All Around Pennsauken

By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

In a press conference this afternoon, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced his “Stay at Home” order, an aggressive attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

“This is no time to panic, but this is not time for business as usual,” said Governor Murphy. “I am ordering New Jersey’s 9 million residents to stay at home.”

Executive Order Number 107, which goes into effect tonight at 9:00 p.m., contains new standards for businesses which supersede previous announcements.

According to this order, “gatherings of individuals, such as parties, celebrations, or other social events, are cancelled unless explicitly authorized by Executive Order 107. CDC guidance defines a gathering to include conferences, large meetings, parties, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies.”

In addition, non-essential retail businesses must close their physical locations/storefronts by 9:00 p.m. this evening. All recreational and entertainment businesses (casinos, racetracks, gyms, movie theaters, indoor portions of retail malls, concert venues, nightclubs, etc.) are closed to the public. Personal-care businesses and social clubs, including barber shops, hair salons, spas, nail and eyelash salons, and tattoo parlors, are also closed.

Bars and restaurants in New Jersey continued to be closed for on-premise service and may provide take-out and delivery service only. Drive-throughs, take-out, delivery offered by restaurants, and other delivery services can continue to operate.

The executive order allows essential businesses to remain open. Examples are:

• Grocery stores, farmer’s markets and farms that sell directly to customers
• Other food stores, including retailers that offer a varied assortment of foods comparable to what exists as a grocery store
• Pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensaries
• Medical supply stores
• Gas stations
• Convenience stores
• Ancillary stores within healthcare facilities
• Hardware and home improvement stores
• Vehicle rental locations
• Banks and other financial institutions with retail functions
• Laundromats and dry-cleaning services
• Stores that principally sell supplies for children under five years
• Pet stores and veterinary service locations
• Car dealerships, but only for auto maintenance and repair, and auto mechanics
• Printing and office supply shops
• Mail and delivery stores
• Liquor stores

Non-retail businesses and non-profit organizations must allow non-essential employees to work from home whenever practical. If there are staff who need to be on site, these businesses and organizations should operate with the minimal number of on-site employees as possible to ensure critical operations can continue. Examples of essential employees include: cashiers or store clerks, construction workers, utility workers, repair workers, warehouse workers, lab researchers, IT maintenance workers, janitorial and custodial staff, and certain administrative staff.

Manufacturing, industrial, logistics, ports, heavy construction, shipping, food production, food delivery, and other commercial operations may continue operating, but should limit staff on site to the minimal number needed to maintain critical operations. Medical facilities, including any facility where a sick or injured person is given care or treatment, such as: doctor’s offices, hospitals, dentist offices, long-term care facilities, and other medical offices, may continue to operate.

In addition, employees reporting to work are permitted to travel to and from their place of business. The order recommends businesses to give each employee a letter indicating that the person works in an industry permitted to continue operations.

Governor Murphy also signed Executive Order Number 108, which also goes into effect this evening at 9:00 p.m., which invalidates any county or municipal restriction that in any way will or might conflict with any of the provisions of Executive Order Number 107.

For additional details on these executive orders, visit the State of New Jersey’s new website on the coronavirus outbreak, COVID19.NJ.gov.