Mayor Janice Mironov and Members of Council -- Denise Daniels, Anthony Katawick, Marc Lippman, David Russell, Johnnie Whittington and John Zoller -- Present

April 29, 2020

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE

Mercer County has reported, as of April 29, 2020, there have been 120 new cases for a total of 3725 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases to date, and 8 additional deaths for a total of 220 deaths in Mercer County. All active cases are either at home self-isolating or admitted to the hospital. The State of New Jersey today reported 2,408 additional Confirmed COVID-19 Cases for a current total of 116,264 cases, and 328 additional deaths for a total of 6,770 COVID-19 related deaths statewide. For all further information and data related to COVID-19 cases, go to the New Jersey official COVID-19 dashboard (CLICK HERE).

It is important that everyone continue practicing social distancing, following the advice and directives of health care professionals and government officials, and using good sense, so we can all get through this difficult period together. We need to remember that the most effective and most caring responsible thing we can continue to do for ourselves, our loved ones and our entire community is to continue to do what we are doing.

If you are concerned about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one during the current crisis, NJMentalHealthCares is available 7 days a week from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. at (866) 202-HELP (4357).

STATE OF NEW JERSEY UPDATES

1. Governor Murphy announced today, April 29, 2020, the Reopening of State Parks and Allowing Reopening of Golf Courses effective at sunrise on Saturday May 2. County parks have the option to reopen. Social distancing will continue to be mandated, passive recreation will be allowed, subject to restrictions that include: parking capped at 50 percent of capacity; playgrounds, pavilions, visitor centers and restrooms will remain closed; picnics, organized activities and team sports will remain prohibited. The state recommends wearing a face covering when social distancing is difficult to maintain.

2. The State Director of Emergency Management issued Administrative Order 2020-10 (CLICK HERE) providing clarification on essential businesses. The order expands essential businesses to include pet grooming, pet daycare, pet boarding, and stores that principally sell items for religious observation or worship, however they must adopt an in-person operation that includes social distancing. In addition, car dealerships are permitted to have customers that have ordered and/or purchased vehicles online or by phone to test drive the vehicle at the time of pick-up or prior to delivery. The car dealership must adopt in- person operations that include social distancing, permit the individual to have access to the vehicle alone, and appropriately clean and sanitize the vehicles after the test drive if the customer does not purchase the vehicle.

Finally, the order clarifies that personal care service facilities ordered closed by Executive Order No. 107 (CLICK HERE) paragraph 9(g) are not permitted to provide personal care services in their own homes, home of their clients or others. Personal care facilities include beauty salons, barber shops, hair braiding shops, nail salons, massage parlors, spas, tattoo parlors, and tanning salons. There is an exception for members of their household, immediately family, or other individuals with whom the provider has a close personal relationship. A prior business relationship does not qualify as a close personal relationship.

The New Jersey Department of Labor has posted step-by-step instructions for those going online to claim weekly unemployment benefits. The guide can be found HERE. The Department of Labor has also posted unemployment benefit information for Self-Employed Workers during the Coronavirus Emergency. The information can be found HERE.

For general questions and concerns about COVID-19:

• Call: 2-1-1
• Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
• Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
• Visit covid19.nj.gov for additional information

PRIOR UPDATES

For prior updates and resources visit the EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP COVID-19 information webpage:
www.east-windsor.nj.us/COVID

Residents are advised to check the Township website at www.east-windsor.nj.us, read E-News Alerts, tune into Community Access TV Comcast Channel 27 and Verizon Channel 38, or call the municipal information hotline at (609) 443-4000, ext. 400, for schedule updates.