health@wtmorris.net.

QUARANTINE & ISOLATION: Confused about the most recent regulations for quarantine if you are exposed?    CLICK HERE  for guidance after exposure.    How long do you have to isolate if you test COVID+?  CLICK HERE  for a calculator to let you know when you can get back to work, school, fun. 

VACCINATIONS: All Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations, including boosters, are available for any eligible individuals ages 6 months and older.  CLICK HERE   for local availability.  

Be sure to stop and visit the Health Department, at the Senior Center, for a vaccination or booster (while supplies last) on July 19, 2022 (rain date, July 20) at COMMUNITY NIGHT OUT.

 TESTING: To test for COVID and receive medication to treat COVID symptoms if found to be COVID + …   CLICK HERE     To receive additional At-home test kits ….    CLICK HERE  .

QUARANTINE & ISOLATION: Confused about the most recent regulations for quarantine if you are exposed?    CLICK HERE.   How long do you have to isolate if you test COVID+?  CLICK HERE  for a calculator to let you know when you can get back to work, school, fun. 

VACCINATIONS: All Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations, including boosters, are available for any eligible individuals ages 5 and older.  CLICK HERE  for local availability.  

Be sure to stop and visit the Health Department, at the Senior Center, for a vaccination or booster (while supplies last) on July 19, 2022 (rain date, July 20) at COMMUNITY NIGHT OUT.

Each home should have COVID test kits available as people are getting out, gathering and visiting with family, friends and neighbors.  This is a good opportunity to be sure that you have enough test kits on hand.  Early detection, as with any disease, is the best course to fighting the disease and the best defense against the spread of the disease to others.  

To order your test kits click on or copy and paste the following link into your browser:

https://special.usps.com/testkits

This time, each order comes with 8 test kits in two separate packages.

Order yours today ...  And, if you have any questions, call the Health Department at  908.876.3650

The clinic will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm in the Library of West Morris Central High School at 259 Bartley Rd.  To register for this vaccine clinic,  please click on or copy and paste the following link into your browser:

 https://wtboh-covidvax1.timetap.com

If you have questions or concerns about the booster, or this clinic, please contact the Washington Township Health Department at  908.876.3650.

"Test to Treat" allows anyone who is feeling ill to be tested at participating pharmacies / facilities, and, if found to be Covid+,  can be prescribed and given treatment medication on the spot.   This eliminates the need for the patient to see the doctor for a prescription and a separate trip to the pharmacy for the medication.  The earlier Covid treatment begins, the better and quicker the results can be realized.

To find the nearest "Test to Treat" facility click on or copy and paste the following link into your browser.            https://aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat/Pages/default.aspx

Always feel free to call the Health Department in Washington Township with any questions and / or concerns.    908.876.3650

www.familypromisesussex.org 

Phone: 973-579-1180 

The Washington Township Health Department wants area residents to know that residents over the age of 50 and those that are immunocompromised are eligible for a second booster shot of Covid vaccine if they received their last booster at least 4 months ago.  For information on where to and how to get that second booster   CLICK HERE.

And ... as always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the Health Department at   908.876.3650

Assistance to qualifying JCP&L customers is available through the following programs:

·         Lifeline: Offers a $225 annual benefit to persons who meet the PAAD eligibility requirements, or who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). For additional information, call 800-792-9745.

·         Universal Service Fund (USF): Helps eligible residential customers maintain electric service by offering a monthly bill credit – up to $180 per month for electric and gas combined.  The USF Fresh Start program now provides forgiveness of overdue balances regardless of previous participation in the USF program. Apply for USF and LIHEAP online at www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid or call 800-510-3102 to have an application mailed to you or to find an application agency near you.

·         The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): Helps eligible residential customers with their heating and cooling bills and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the program.  Apply for USF and LIHEAP online at www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid or call 800-510-3102 to have an application mailed to you or to find an application agency near you.

·         The Weatherization Program: Includes the installation of home energy measures that can help reduce energy bills. Weatherization programs include Comfort Partners, sponsored by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. For additional information, visit www.njcleanenergy.com and click on “Residential,” or call 800-915-8309.

·         Payment Assistance for Gas and Electric (PAGE): Aids low- to moderate-income households who are experiencing economic hardship and struggling to pay their electric and natural gas bills. Customers with zero or low income are encouraged to apply for the Universal Service Fund (USF) or Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) in addition to the PAGE grant.  For more information, visit www.NJPowerOn.org or call 732-982-8710.

·         New Jersey SHARES: Offers an annual benefit of $700 for households who are having difficulty paying their electric bills. The fund helps those who need assistance because of an illness, job loss or other problem that has created a financial hardship but are not eligible for other income or age-based programs. Customers denied LIHEAP, USF and PAGE may be eligible for a NJ SHARES Smart Utility Assistance grant.  For additional information, call 866-657-4273 or visit www.njshares.org.

·         2-1-1 Helpline: This nationwide resource and information helpline identifies locally available programs that may assist customers with utility bills or other needs. For more information, dial 2-1-1, text your ZIP code to 898211, or visit the 2-1-1 website.

JCP&L residential customers also can manage their electric bills through the Equal Payment Plan (EPP). With EPP, customers can make consistent monthly payments to avoid seasonal highs and lows in their electric bills.

In addition to payment options, FirstEnergy offers a Medical Certification program. Disconnection of electric service resulting from overdue bills can be delayed up to 90 days if it is determined that the loss of electric service would be especially dangerous to the health of a permanent member of a customer’s household. An appropriate health care professional must complete and sign a Medical Certification Form for the eligible customer.

To apply or learn more about other JCP&L programs, visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist and click on “Search Assistance Programs” or call 1-800-662-3115 to speak with a customer service representative Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 

Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests. Here’s what you need to know about your order:

·       Limit of one order per residential address

·       One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests

·       Orders will ship free starting in late January

Morris County’s Board of County Commissioners today announced the county will resume no-cost, COVID-19 testing inside the Student Center at the County College of Morris (CCM) on Monday to help meet a soaring demand.

Testing is available by appointment only.  No one will be permitted to walk into the facility without an appointment, and appointments must be scheduled on-line through the Morris County COVID-19 Information website.

The center will be open seven days per week and appointments will be available between 7 a.m. and 6:45 p.m., except for a half hour between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m.

“We are meeting the increased demand of our residents for more testing facilities, and we want to take a tremendous burden off local hospitals where emergency room personnel have been overwhelmed by people walking in hoping to find tests,” said Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw.

Saint Clare’s Health and Morristown Medical Center/Atlantic Health System have noted that a Morris County testing center at CCM will relieve emergency department pressures.

“Our strategic planning committee had discussed the need for testing recently, and despite tight supplies and limited resources we are pleased the county was able to launch this initiative.  Hopefully the sharp increases in cases is plateauing, and we will have as sharp a decline,” said Commissioner John Krickus, referring to the board’s COVID-19 Strategic Planning Advisory Committee, of which he is a member.

Testing Center

Morris County and the County College of Morris will again collaborate with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office to operate the testing facility in the same Student Center location where the county operated its testing center last year. Instead of a saliva test, the center will employ the LabQ Diagnostics nasal-swab PCR tests.

HQ Health, which is the new LabQ brand name for the company’s suite of comprehensive and complete healthcare services, opened a new, 100,000 square foot center in Mount Olive last May. Among other operations, the center will manage four other national data centers for LabQ and employ more than 1,000 people locally.

Because of the massive demand on testing throughout the nation, people looking to be tested are being advised that receiving results may take considerably longer than the usually advertised timetable of 24 hours to 48 hours.

People who schedule a test will not be charged for the service, but will be asked to provide information about whether they have health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or no healthcare coverage. Individuals with symptoms or who have a known exposure to COVID-19 should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for isolation or quarantine until they receive their test results.

Please monitor the COVID-19 information page on the Morris County website to learn of any changes in the testing schedule at CCM or updates on other testing programs and the pandemic.

“We’ve met the pandemic head on since it began. Last year we set up the most successful vaccination center in the state at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall, as well as a testing center. With this recent rise in cases, we are launching the testing center again with the same vigor and level of tenacity as before,” said Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo, a liaison to the county Department of Law & Public Safety.

“The County College of Morris is always ready to support the county in any way, and we are willing and proud to assist with this endeavor,” said CCM President Anthony J. Iacono.

Directions and Precautions

Parking at CCM for people with appointments will be reserved in Lot 6, where individuals using public transportation to and from CCM also may board or disembark from a bus.  To find directions to CCM and learn more about public transportation options to and from the campus, please go to the CCM website.

Everyone arriving at the campus is required to wear a protective face covering or mask from the time of arrival in the parking lot to the moment of departure.

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that Pfizer recipients who have completed their initial  COVID-19 vaccine series can get a booster shot at five months instead of six months, expanding protection against COVID-19 to more people sooner.
• The CDC also recommended that moderately or severely immunocompromised children ages 5 to 11 be able to receive a third dose 28 days after their second shot, which will help strengthen protections for this vulnerable population.  Eligibility for these groups is effective immediately.
• The Pfizer vaccine is authorized for boosters in individuals ages 16 and up and is currently the only vaccine authorized and recommended for children ages 5-11. 
• Please visit this link for the full article posted on the NJDOH Website. 

