COVID-19: As numbers climb, Montclair closes parks, sets restaurant, bar curfew
BY JAIMIE JULIA WINTERS & ERIN ROLL
winters@montclairlocal.news
roll@montclairlocal.news
Montclair announced the closure of all parks and set a 10 p.m. curfew for bars and restaurants in response to the growing spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey.
The Montclair Office of Emergency Management (OEM) declared a state of emergency today, Sunday, March 15, in order to issue and enforce “orders as may be necessary to protect the health, safety, and resources of the residents of the Township of Montclair in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.” All gatherings of 250 or more individuals are now prohibited in Montclair, while all town parks and town-run recreational facilities will be closed through March 31.
Police will be monitoring those facilities, officials said. All Essex County parks, play areas and dog parks are also closed.
The Montclair Office of Emergency Management (OEM) declared a state of emergency today, Sunday, March 15, in order to issue and enforce “orders as may be necessary to protect the health, safety, and resources of the residents of the Township of Montclair in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.” All gatherings of 250 or more individuals are now prohibited in Montclair, while all town parks and town-run recreational facilities will be closed through March 31.
Police will be motoring those facilities, officials said. All Essex County parks, play areas and dog parks have been shut down as well.
“Given that the essential need for social distancing is not being followed in our parks and other recreational facilities, the township is putting in place the following restrictions to ensure the health and safety of our residents,” the town stated in a release.
The curfew prevents any restaurant or bar in Montclair from serving food or alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises every night between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Take-out, to-go or delivery service can continue after 10 p.m. but customers must vacate the premises.
Additionally, Montclair officials announced the lifting of parking restrictions suspending the two- and four-hour parking limits, as a result of the number of residents expected to telecommute and students now at home.
Parking meters will be programmed to provide 15 minutes of free parking beginning 8 a.m. Monday, March 16. The 15-minute window will allow drivers to run a quick errand and pick up necessities or take-out orders. When parking in an on-street metered spot, drivers must depress the green “OK” button (top-rightmost button just below the display) for 15 minutes of free parking. The free 15 minutes will be extended to Parkmobile as soon as possible.
MORE CLOSURES: See our hub page for the updated list of closures.
HELPING OTHERS:Where seniors, students can get help
The state announced 31 new positive tests for COVID-19 Sunday, bringing New Jersey’s total to 98. The new cases include 22 men and nine women, ranging in age from 30 to 77.
A second New Jersey resident has died because of the virus, officials said, a woman from Monmouth County. The woman appears to have been exposed to the illness during a family gathering, Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said. The woman has a family member who was acquainted with the state’s first fatality, a Bergen County man, officials said.
“I cannot emphasize how important it is to take responsibility and avoid gatherings, both small and large,” Persichilli said.
The number of Essex County residents to test positive for COVID-19 is now 11, county executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said at a press conference Sunday. They include three Montclair residents, two residents of Bloomfield, Millburn, and Nutley, and one resident each from Maplewood and Newark.
According to state officials, 13 of New Jersey’s 21 counties have had at least one positive test as of Sunday. Bergen County has been the hardest-hit with 32, while 12 Monmouth County residents, 11 residents from Essex and Middlesex, and 10 Hudson County residents have tested positive.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced Sunday that a total shutdown of the state’s public schools was imminent, and that specific actions regarding school closings would be announced on Monday. Districts and families are advised to continue preparing at this time, he said.
The Montclair Public Schools announced on Friday that school buildings would be closed beginning Monday, March 16, with students taking part in virtual learning.
Murphy also said that the state may take more aggressive measures to encourage social distancing.
State employees are being authorized to work from home. The governor also asked the federal government to open a special enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act, so residents who had little to no health coverage could apply for insurance.
Murphy urged businesses to allow their employees to work from home, and to make sure employees continue to be paid in the event of a business shutdown. An online portal is being set up to provide assistance for small businesses that are likely to be financially affected.
“This is not a party, folks, this is for real,” Murphy said. He said that many people in the state had been taking a ‘business as usual’ attitude, with people continuing to go to bars, parties and gatherings. “But business as usual ain’t getting anything done.” He also acknowledged the level of anxiety among the state’s residents, and vowed that New Jersey would make it through the outbreak.
Murphy said the state would know more about the expected number of cases, and New Jersey’s own expected curve, within the next seven to 14 days.He said that statewide curfew may be next.
As houses of worship were shut down for the first Sunday ever, more businesses in Montclair, including Paper Plane Coffee and the Montclair Social Club, announced their closures today. Town hall is still open, but courts are now suspended.
As part of Montclair Township Animal Shelter’s continued commitment to pet retention, the shelter is offering food and supplies for any pet whose family may be in need. Anyone out of work or anyone feeling "pet food insecure" should call the shelter to set up a pick up. If you are a Montclair resident and a senior citizen, the shelter can do a drop off.
Mountainside Hospital was setting up tents in the parking lot to begin directing some patients there first.
“We are using tents as auxiliary locations on an as-needed basis. Our ER triage nurses will be directing patients to these locations. These are not testing or sample collection sites,” said Mountainside Director of Communications Chiara Marababol.
Anyone experiencing mild symptoms should remain home until symptoms are clear for 72 hours. Only those experiencing severe symptoms, like severe respiratory symptoms and a high fever, should come to the emergency department, said Marababol.
Mountainside Medical Center has also restricted visitation as of Friday, March 13, with exceptions made in certain situations, including hospice care, ambulatory care and same day surgery (one visitor), Maternity/Labor and Delivery (one visitor), and special circumstances determined on a case-by-case basis.