Coronavirus Information Update
Posted: March 18, 2020
Thanks to everyone for your continued patience during this ongoing health emergency. The following is a summary of the most recent information/actions related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
CONFIRMED CASES
As of today, there are 427 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Jersey, 19 of which are in Morris County. This includes a 5th confirmed case in Randolph—an individual in the age range of 28-71 who is not hospitalized. All individuals considered to be close contacts of the confirmed cases are in the process of being reached and asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. Of the five cases in Randolph to date, three are related and the others are 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 p.m. last evening, all indoor retail shopping malls, amusement parks and amusement centers across New Jersey were 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. 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 information from the 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 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.
The state’s human services commissioner announced today that there are new amendments to the Child Care Subsidy Program. The revised program will help provide access to critical child care subsidies while eligible parents attend jobs. For details, please visit https://bit.ly/2IVMjix.
On the testing front, mobile testing centers will open shortly in areas in Morris County and across 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 UPDATE
In the interest of caution and to reduce the risk of further spread for the COVID-19 virus, the township has taken the following actions:
Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020, the township will be implementing restrictions on public access for all public facilities (municipal building, DPW, library, community center, VFW, animal shelter and Brundage Park Playhouse). The recycling center will be open during regular business hours. Staff at all facilities will be continuing to work normal hours, however, access to the facilities will be managed by appointment only. The restrictions will be in place through April 1st. A reassessment will be conducted at that time and the restrictions will either be extended or lifted based upon the results of that situational assessment. Residents are encouraged to utilize online service options wherever possible and to call or e-mail the relevant department regarding any other matters of business.
In addition, the township trails will remain open, however, park facilities (athletic and turf fields; basketball, tennis and sand volleyball courts; restrooms; playgrounds; pavilions; skate park; lacrosse rink; and gazebo) at Brundage Park/Preserve, Freedom Park, Heistein Park, Kiwanis Park, Brundage Sussex, Randolph Park and Tamarack will be closed in order to eliminate additional points of high community traffic. Residents with questions regarding these parks and recreation restrictions may call the Randolph Township Recreation Department at 973.989.7081.