Please click the link below for complete information and to place your order for a free at-home saliva COVID test.

https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nj/?fbclid=IwAR3U_JmoCR86lxGpVLTcxz0HL8klKr5a7zD25a26B4R_A0BkPp5rdFrJ_8U

Feel free to share this link with your family, friends, neighbors.  

Please call the Washington Township Resource line 908-441-2597 or the Washington Township Health Department  908.876.3650 for more information.

The CDC COVID-19 Information Hub offers a NJ COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment search on their website, where you can locate and sign-up for appointments at various different locations near you!

All you have to do is visit: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder, Enter your zip-code of preference, the radius you are willing to travel and the type of COVID-19 Vaccine you are interested in. 

Thank you for doing all that you can to protect your loved ones and your fellow community members, and helping to REDUCE the spread of COVID-19!

Atlantic Health System has available vaccine appointments at local health facilities near you.  They offer online scheduling for eligible individuals to receive their first dose, third dose or their booster of COVID-19 vaccine.

*Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson vaccines available.

Please answer a series of questions, by visiting the COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Page, regarding the patient's eligibility, pick a date and time and provide the patient's information. Vaccines are available at no cost to you. 

For inquiries about the Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine for children 5-11 years of age, please see the recent CDC COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Teens webpage.  

All materials are free for download.

They may be printed on a standard office printer, or you may use a commercial printer.

Explore the CDC Print Resources Page and filter the materials based on your topic of interest in regards to COVID-19. 

Click the links below for a few infographics on COVID-19 Vaccinations: 

COVID-19 Vaccine What To Expect

COVID-19 mRNA infographic

They can also be useful in better understanding how the vaccine works to protect you. 

Here are the links regarding COVID-19 Vaccine efficacy: 

• Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine | CDC 
• COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Research | CDC 
• Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Frontline Workers Before and During B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant Predominance — Eight U.S. Locations, December 2020–August 2021 | MMWR (cdc.gov) 
• COVID-19 Vaccines Work | CDC 

If you have additional questions, or need assistance with making a vaccination appointment, please contact the Washington Township Health Department Resource Line at 908 - 441 - 2597. 

The Morris County Department of Human Services has been highly successful in disbursing federal rental assistance made available to families and landlords impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, countering a national trend in which disbursements have stalled. 

Renters and landlords may inquire about the program by simply checking the criteria provided at the DCA COVID-19 Information website. 

The program will only pay for rent arrears incurred after March 13, 2020.

To apply, simply go to: https://njdca.onlinepha.com/ 

For more information, please the following link: Morris County COVID-19 Rental Aid

For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions 
• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

For the nearly 15 million people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.

There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

Millions of people are newly eligible to receive a booster shot and will benefit from additional protection. However, today’s action should not distract from the critical work of ensuring that unvaccinated people take the first step and get an initial COVID-19 vaccine. 

*For more information, please visit the CDC COVID-19 Webpage

Please click the links below for more information....

Booster Eligibility

Third dose vs Booster Checklist

Third dose vs Booster Information

Please visit the NJ Department of Health website for the latest vaccination updates!  

For more information on frequently asked questions regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html. 

For more information regarding the difference between a third dose and a booster shot of the COVID vaccine, please visit: https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2021/08/what-is-the-difference-between-a-third-dose-and-a-booster-shot-of-the-covid-vaccine.html. 

“The FDA’s approval of this vaccine is a milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization, as the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D.

Please visit https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-covid-19-vaccine for more information. 

Talk to your health care provider first about your medical condition, and if getting an additional dose is right for you. 

Immunocompromised individuals should be able to get a third dose of either Pfizer or Moderna beginning Saturday, August 14, 2021 - at any location offering COVID-19 vaccines.

Additional Vaccine Immunocompromised

All sites are being advised to accept walk-ins for third doses. To find a vaccination location, visit covid19.nj.gov/finder.

1. The Delta variant has become the majority of COVID-19 cases in the US

2. The variant is twice as contagious as before

3. The vaccine protects you from infection, illness, hospitalization, and death

4. Everyone should wear a mask where COVID-19 transmission is high

More info from the NJDOH is available at www.covid19.nj.gov   

Click for NJDOH delta variant flyer

• Don’t let transportation challenges stop you (or your family and friends) from getting vaccinated.

• No cost to you!

