Full Notification

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

Impact of COVID-19 in Hoboken
 
Hoboken had no new, confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or today, with 571 know, confirmed cases and 30 fatalities. Dr. Brahmbhatt from Riverside Medical confirmed that through four days of testing for those who attended the peaceful demonstration for racial justice, none tested positive.
 
One reason why I believe that there have been no positive COVID-19 cases as of today from the peaceful demonstration is because the large majority of participants wore face masks. This is not a coincidence – please help our City stay safe and wear face masks when outdoors, and protect our frontline workers and vulnerable populations from possible exposure.
 
Outdoor dining and in-store retail begins today
 
Today was a welcome day for our small businesses, as outdoor dining and in-person retail (at 50% capacity) resumed. Our business recovery plan has been in full effect, with over 50 businesses expanding outdoor operations with larger sidewalk cafes, parklets, streateries, and more. With indoor dining restricted, we’re doing everything we can to help our businesses use space outdoors.
 
If you’re a business owner, please take precautions to ensure tables and chairs are six feet apart, and take all necessary sanitizing procedures, which can be viewed by clicking here. For customers, please be sure to wear face masks to and from all outdoor dining establishments, as they are also required to be worn in order to use the restroom in the establishment.
 
And, please consider tipping your servers well as many have been out of work for some time, and if you’re ordering takeout or delivery, please call the restaurant directly instead of utilizing a third party mobile application.
 
Resuming regular garbage pickup
 
With the resumption of outdoor dining, we are going back to the regular scheduled trash pickup of 7:30 pm citywide and 9:00 pm on Washington Street going forward. For additional information on collection schedules, please visit hobokennj.gov/waste.
 
Hoboken Public Library
 
Starting today, residents can return library books and other materials by placing them in the library book/media dropbox in front of the library (500 Park Avenue) from 10 am till 3 pm. Starting Monday, June 22^nd, the library will begin no contact "curbside pickup" service.  Library patrons will be able to reserve the materials online, place their orders via email to [email protected], or call (201) 4202346, ext. 5102. For additional details, please visit hobokenlibrary.org.
 
Gradual resumption of recreation opportunities for kids
 
We continue to evaluate ways to resume recreation options for children in a socially distanced, non-contact manner. Last week, we resumed Little League baseball drills and practices that utilize safety precautions with no direct contact. Thank you to the organizers of the Little League for working with the City to organize this option. We will evaluate recreation options on a case by case basis that minimizes risk to our children while facilitating healthy, outdoor activities.
 
Postponing playground re-openings
 
Given the progress we’ve made in Hoboken, low new infection rates and sanitizing procedures we put in place, we made the initial decision to open playgrounds this Thursday, which we announced on social media yesterday. After Governor Murphy’s office reached out today, the State has respectfully asked us to postpone playground re-openings until the Governor gives the go ahead for this to occur for the entire State.
 
While we had no indication that this was not in our authority, out of respect to the Governor’s phased approach, we have agreed to wait for the State to make this re-opening decision before re-opening playgrounds.
 
Update from Superintendent Christine Johnson on fitness options
 
Below is an update directly from Superintendent Johnson regarding some additional fitness sessions for students, as sent out to parents in her regular update:
 
“In an effort to bring children together, employing the same guidelines mentioned above, the Hoboken Public School District will operate a range of daily, hourly fitness-oriented sessions for our students and to children in the community. Registration will be open to Hoboken Public School District students first and then to the remainder of the community if seats are still available. Sessions that are developed for preschool through 5th grade children have a cap of 20 participants. One parent must also attend and stay on the premises. Sessions that are developed for 6th grade students or older have a cap of 20 participants. A parent is not needed to attend.
 
To enroll your child in a class, please review the available time slots and click on the button to sign up. Only students/parents who have preregistered for the available courses will be permitted to enter JFK Stadium. All classes will be canceled during inclement weather. There will be no makeup dates. Courses with 5 or fewer registrants will be canceled.
 
These courses are free of charge and first come first serve! Click here for registration information.”
 
Dr. Johnson and the schools have also opened the track behind Columbus Park at JFK Stadium for use for residents to jog and walk between 7 am and 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm Monday through Friday, from July 13th through July 31^st. Social distancing guidelines will be in effect, while pets are not permitted on the track or turf field.
 
Thank you Hoboken,
 
Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor