possible.

• Customers can help this process go as smoothly as possible by doing the following:
  • Apply online whenever possible
  • Apply during off-peak hours; traffic is lightest after 10 pm and before 7 am
  • Visit the website and read about available programs BEFORE applying; applying for the right program will speed the processing of the claim
  • Fill out the application completely – do not leave out required information, which will delay processing of the claim
  • Once an applicant has applied for benefits and received a confirmation message, their claim is being processed as quickly as possible.
  • Customers who can’t get through immediately should not worry. Claims are being backdated so no one will lose a week of benefits

Anyone with questions or concerns is urged to visit our website – nj.gov/labor, which contains valuable information on our programs and benefits, FAQs, an eligibility chart in English and Spanish, online application forms and more. View the press release here. 

Census Day:

• Lastly, today, April 1, 2020, is Census Day and we all have a crucial role to play. Filling out the 2020 Census determines what the next decade will look like for your community: your roads, health care, schools, representation and more.
• Most households received their invitation to respond to the 2020 Census between March 12-20. These official Census Bureau mailings included detailed information and a Census ID for completing the Census online.
• In addition to an invitation to respond, some households will receive a paper questionnaire (sometimes known as the census form). You do not need to wait for your paper questionnaire to respond to the Census. Please complete your census form online, by phone, or by mail when your invitation to respond arrives. The Census is one per household, so be sure to include everyone living at your house as of April 1st. It takes just a few minutes by mail, phone or online at http://my2020census.gov.