• Through a partnership with United Way Worldwide and Lyft, NJ 211 is happy to offer free transportation access for vaccinations in the state of New Jersey. Transportation is available throughout New Jersey where Lyft is available, for anyone who has a COVID19 vaccination appointment.

• This program is for everyone, including people who have collapsible wheelchairs and walkers. 

• Personal aides are welcome to ride along!

• Dial 2-1-1 and schedule your ride today!

The announcements come as New Jersey’s COVID-19 moratorium on residential evictions prepares to end in January.

The Morris County Department of Humans Services has received more than $14.6 million in rental assistance to disperse among qualified families. The aid can assist landlords as well as qualified families.

At the same time, Legal Services in New Jersey is warning renters not to ignore notices of mandatory settlement conferences if their landlords already have filed eviction notices. (read more below)

RENTAL ASSISTANCE

“Rental assistance funds are still available in Morris County and the State of New Jersey to people from low- and moderate-income households who had a substantial reduction in income, have qualified for unemployment benefits, incurred significant costs or experienced a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kasey Errico, Director of Morris County Human Services.

As of last week, 1,541 applications were submitted, with 513 applications being approved to date and those households receiving more than $4 million in aid.

Morris County is urging renters to determine if they qualify and to apply.

Renters may inquire about the program by simply checking the criteria provided at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) COVID-19 Information website. Some of the qualifications also are listed further below.

To apply, simply go to: https://njdca.onlinepha.com/

The federal Emergency Rental Assistance funding is designed to help avert a housing crisis for tenants in critical need of such support. The funding also will bring needed relief to landlords, who have been challenged by the financial impacts of the pandemic as well, according to Errico.

Morris County partnered with the DCA, as have other counties, to utilize the state’s program vendor and eliminate confusion for those in need by using one on-line portal to access the assistance application.

KNOW OF EVICTION ACTIONS & YOUR RIGHTS

While Governor Phil Murphy’s pandemic moratorium on evictions does not expire until January 2022, it does not prevent landlords from initiating eviction court proceedings before then – and New Jersey courts may summon renters for “mandatory settlement conferences” well before the eviction moratorium deadline.

The conferences are only designed to determine whether an eviction case may be settled without going to trial and does not obligate any renter or landlord to enter into an agreement.

But appearances are mandatory.

“If you do not appear, a default judgement will enter against you, meaning you will lose the case,” Legal Services warned in a new flyer.

The agency also advised renters that they do not have to agree to settle the case, just appear for the conference.

“You do not have to agree to pay any money. You do not have to agree to move out. Landlords and tenants who do not make an agreement will have a trial scheduled when the court stats holding trials,” said Legal Services.

MORE ON RENTAL ASSITANCE

The umbrella name for the federal rental assistance program is the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Phase II or CVERAP PHASE II. The first phase was launched in July 2020, using $91.75 million in federal funds, which assisted about 15,000 New Jersey residents.  New Jersey has been provided $353 million for the second phase.

The program covers two areas:

Emergency Rental Assistance for Arrears: Applicants may be eligible for up to a maximum of twelve months of emergency rental assistance to help pay for rent arrears and future rent to the extent that funds are available. Families that have already received funding through Phase I of the program, that need additional rent support, and have not yet received the maximum twelve months of emergency rental assistance can apply for additional funding.

Emergency Rental Assistance for Current and Future Rents: Financial assistance is limited to three months based on application submitted, except that the household may receive additional assistance for additional months subject to the availability of remaining funds and eligibility, not to exceed 12 months (plus an additional three months if necessary to ensure housing stability).

Persons applying must meet all applicable income and eligibility requirements. You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to apply or be an emancipated minor. Only one (1) application per household will be accepted. Applications will be accepted until enough applications have been received to ensure distribution of all available funds. A computerized selection (lottery) process will be used to select residents who have been impacted by COVID-19 for eligibility determination.

Eligibility Criteria: Selected households must meet the following eligibility criteria to qualify for assistance:

Qualify for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic;

Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability;

Have a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income (please see income limits below);

Have a lack of assets and savings to pay rent arrears or current and future rent;

Be a New Jersey resident; and

Obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling.

The program will only pay for rent arrears incurred after March 13, 2020.

Property managers or owners of a residential dwelling may apply for assistance on behalf of a tenant.

The landlord must:

Obtain the signature of the tenant on the application, which may be documented electronically; and

Must provide documentation of the application to the tenant to notify the tenant that the application has been submitted.

