COVID-19 Update
May 18, 2020

Nutley Update on COVID-19

The Township of Nutley is providing an update to the community on several important matters, including:

• Total COVID-19 cases in Nutley
• Governor Murphy’s Road Back
• Other updates

In addition, we remind residents to stay at home and to observe social distancing if you must go outside. 

COVID-19 Total Cases
The Township of Nutley announced 9 additional known COVID-19 cases and 1 death since Saturday May, 16th, bringing the total to 480 cases and 32 deaths. All of the cases announced are confirmed by the Nutley Heath Department.

The Road Back – Multi-Stage Approach to Restarting New Jersey’s Economy
Governor Phil Murphy unveiled a multi-stage approach (view a graphic of the plan) to restart New Jersey’s economy which includes the following stages (the State is currently in Stage 1):

MAXIMUM RESTRICTIONS
Maximum restrictions with most individuals staying at home and activity limited to essential tasks.

Permitted activities and businesses include:

• Emergency health care
• Essential construction
• Manufacturing
• Essential retail, including grocery stores and pharmacies

STAGE 1
Restrictions relaxed on low-risk activities if appropriately safeguarded. New Jersey is currently in this stage.

Phased-in businesses may include:

• Non-essential, but easiest to safeguard, work activities at physical locations if they meet safeguarding and modification guidelines. For example, non-essential construction with protections.
• Some non-essential retail may open with significant modifications. For example, curbside pickup.
• All workers who can work from home continue to work from home even if their industry is reopening. For example, an office manager for a construction company.

Phased-in activities include State and county parks, non-essential construction, curbside retail, drive-in activities, beaches, and elective surgeries. 

STAGE 2
Restrictions are relaxed on additional activities that can be easily safeguarded.

Phased-in businesses may include:

• More work activities are allowed at physical locations only if they adhere to safeguarding and modification guidelines. For example, work activities to be phased-in over the course of Stage 2 may include expanded retail, safeguarded restaurants with outdoor seating, limited personal care, and possibly indoor dining, museums, and libraries, all with significantly reduced capacity.
• All workers who can work from home continue to work from home. For example, a buying manager for restaurants.
• Some personal care services may be provided on a limited basis. 

STAGE 3
Restrictions are relaxed on most activities with significant safeguarding.

Phased-in businesses include:

• More work activities, including in-person meetings, are allowed at physical locations only if they can adhere to safeguarding guidelines and modifications. For example, work activities to be phased-in over the course of Stage 3 may include expanded dining, critical in-office work, limited entertainment, expanded personal care, and bars with limited capacity.
• All workers who can work from home continue to work from home. For example, accounting office workers.
• Personal care services may be provided on a more extended basis.

Precautions that apply across all stages include:

• Work that can be done from home should continue to be done from home.
• Clinically high-risk individuals who can stay at home should continue to do so.
• All residents and businesses should follow state and federal safeguarding guidelines:
  • Wash hands
  • Wear masks in public
  • Respect social distancing
  • Minimize gatherings
  • Disinfect workplace and businesses
  • Minimize gatherings 
  • No mass gatherings

New Jersey will move toward subsequent stages based on data that demonstrates improvements in public health and the capacity to safeguard the public, including:

• Sustained improvements in public health indicators, including new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, individuals in intensive care, and ventilator use.
• Substantial increase in testing and contact tracing capacity.
• Sufficient resilience in New Jersey’s health care system to include adequate bed capacity, ventilators, personal protective equipment, and workforce.
• Widespread safeguarding of workplaces.
• Widespread safeguarding and capacity of child care, schools, and transit.
• Continued public compliance.

If public health indicators, safeguarding, or compliance worsen on a sustained basis, New Jersey will be prepared to move back to more restrictive stages as well.

Governor Murphy’s Executive Orders
Governor Murphy has issued multiple executive orders recently, relaxing restrictions on certain types of businesses. To view the executive orders, visit:

https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/approved/eo_archive.html

Emotional Support Information
If you need emotional support or are feeling anxiety or worry due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can call the NJ Mental Health Cares number at 1-866-202-HELP (4357). It is staffed with a live mental health specialist 7 days a week, 8 am-8 pm.

Locally, the Nutley Family Service Bureau is accepting referrals and can be reached by calling 973-667-1884.

Department of Public Works
Parking meter enforcement is suspended until further notice. Please support our local businesses!

Health Department Message
Please make every attempt to check in on elderly and/or disabled neighbors. If you are aware of anyone that needs food and/or supplies, please contact the Department of Public Affairs at 973-284-4976.

Additional Information
For additional information and previous updates, please visit www.nutleynj.org. In addition to receiving emergency alerts, visit www.covid19.nj.gov to stay informed.