First of all, some good news and answered prayers: I am happy to report that 11 of our neighbors have recovered from the virus. However – we now have 101 reported cases COVID-19, so this is no time to put our guard down. Today, Governor Murphy reported 2,196 new COVID-19 cases, bringing New Jersey’s total positive cases to 18,696 and 267 deaths statewide.
The Coronavirus or COVID-19 is continuing to devastate our communities. To slow the spread of the virus, there are simple commonsense things that we can do, such as staying home and keeping our distance. Unfortunately, there are still too many in our communities do not abide by simple steps to keep us all safe. As a result, the numbers of the infected are rising at an alarming rate.
Given the close proximity of our communities, I am partnering with the mayors of Newark, East Orange and Irvington to take collective action to reinforce our efforts against the Coronavirus.
Effective immediately, we will initiate the following four directives:
1. Operation Lockdown. For the safety and security of all residents, the municipalities will mobilize to put into effect a lockdown of each city by strictly enforcing the Governor’s 9:00 pm curfew order for the next 7 days. Municipal law enforcement will elevate its efforts from informing and encouraging compliance to full scale engagement of law enforcement procedures to force violators to comply with the curfew order.
–
2. Operation Wipe Down. Direct that three times per day all owners of senior citizen buildings use disinfectant to wipe down all touch points, including, but not limited to, elevator buttons, doors and doorknobs, mailboxes and countertops. The owner or his designee shall be required to complete a municipally created compliance form which shall be made available for inspection to a municipal building inspector upon demand.
–
3. Operation Clean Business. Direct that three times per day all owners of commercial establishments use disinfectant to wipe down all touch points, including, but not limited to, handles, doors and doorknobs, shelves, display cases and countertops. The owner or his designee shall be required to complete a municipally created compliance form which shall be made available for inspection to a municipal building inspector upon demand.
–
4. Mobil Wellness Checks. Municipal police will conduct roving patrols to observe and cite business owners who are not complying with the Governor’s Executive Orders regarding social distancing and occupancy levels in commercial establishments. At least one car in each sector shall use its public-address system to convey compliance messages as often as necessary while on regular patrol.
–
There drastic steps are in place to keep us all safe. Please follow these life-saving measures so that we all can return to normalcy as soon as possible.
Thank you all for your cooperation and please stay safe – by staying home.
