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

May 19, 2020

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE

Mercer County has reported, as of May 19, 2020, there have been 68 new cases for a total of 6,018 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases to date, and 14 additional deaths for a total, sadly, of 422 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 974 additional Confirmed COVID-19 Cases for a current total of 149,013 cases, and 151 additional deaths for a total of 10,586 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

Governor Murphy, on May 18, 2020, unveiled "The Road Back:  Moving Forward Cautiously," a multi-stage approach to execute a responsible and strategic economic restart to put New Jersey on the road back to recovery from COVID-19. The multi-stage blueprint, guided by the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission and Advisory Council, plans for a methodical and strategic reopening of businesses and activities based on level of disease transmission risk and essential classification.

For additional details CLICK HERE.

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 147 (CLICK HERE) on May 18, 2020, effective on Friday, May 22 at 6 A.M., allowing certain outdoor activities at recreational businesses, including archery ranges, batting cages, golf driving ranges, horseback riding, shooting ranges, and tennis clubs as well as community gardens, to open with required social distancing measures in place.  To limit physical interactions, the Order requires outdoor recreational businesses that reopen to limit capacity to 10 people at one time, to implement other reasonable restrictions to limit personal contact and to implement strict hygiene practices.  The Executive Order recommends, but does not require, that people wear a face covering while in public settings at outdoor recreational businesses and community gardens when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.  Other subjects specifically addressed in the Order are:

Community Gardens: Governor Murphy’s Executive Order permits community gardens to reopen so long as they comply with the same restrictions implemented at parks under Executive Order No. 133 (CLICK HERE).

All-Terrain Vehicle and Dirt Bike Rental Businesses: The Order allows all-terrain vehicle and dirt bike rental businesses to reopen to the public for “curb-side” pickup.  Such businesses must comply with the same restrictions required for non-essential retail businesses.

Golf Courses: The Order relaxes four of the restrictions on golf courses, allowing them to expand tee-times to four players, allow the use of forecaddies, offer club and equipment rentals, and reopen restrooms with disinfecting and hygiene protocols in place.

The Executive Order further clarifies that amusement parks and arcades, and other places of public amusement located at these businesses remain closed, including places of public amusement that are located at a place otherwise authorized to be open by any executive order issued after March 21, 2020, such as a boardwalk.

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission announced, effective immediately, the following documents, if expiring between March 13 and May 31, have been extended to July 31;  documents expiring June 30 are extended two months to August 31, and those expiring July 31 are extended to September 30:

• All Standard driver licenses (including permits) and standard non-driver IDs
• Privately owned and commercial vehicle registrations  
• Vehicle inspections
• Purple Heart/Disabled Veteran placards
• Temporary tags

On March 13, the NJMVC initially announced two-month extensions for licenses, registrations, and inspection stickers expiring in March, April, and May, timelines that have now been pushed back.  

The NJMVC encourages customers to utilize online services, which have been expanded during the COVID-19 crisis.  In most cases, customers can renew a license, replace a lost license, change an address, renew a registration, and complete other transactions through the NJMVC's online services portal.  Customers should check NJMVC.gov for the latest information and updates.

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.