Full Notification

Fellow Leonians:

Just a few updates today, along with some important reminders. Please review the entire message, carefully, in order to ensure that you have the latest, official, correct information.
 
Current Status

• Current Cases: 
  • New Jersey (3,675): As of this afternoon, there are 3,675 presumptive positive or positive cases in New Jersey; this represents an increase of 831 from yesterday.
  • Bergen County (701): Of the total cases shown above, 701 are reported to be in Bergen County.  This represents an increase of 116 from yesterday.
  • Leonia (6):  Leonia continues to have six known cases (no new cases from yesterday).

The incidence rate continues to increase significantly, and will continue to do so, for the foreseeable future. New York State in general, and New York City in particular, is recognized as the U.S. “hot spot” for COVID-19, and it seems to be generally accepted that the virus has been in the New York metropolitan area for several weeks. Given the large number of New Jersey residents who have, until very recently, commuted to New York for business and pleasure, there is little question that New Jersey’s cases will also continue to increase significantly.
 
Updates/New Information

• Revised DPW Collection Schedule: As we continue to refine our continuity plans in order to ensure that we have essential staff available throughout the duration of the pandemic, we will at times find it necessary to alter the manner in which services are provided. Therefore, effective immediately, the following changes are being made to the DPW collection schedule:
  • Trash Collection: Suspended until further notice
  • Household Garbage Collection: Decreased to once per week, on Tuesdays

This will result in the following DPW collection schedule, which will be in effect until further notice:

• Mondays: Yard waste collection (town-wide)
• Tuesdays: Household garbage collection (town-wide)
• Wednesdays: Recycling collection (alternates between paper and glass/plastic; consult Borough calendar in order to determine which is being collected each week).

• Essential Businesses: This afternoon, the State Director of Emergency Management signed Administrative Order 2020-06, which designates additional businesses as essential. These are as follows:
• Mobile phone retail and repair shops
• Bicycle shops, but only to provide service and repair (sales are not permitted)
• Nurseries and garden centers

All essential businesses are, pursuant to Executive Order 107, required to ensure that proper social distancing and sanitary protocols are strictly followed.

• Leonia Cares Assistance Program: We will begin to roll out the Leonia Cares Assistance program within the next day; it will be implemented based on the areas of the community in which we have registered volunteers. We still have LOTS of areas that need Block Captains, and we still need young people (ages 18-25) to assist with obtaining the groceries for those who are being assisted, as well as picking up prescriptions.  The Program is being implemented utilizing the very best practices in social distancing and sanitary protocol; there will be NO person-to-person interaction between volunteers and those being assisted. To sign up to volunteer, please visit the following link: https://forms.gle/ykQZMLpK4jfJKRmj7.  This is a VERY important program; I urge all Leonians to strongly consider assisting.

Important Information and Reminders
 
Following are important reminders and information:

• Quarantined:  All Anna C. Scott School students and Staff, as well as Leonia Middle School students who attend SACC at ACS, and SACC staff working at ACS, should be in a self-quarantine period, through March 27, 2020.
• Shelter in Place:  Mandatory for ALL residents, except for certain essential activities. Additional details can be found here: https://www.leonianj.gov/Home/Components/News/News/109/179. 
• Exercise and Social Distancing: All Leonians are encouraged to get outside regularly, both for physical and mental well-being. If you choose to go for a walk or run with neighbors or friends, please remember the following social distancing protocols:
  • Do not participate in games with friends (indoor or outdoor), if they involve utilizing any shared items (i.e. basketballs, soccer balls, baseballs, softballs, etc.).
  • All who are participating should always remain at least six feet apart from each other.
  • If you approach others while you are out for a walk, cross the street or take other action to avoid getting closer than six feet to other people.
• Alternate Side of the Street Parking Restrictions: Suspended, until further notice. However, please utilize common sense when parking your vehicles on the street; all residents need to park in a manner so as to ensure that emergency vehicles can get through if necessary.

I was able to get out for a walk this afternoon with a couple of my youth soccer players (following proper social distancing protocols, of course!), and it really lifted my spirits (and hopefully theirs as well!); I definitely encourage everyone to get outside (weather permitting), and take a walk or run. It was also great to see everyone who was outside following the social distancing guidelines we’ve been communicating – well done, to all!
 
As this period of mandatory isolation continues, it’s only natural that tempers grow short, and frustration increases. We all need to accept that – and remember it when we’re dealing with each other, both inside and outside of our homes. There’s no doubt that this is an incredibly difficult time (and could get even more so); however, it will get better, and when it does, we’ll all recognize that even in these dark hours, we all will have learned a great deal from and about each other, and about ourselves.
 
I continue to be incredibly grateful to live in this wonderful, special community – and thank each and every Leonian for the sacrifices you are making, each and every day.
 
Judah Zeigler
Mayor
Borough of Leonia
[email protected]