The announcement from the Governor's Office states the legislation keeps the following 14 executive orders in place until January 1, 2022, though they can be modified or rescinded prior to that date by the Governor:

• Executive Order No. 106 
• Executive Order No. 111 
• Executive Order No. 112 
• Executive Order No. 123 
• Executive Order No. 127 
• Executive Order No. 150 
• Executive Order No. 159 
• Executive Order No. 170 
• Executive Order No. 178 
• Executive Order No. 207 
• Executive Order No. 229 
• Executive Order No. 233
• Executive Order No. 237 
• Executive Order No. 242

Any administrative orders, directives, or waivers that relied on the existence of the public health emergency, including Department of Health orders that govern vaccinations and testing, are extended until January 11, 2022. The Governor is authorized to seek a further 90-day extension of such orders, directives, or waivers, which can be granted by a concurrent resolution passed by the Legislature.

To read Executive Order No. 244, click here.

Effective on Friday, May 28, the indoor mask mandate in public spaces will be lifted, as well as the six-foot social distancing requirement in both indoor and outdoor spaces, the prohibition on dance floors at bars and restaurants, and the prohibition on ordering and eating/drinking while standing at bars and restaurants. Additionally, effective Friday, June 4, indoor gathering and capacity limits will be lifted. 

According to the announcements from the Governor's Office, the following will go into effect on Friday, May 28:

• Lifting the mask mandate in indoor public spaces. 
  • Businesses and entities overseeing indoor spaces will continue to have the ability to require masking for employees, customers, and/or guests. 
  • Per CDC guidance, masks will continue to be required in health care settings, including long-term care facilities and office-based settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation, as well as transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
  • Additionally, also per CDC guidance, child care centers and facilities, youth summer camps, and public, private, and parochial preschool program premises and elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools, are not affected by this announcement and continue to be governed by existing requirements. 
  • Indoor worksites that are not open to the public remain governed by existing health and safety protocols that employers must follow.
  • Masks will continue to be required in public-facing state offices, such as Motor Vehicle Commission agencies.

• Lifting the six-foot social distancing requirement. 
  • The requirement will be lifted in businesses, including retail stores, personal care services, gyms, recreational and entertainment businesses, and casinos, and indoor gatherings, including religious services, political activities, weddings, funerals, memorial services, commercial gatherings, catered events, sports competitions, and performances.
  • Businesses and entities overseeing indoor spaces can continue to require social distancing should they choose.
• Lifting prohibition on dance floors at bars and restaurants. The prohibition on ordering and eating/drinking while standing at bars and restaurants will also be lifted.

The following changes will go into effect Friday, June 4:

• Removing the general indoor gathering limit, which is currently at 50 people.
• Removing the indoor gathering limit for political gatherings, weddings, funerals, memorial services, performances, and other catered and commercial events, which is currently at 250 people.
• Removing 30 percent capacity limitation for indoor large venues with a fixed-seating capacity over 1,000. 

Execute Order 243 also clarifies that:

Employers bringing employees back to the physical worksite must continue to follow all applicable portions of Executive Order No. 192, including notifying employees of on-site exposure and performing health screenings of employees entering the worksite. 

The Order further permits employers in indoor worksites that are closed to the public to allow employees who can verify that they are vaccinated the ability to forego wearing a mask and social distancing.  Employers retain the ability to issue more restrictive policies on masking and social distancing.  Employers shall not restrict individuals from wearing masks and shall not penalize or retaliate against individuals who choose to wear a mask.

For details, please see EO-242, EO-243 and EO-192.

Masks will no longer be required for visitors to Township municipal buildings after the effective date of EO-242 (May 28). In accordance with CDC recommendations, individuals who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks in indoor public spaces and should continue to practice social distancing. Offices are open to the public Monday to Thursday, appointments are encouraged; click here for details.

The announcement from the governor's office notes:

[O]utdoor public spaces do not include child care centers, other child care facilities, youth summer camps, and public, private, and parochial preschool program premises, and elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools. Current recommendations and requirements regarding masking in those settings will remain in effect.  

Additionally, any masking requirements for outdoor spaces in healthcare settings and at congregate facilities, such as long-term care facilities and State correctional facilities, will remain in place.

For details, please see EO-241.

The announcement from the Governor's Office states:

Social Distance-based Business Capacities

Effective May 19, most business capacities—which are currently based upon percentage of maximum occupancy—will be removed in New Jersey and New York. Businesses will only be limited by the space available for patrons or parties of patrons to maintain the required social distance of 6 feet. This new distance-based maximum capacity will apply across commercial settings, including retail, food services, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services, among other settings. It will also apply in houses of worship.

