Full Notification

Below is an update from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla on COVID-19:

Impact of COVID-19 in Hoboken 
 
The Hoboken Health Department has confirmed the following new COVID-19 cases: 
 
August 29: 0 new cases 
August 30: 4 
August 31: 0 
September 1: 1 
September 2: 1 
 
The Health Department was also provided with an additional 14 COVID-19 cases to add to Hoboken’s total that were only recently provided to the City due to a reporting issue at one of the labs. These 14 cases were Hoboken residents testing positive since August 10, over a span of 21 days. Hoboken’s total of COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic is currently 718 known, confirmed cases. 667 of those residents have been identified as having fully recovered from COVID-19. Fatalities remain unchanged at 31.  
 
Help available for those struggling to pay rent 
 
The deadline for the Hudson County CARES Act Eviction Prevention Program has been extended until Thursday, September 10th at 5pm. Hoboken residents who need rental assistance due to COVID-19 and meeting certain criteria are encouraged to apply. The application link as well as additional details can be found at https://cares.hcnj.us 
 
Restaurants permitted to re-open indoors at 25% capacity 
 
Earlier this week, Governor Murphy signed an Executive Order permitting restaurants and bars to re-open at 25% capacity as of Friday at 6:00 am. According to the Executive Order, the following rules and regulations have been established for restaurants: 

• No consuming of beverages or food while standing 
• All orders must be placed while seating 
• Food and beverages must be brought to tables by wait staff to seated customers 
• 25% capacity, excluding employees 
• Seating limited to 8 customers per table 
• Minimum of six feet of distance between chairs between tables 

Following the State’s guidelines, we are also recommending that restaurants keep doors and windows open whenever possible, and to use fans to improve ventilation indoors. 
 
Continuing outdoor dining  
 
The expanded outdoor dining options with parklets and streateries have been a well-utilized option for restaurants and customers this summer. My administration is working with the City Council to extend these options into next year, given the limitations on indoor capacity and safer environment of remaining outdoors. When patronizing our restaurants and bars, I encourage customers to utilize as much outdoor dining as possible in the coming months. 
 
So restaurants can continue providing outdoor service, we are also working on providing guidance, which should soon be available, on appropriate equipment and procedures to install heating lamps for outdoor dining in the winter months.  
 
Feedback from residents 
 
Staff from City Hall has been working diligently with our business owners to facilitate a safe and socially distanced experience for customers. I thank the vast majority our business owners for taking appropriate precautions during the pandemic. If residents have feedback regarding any situation where they may feel unsafe, please email [email protected] so our staff can follow up.  
 
Summer and Open Streets continue this weekend
 
In partnership with the Hoboken Business Alliance, we are bringing back our “summer” and “open streets” Thursday (today) – Sunday to continue providing additional room for residents for safe outdoor activities, and patronizing of local businesses.
 
Thursday and Friday:

• 14^th Street between Bloomfield Street and Hudson Street is closed to vehicular traffic for “summer streets” (socially distant outdoor dining), 5 pm – 11 pm
• Sinatra Drive between Newark Street and 4^th Street – vehicular traffic will be restricted

Saturday and Sunday:

• Washington Street between 1^st Street and 7^th Street will be closed to traffic for an “open street”, 5 pm – 10 pm cross streets remain open to traffic (“No Parking” signs will be placed at the cross streets, which will be open to delivery drivers and customers picking up food and goods for up to 15 minutes)
• 1^st Street between Garden Street and Washington Street will be closed to traffic, 11 am – midnight
• Sinatra Drive between Newark Street and 4^th Street – closed to vehicular traffic all day

COVID-19 testing in Hoboken
 
The CERT hotline (201-420-5621, 9 am - 1 pm) for residents to schedule COVID-19 testing at the Riverside Medical site will be closed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday for the Labor Day weekend. Prompt MD’s pop up site at 605 Jackson Street will not offer testing next week, but will re-open for testing on Monday, September 14. As a reminder if you are getting a COVID-19 test at both testing sites – if you have insurance, please provide it so the cost of the test can be paid for by your insurance company. The City is only paying for the full cost of a COVID-19 for those without insurance. Thank you again to all of the CERT members for the continued support at facilitating COVID-19 tests during the pandemic.
 
Movie theaters and indoor performance venues  
 
Governor Murphy’s Executive Order also permits theaters and indoor performance venues to re-open on Friday, at 25% capacity with a maximum of 150 people. All groups must sit at least six feet apart from other groups, and masks must be worn unless consuming food or beverages. 
  
Gyms re-opening at 25% capacity and continuing outdoor workouts 
 
As a reminder to gyms and participants, Governor Murphy’s Executive Order includes face mask requirements, including when exercising. While gyms and health clubs are permitted to re-open at 25% indoors, we are continuing to provide the option for socially distant, outdoor workouts in certain fields and parks. We encourage gyms to provide outdoor options for customers whenever possible. We are also expanding capacity limits for the socially distant, outdoor workouts to 30 participants per class.
 
Helping the Hoboken Shelter 
 
Due to COVID-19, the Hoboken Shelter has made the decision to move its annual HoBOOken 5K fundraising event online. The virtual activities planned for the event include a t-shirt design contest, virtual costume contest, a virtual scavenger hunt for kids, and more. All proceeds from the event benefit the Hoboken Shelter, which serves 530 meals daily, 1,000 showers weekly, and sheltering 50 people nightly. For more information on the event and to sign-up, please visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/AnyCityAnyState/HoBOOken5K.