Full Notification

CONFIRMED CASES
As of today, there are 267 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey, 15 of which are in Union County. This includes a third confirmed case in Westfield -- a 35 year-old female who is stable and managing symptoms at home. All individuals considered to be close contacts are in the process of being reached and asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. The three cases in Westfield to date are all unrelated.

STATE UPDATE
Governor Murphy has asked President Trump for the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in constructing temporary hospitals to ensure greater regional preparedness and help alleviate the strain on NJ hospitals.

Effective 8:00 PM tonight, all indoor retail shopping malls, amusement parks, and amusement centers across New Jersey will also be closed. Workers whose place of employment has closed, or whose hours have been cut, as a result of COVID-19 are, in all likelihood, eligible to receive either full or partial unemployment insurance, and the Governor is asking the federal government for assistance in ensuring that every unemployment insurance application is properly received and handled. 

• If your job has been directly impacted, visit nj.gov/labor for comprehensive info from New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

• A new page has been created to offer guidance to all businesses being impacted by COVID-19 at http://cv.business.nj.gov. 

• To apply for unemployment insurance, please visit www.MyUnemployment.nj.gov. 

In addition, the State’s economic team is working alongside the U.S. Small Business Administration to ensure that available financial relief can flow into New Jersey as quickly and efficiently as possible.

On the testing front, mobile testing centers will open shortly in Monmouth and Bergen Counties, with more to come for additional areas of the State. In the meantime, please remember to call your health care provider before arriving at a facility to be evaluated for any potential case of COVID-19.

LOCAL UPDATES
While our parks will continue to remain open for outdoor family time, we will be closing the public restrooms at Memorial and Tamaques in order to eliminate additional points of high community traffic. 

I would also like to issue another reminder to residents about social distancing, especially now that the realities of virtual learning are settling in for many families. Best practices mean avoiding playdates for the kids and ensuring you keep a safe distance of six to ten feet from others. I know it’s not easy, but this is our new reality for now -- and the sooner we all do our part, the sooner we can get through it. 

VIRTUAL DOWNTOWN
Thanks to everyone who is out supporting our local businesses with delivery and curbside pickup. Our business owners have shown incredible resilience and creativity in marketing their products -- from food, to wellness, to consumer goods. Your ongoing support is vital as we work through this temporary new normal. Please snap some photos of your local patronage and tag us (@TownofWestfield) on Facebook and Instagram so we can continue to spread the word.

COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE
Thank you to Chief Battiloro, who has redistributed his School Resource Officers to assist with broader community needs while the schools are not in session. They are currently assisting the Westfield Food Pantry and Mobile Meals on Wheels to get meals delivered as needed. 

Finally, don’t forget to join us tomorrow at 10:00AM for our next Facebook Live, where I’ll be available to answer additional questions. For those not on Facebook, we will have the replay available on YouTube and on TV 36.

Thanks for your ongoing support, and Happy St. Partrick’s Day!

-- Mayor Shelley Brindle