Increase in Social and Residential Gathering Limits

In New York beginning May 10, the outdoor social gathering limit will increase from 200 to 500 people. Beginning May 19, the indoor social gathering limit will increase from 100 to 250 people. Also, the outdoor residential gathering limit of 25 people will be removed, reverting to the social gathering limit of 500 people with space for appropriate social distancing, and the indoor residential gathering limit will increase from 10 to 50 people. In New York, any event gatherings in excess of the social gathering limits may only occur if all individuals present proof of full vaccination status or recent negative COVID-19 test result.

Event Venues

Congregate commercial and social events in New York—such as those at venues that host sports competitions, performing arts and live entertainment, and catered receptions—can exceed the social gathering limits of 500 people outdoors or 250 people indoors if all attendees over the age of four present either proof of full vaccination status or recent negative COVID-19 test result and the required social distancing can be accommodated. 

Starting May 19, large-scale indoor event venues will operate at 30 percent capacity, which is an increase from the current 10 percent capacity limit. Large-scale outdoor event venues will operate at 33 percent. Social distancing, masks, and other applicable health protocols will still apply, including the requirement of attendee proof of full vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test result.

Industry Reopening Requirements

While most industry capacity restrictions will be lifted, industry-specific requirements will remain in effect for a longer period of time, including state or local health authority event notification, health screening, contact information for tracing, enhanced air handling and building system standards, hand hygiene, and environmental cleaning and disinfection protocols. The State will continue to provide additional guidance on these provisions as they apply to each industry.

For details, please read EO-239.

DOH Indoor Dining Guidance 051121

DOH Outdoor Dining Guidance 051121

DOH Sport Activities Guidance 051121

DOH Pool Guidance 051121

The Governor's Office has summarized the changes, effective Friday, May 7 (some of which were previously announced to take effect on Monday, May 10) as follows:

• Outdoor gatherings limit – The limit will increase to 500 persons, up from 200.
• Large venue outdoor capacity – The maximum capacity allowed will increase to 50% for venues with 1,000 fixed seats or more, as long as six feet of distance is maintained, up from 30% capacity for venues with a 2,500 fixed seating capacity.  
• Increase in maximum capacity for certain indoor activities – Currently, indoor catered events are limited to 35% of the capacity of the room in which they are held, up to 150 persons. The capacity limit for those events, including proms, will be raised to 50%, up to a maximum of 250 individuals. The  capacity limit for indoor political events, weddings, funerals, memorial services, and performances will also increase accordingly.
• Dance floors at private catered events – Dance floors would be permitted to open at such events, with masking and social distancing requirements in place. Dance floors would remain closed at bars and other related businesses, such as nightclubs.
• Permit carnivals and fairs to operate at the amusement business capacity – Currently, these events may be treated like a gathering, and thus subject to more restrictive limits. Carnivals and fairs may now operate at the same capacity as large outdoor amusements.
• Bar seating– The prohibition on indoor bar seating will be lifted, with final guidance on necessary safeguards, such as spacing and the use of plexiglass, to follow from the New Jersey Department of Health.
• Buffets – The restriction on self-service food, like buffets, at restaurants, would be lifted, but individuals will still be required to remain seated while eating and drinking.

According to the Governor's Office summary,  barring an unexpected uptick in COVID-19 numbers, the following changes will go into effect on Wednesday, May 19, largely in line with actions taking place in the neighboring states of New York and Connecticut:

• Complete removal of outdoor gathering limit– Attendees at outdoor gatherings will still be required to remain six feet apart from other groups. 
• Indoor gathering limit– The general indoor gathering limit will be raised to 50 persons, up from 25 persons. The limit applies to general social gatherings, such as birthday parties and events in people’s homes. Commercial gatherings and gatherings organized and operated by an overseeing entity (e.g. conferences, expositions, meetings of fraternal organizations, job trainings, events hosted by senior centers) will be subject to the 250-person indoor gathering limit that applies to indoor catered events, as long as all attendees can remain six feet apart.
• Complete removal of all percentage capacity limits for indoor and outdoor businesses, and houses of worship – Any business, whether indoors or outdoors, that is subject to a percentage capacity limitation will instead be guided by the rule regarding six feet of distance between persons or groups of persons.  This would include:
  • Indoor dining – Currently, indoor dining is limited to 50% capacity. This change will remove the 50% limitation but maintain the six feet of required distance between tables, except that tables will still be permitted to be closer than six feet where restaurants use partitions that comply with DOH requirements. Additionally, the prohibition on tables of more than 8 persons will be lifted. As a reminder, outdoor dining has never been bound to a capacity percentage. 
  • Houses of worship and religious services, which are currently at 50% capacity. Retail businesses, which are currently at 50% capacity.
  • Gyms, which are currently at 50% capacity.
  • Personal care services, which are currently at 50% capacity.
  • Indoor and outdoor amusement and recreation businesses, which are both currently limited to 50% capacity.
  • Indoor and outdoor pools, which are both currently limited to 50% capacity.
  • Indoor catered events, funerals, memorial services, performances, and political activities – Per today’s Executive Order, these events will be limited to 50% of a room’s capacity, up to 250 individuals.  Beginning on Wednesday, May 19, the 250-person limit will remain in place, but there will be no percentage-based capacity restrictions. Individuals and groups will need to remain six feet apart. 
• Indoor large venue capacity – The capacity limit for indoor large venues will increase from 20% to 30% and the definition of a large venue would shift from those with 2,500 fixed seats to those with 1,000 fixed seats. The requirement that individuals or groups of individuals that purchase tickets together remain six feet apart would remain in place.

