Full Notification

Impact of COVID-19 in Hoboken
 
The Hoboken Health Department reported three new cases of COVID-19 in Hoboken on Friday, one on Saturday, and none on Sunday, Monday and today (the Riverside testing site was closed on Sunday and Monday). The total amount of known, confirmed COVID-19 cases since March is 567, and 29 total COVID-19 related fatalities.
 
Testing for all residents and business employees
 
As announced earlier today with Dr. Brahmbhatt and Council President Giattino, we are opening up the Riverside testing facility to employees of any Hoboken business. This is an important aspect of preparing for a safe re-opening, restoring confidence to customers and lending a hand to our small businesses during this pandemic. The process remains the same for both residents, business owners and employees – please call the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hotline at City Hall at 201-420-5621 to arrange a test. We are encouraging business owners to please provide a list of employees and their telephone numbers to our CERT team when calling the hotline.
 
I’m please to share that we already had over 40 phone calls to our CERT hotline today from employees of small businesses in the city, which means businesses are already taking advantage of this new option.
 
CERT Hotline
 
Our CERT hotline, which has been in operation since the early days of the pandemic, will operate with new hours starting this week, from Monday through Friday from 9 am until 5 pm. This number should be used for general COVID-19 related inquiries, as well as to arrange a COVID-19 related test from Riverside.
 
The CERT team asked me to relay an important aspect about Riverside’s COVID-19 test – when an individual arrives at the testing site to receive a test at the facility following an appointment, the test result itself, when administered, is “rapid” and received within 15 minutes on site. The process for booking an appointment is not technically “rapid” as once someone calls the CERT hotline, the CERT team refers those individuals to Riverside, who then confirms an appointment. Typically, an appointment is granted within 48 hours. If you know you need a COVID-19 test by a certain date, please call the CERT hotline as soon as you can.
 
Antibody testing
 
I’m pleased that our relationship with Prompt MD and Power Analytics is continuing for our antibody testing. We are currently up to approximately 6,000 residents who have signed up for a test, with nearly 700 receiving one on our first day last week. The testing at the 7^th and Jackson gymnasium continues this week where we anticipate another several hundred residents will be tested for antibodies. If you signed up for a test, Prompt MD/Power Analytics will ensure you receive confirmation of a testing date in the next several days. Everyone who signed up for a test will have the opportunity to receive one, with additional dates added in June.
 
It’s not too late to sign up for an antibody test – if you haven’t done so already please visit http://www.hobokennj.gov/antibody to register. Please note walk-ins will not be permitted.
 
Open Streets to continue
 
I believe this past Sunday was the most successful day of open streets we have had to date in Hoboken. I’m grateful for how much residents exercised social responsibility - most were wearing masks, social distancing appropriately, and not congregating in the street. At a time where we see reports from across the country of people behaving irresponsibly with large groups and congregating, I’m proud that our residents are using our open spaces in a way that does not jeopardize the safety of others. Thanks to this, we will be working with our transportation team and police department to continue the program for this upcoming weekend and beyond.
 
Applications for streateries and parklets, and open streets
 
In order to maximize outdoor capacity, businesses are encouraged to submit applications for strEATERIES, parklets, and open streets here. As a reminder to businesses, we are waiving sidewalk café fees for 2020, and those businesses that have already obtained their 2020 Sidewalk Café License do not need to re-apply for expanded sidewalk use. Fees for 2020 will be credited to 2021.
 
Additionally, once the Governor permits outdoor dining at restaurants, sidewalk cafes can expand area with or without barriers, so long as 6 feet of sidewalk width is maintained. Businesses can expand outdoor cafes to adjacent properties with the neighboring property owner’s consent. For more information on Hoboken’s Business Recovery Plan, click here.
 
Finally, a belated Eid Mubarak to all those who celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr, also known as a festival celebrated by Muslims to end the holy month of Ramadan.
 
Sincerely,

Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla