Below is an update from Mayor Bhalla:
I want to once again strongly urge all Hoboken residents to practice strict social distancing - which means remaining at a distance of six feet apart - in Hoboken parks and all public locations today, especially given the anticipated mild weather. Unfortunately, if this cannot occur and clusters of people are gathering without practicing social distancing, we will be left with no choice but to close the parks immediately to protect the public from the further spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Residents must consider the very real risk of exposure to COVID-19 in public locations, especially parks. An interaction today that spreads COVID-19 which will not be detected for another week to two weeks, and by then containment efforts will be too late. I thank everyone for their cooperation and understanding.
Hoboken position on Stevens Institute of Technology move-out policy
Yesterday, I spoke with staff from Stevens, after hearing directly from multiple students, parents of students, and residents who were very concerned with a notice from Stevens, telling students to move out of the Stevens campus, and off campus living (within residential Hoboken) by March 27. Students, parents and residents were concerned that the directive was contrary to the Hoboken self-isolation policy. I share those very substantial concerns and asked Stevens to consider alternative arrangements.
The administrators from Stevens informed me that they would give very real consideration to any student (or parent) who would like to stay in their housing or for those already at home, to stay at home without having to come back, in order to self-isolate given COVID-19. While Hoboken cannot lawfully rescind certain aspects of the Stevens order, I strongly suggest those students and parents make that direct request to delay moving out if they so wish, due to COVID-19 concerns. I urge Stevens in the strongest terms to consider the very legitimate health concerns of those students who wish to remain in self isolation, at home or on campus, and not be forced to move out at this time.