For more details, please read EO-238.

Appointment are preferred. Open appointments available onatlantichealth.org/covidvaccine

The Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center (Former Sears building) is located at:

Rockaway Townsquare Mall

301 Mount Hope Avenue

Rockway, NJ 07866

Morris County Regional Vaccination Site Flyer

For more COVID-19 news and resources click here.

Under the new executive order, the number of individuals at outdoor gatherings shall be limited to 200 persons or fewer. An outdoor gathering that is a religious service or celebration, political activity, wedding ceremony or reception, funeral, memorial service, meeting of an addiction support group, legislative proceeding of State, county, or local government, including local Boards of Education, or State or local judicial proceeding is not required to comply with the numerical limit on persons. All athletic practices and competitions, including professional, collegiate, and non-collegiate and non-professional, that are conducted outdoors are subject to the outdoor gathering limit of 200 persons. Athletes, coaches, referees, trainers, and other individuals who are necessary for the practice or competition are not included in the number of individuals present at a gathering for purposes of the limits on gatherings. All other individuals,  including spectators, must be limited to 200 persons.

For details, please read EO-234.

The order reads, in part:

1. No gas or electric public or municipal utility or privately or publicly owned water system shall discontinue any gas, electric, or water service to New Jersey residents, which includes all residential accounts and any accounts primarily serving residential customers, due to nonpayment unless the   disconnection is to prevent or ameliorate a risk to public health or safety.

2. No gas or electric public or municipal utility or privately or publicly owned water system shall collect any fee or charge imposed for late or otherwise untimely payments or service reconnections that have accrued, and will continue to accrue, during the Public Health Emergency.

3. Before disconnecting residential internet and voice services to a New Jersey resident who has an existing account with the cable or telecommunications provider as of the effective date of this Order, after the required notice of discontinuance is sent to the customer, the cable or telecommunications provider shall offer to enroll the customer in an interest-free payment plan of at least twelve equal monthly installments that includes any outstanding balance due and owing, as well as the ongoing balance for any services provided during the payment plan period, provided that nothing in this provision prevents a customer from requesting a shorter payback period.

4. A cable or telecommunications provider may provide additional flexibility to customers by offering a combined payment and payment forgiveness plan, involving forgiveness of at least 50% of the outstanding principal, in lieu of a twelve-month payment plan required by Paragraph 5 of this Order, solely upon consent of the customer by written or recorded verbal communication, pursuant to a policy approved in writing by the BPU.

5. No cable or telecommunications provider shall discontinue residential internet and voice services to a New Jersey resident who has entered into a payment plan pursuant to Paragraphs 3 or 4 of this Order so long as the customer makes timely payments under the payment plan selected by the customer.    

6. No cable or telecommunications provider shall require a down payment or deposit to enroll a customer in a payment plan pursuant to Paragraphs 3 through 5 of this Order.

7. No cable or telecommunications provider may disconnect the internet service provided to a residential account that is in effect as of the effective date of this Order that one or more school-aged children utilize for educational purposes. Prior to terminating internet service, a provider must ask the customer, either in writing or through a recorded verbal communication, whether the internet service is being used by a school-aged child for education purposes. If the customer answers in the affirmative, then the provider shall not disconnect the internet service provided to that residential account.

8. Nothing in this Order prohibits a cable or telecommunications provider from implementing a policy of continuing to provide residential internet and voice services to all customers in New Jersey subject to approval from the BPU.

9. Where internet service has been disconnected for a residential account and there has been a change of circumstances such that one or more school-aged children will be using the account for educational purposes, the provider shall, upon notification by a customer of such a change of circumstances, take immediate steps to reestablish service to that residential account. The provider shall develop and implement a process for customers to obtain reestablishment of services in those circumstances pursuant to a policy approved in writing by the BPU and shall provide notice of that policy in writing to all customers prior to the disconnection of internet services and on its website.   

