UPDATE: Bergen County Executive James Tedesco has rescinded his executive order at the request of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, read the updated story here.
HACKENSACK—An executive order calling for the shut down of all non-essential commerce—a measure the County Executive claimed is necessary to save lives and slow the spread of the novel Coronavirus COVID-19—has been delayed until Saturday, March 21 at at 8 a.m. to “provide additional clarity and to be in conjunction with state government.”
Bergen County Executive James Tedesco read the order at a Monday, March 16 press conference, saying no more than four people—other than family members—should congregate in public and “no worldly employment or business shall be performed or practiced by any person or entity within the County of Bergen until further notice except as expressly permitted…”
The viral pandemic may spread to a majority of the population, officials warn, worrying a crush of patients may overwhelm hospitals already dealing with a shortage of intensive care units and ventilators.
Restrictions on civil society are aimed at slowing the spread of the virus, officials have said.
With no vaccine or therapeutic treatment, White House’s Coronavirus response coordinator Amb. Deborah Birx said Monday “the only thing we have right now is the amazing ingenuity and compassion of the American people.”
With Coronavirus testing availability shortages, Tedesco said he hopes a drive-thru testing facility will open at Bergen Community College in Paramus by the end of the week, the first in New Jersey.
Tedesco attempted to accelerate restrictions
Admitting his latest restrictions on civil society had not been approved by the New Jersey Attorney General, Tedesco said he had the moral authority to act.
His order provides special exemptions to the following businesses, noting all must still adhere to Centers for Disease Control guidelines, including social distancing by staying more than six feet away from others.
Scheduled to go into effect March 17, a county spokesperson later said it will not be implemented until Saturday, but that “the County aspects of the Executive Order stay in effect.”
What will be permitted?
• Preparation and the sale of drugs, meals, and prepared food will be permitted.
• Take out sale of take-out sale of alcoholic beverages, newspapers, pet food and sanitary pet products, gasoline and food products will be permitted subject to the conditions and limitations.
• Auto repair shops will be permitted to remain open only if attached to and part of a gasoline station.
• Health care facilities shall remain open with the exception of dental care facilities, which shall close except as may be deemed necessary by a licensed dentist to treat emergency conditions.
• Law firms, other entities or individuals specifically licensed to provide professional legal services, are permitted “to the degree necessary to participate in Superior Court trials or other ancillary court proceedings or emergent matters or transactions.”
• Banks or banking institutions are permitted.
• Funeral Parlors are permitted to operate.
• Stores selling alcoholic beverages for outside consumption may remain open.
• Parks shall remain open for passive recreation, however, no organized or directed activity shall be permitted. Any other park activities that bring groups of more than four individuals (other than family members) shall be prohibited, such as playgrounds, dog runs, rides, stables (except for the care and maintenance of horses at the stables) or games.
• Golf courses may remain open for golfers who walk the courses only. All other facilities within private or public golf courses such as clubhouses, restaurants, health facilities, lesson facilities, etc. shall be closed. No public outings shall be permitted until further notice.
What about the grocery stores?
Tedesco ordered: “Food establishments or retail establishments that primarily sell food, either fresh or preserved, including but not limited to grocery stores and supermarkets and similar establishments, and the portion of establishments that engage in this activity shall be permitted to remain open between the hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.”
Food establishments shall be restricted to the sale of food and health care products, and shall prohibit the purchase of any other items.
Larger food establishments and supermarkets shall limit the number of patrons within a store to 50 at any one time. Smaller store that are not capable of servicing fifty 50 patrons shall impose an appropriate customer limit to comply with CDC social distancing guidelines. Individual municipalities shall be responsible for the enforcement of the limitations.
These businesses must suspend operations
• All malls, shopping centers, offices, construction and business activity of any type or nature, shall be closed until further notice, except restaurants within malls or shopping centers may remain open only for the sale of take-out orders or delivery.
• All health clubs, gyms, dance class facilities, yoga class facilities and all other similar recreational facilities shall be closed until further notice.
• All utility roadwork is hereby suspended until further notice, unless necessary for emergency purposes or required to maintain the provision of the utility service.
• No roadway solicitations seeking charitable contributions whether previously authorized by the County or otherwise shall take place until further notice.
• All utility roadwork is suspended until further notice, unless necessary for emergency purposes or required to maintain the provision of the utility service. Bergen County shall cease issuing road opening permits except in cases of emergency.
(” I recommend that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities develop a plan to address the health and safety of all utility workers. No utility meter readings that require entry into any building shall take place until further notice. Operation centers for public utilities are permitted to remain open, Tedesco said.)
New Jersey Attorney General Issues Guidance to Law Enforcement
Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal on March 16 issued commonsense measures, supported by health experts, to keep officers safe while meeting the state’s duty to protect communities
“Faced with this unprecedented health crisis, our work as members of law enforcement is more important than ever,” said Attorney General Grewal.
A Call for Help
Tedesco called on retired medical professionals, and students in nursing college, to aid in the COVID-19 response.
“We are going to need your help in order to make this work. Email BCVolunteer@co.bergen.nj.us if interested in volunteering, or call (201) 336-6006. “Please contact us and tell us if you’re willing to help us. We’re going to need all kinds of help, indoors, outdoors. This is a time where communities…rally together,” Tedesco said.