10. A cable or telecommunications provider that provides residential internet and voice services to New Jersey residents pursuant to Paragraphs 8 and 9may not downgrade or otherwise reduce the quality of residential internet services while this Order remains in effect unless acting pursuant to a policy approved in writing by the BPU.

11. No cable or telecommunications provider shall seek to impose or collect any late fees, penalties or other reconnection costs on customers affected by the Public Health Emergency as a condition of maintaining service.

For details, please read EO-229.

The order reads, in part, "The number of individuals at an indoor gathering that is a wedding reception shall be limited to 35 percent of the capacity of the room in which it takes place, but regardless of the capacity of the room, such limit shall never be smaller than 10 persons or larger than 150 persons, excluding the reception venue’s staff."

Please read EO-228 for details.

Beginning Monday, March 15, the following categories are eligible for vaccination:

• Educators, including support staff, in pre-K through 12th grade settings;
• Childcare workers in licensed and registered settings;
• Public and local transportation workers, including bus, taxi, rideshare, and airport employees; NJ TRANSIT workers; and Motor Vehicle Commission staff;
• Public safety workers who are not sworn law enforcement or fire professionals, including probation officers and fire safety inspectors;
• Migrant farm workers;
• Members of tribal communities; and,
• Individuals experiencing homelessness and those living in shelters, including domestic violence shelters.

Additionally, beginning on Monday, March 29, frontline essential workers in the following categories are also eligible for vaccination:

• Food production, agriculture, and food distribution;
• Eldercare and support;
• Warehousing and logistics;
• Social services support staff;
• Elections personnel;
• Hospitality;
• Medical supply chain;
• Postal and shipping services;
• Clergy; and,
• Judicial system.

Additionally, the eligibility list will indicate that all individuals ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that increase the risk or might increase the risk of severe illness from the virus, are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination.

Click here, for the full announcement. 

The increased capacity for religious services and certain collegiate sporting events takes effect immediately but may not exceed 35% of a room's capacity.  Separately, sports and entertainment venues with a fixed capacity of 5000 or more may reopen on March 1st but may not exceed 10% capacity for indoor venues and 15% capacity for outdoor venues.

For details, please read EO-125.

For details, see EO-219.

The Washington Township Health Department que también sirve al municipio de Chester, ha abierto una línea de recursos para obtener información sobre la vacunación del COVID-19 y recursos mientras se está en cuarentena o aislando. Para información, por favor llame al 908-441-2597 de 8:00 a 15:00 h de lunes a viernes, y de 9:00 a 15:00 los sábados.

You can also preregister for vaccination eligibility notification and determine what phase you will fall under at: https://covid19.nj.gov/vaccine

Additional eligibility information is available here.

Morris County has established a COVID Hotline where further information can be obtained. This Hotline can be reached at 973-829-8250. The hotline is staffed 7 days each week, during business hours.

For more information about statewide vaccination site locations and to preregister for a vaccination visit https://covid19.nj.gov/vaccine

For more information on CDC criteria for eligibility, please click here.

•  Medical screeners
•  Monitors for the post-vaccination area
•  Data entry

The Mega POD will run from 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week, for 6 months. Full 12-hour shifts or two 6-hour shifts will be offered. If you are interested in helping, please register for the Medical Reserve Corp online at:
https://health.morriscountynj.gov/public/mrc/
Please email morriscountymrc@co.morris.nj.us to make them aware that your application was submitted. Please include questions relating to the MRC, training and scheduling to that address.
Please copy the Health Department at health@wtmorris.net on the email to County MRC so that we can follow up to ensure that your application is processed.

Healthcare personnel are paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials.

This includes any type of worker within a healthcare setting. Examples include, but are not limited to:

✓ licensed healthcare professionals like doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists

✓ staff like receptionists, janitors, mortuary services, laboratory technicians

✓ consultants, per diem, and contractors who are not directly employed by the facility

✓ unpaid workers like health professional students, trainees, volunteers, and essential caregivers

✓ community health workers, doulas, and public health professionals like Medical Reserve Corps

✓ personnel with variable venues like EMS, paramedics, funeral staff, and autopsy workers

✓ other paid or unpaid people who work in a healthcare setting, who may have direct or indirect

Please visit COVID19.nj.gov/vaccine site or the link below for more information and to find a vaccination site

https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/slowing-the-spread/if-i-am-a-healthcare-worker-staff-or-resident-of-a-long-term-care-facility-or-other-member-of-phase-1a-where-can-i-get-vaccinated

The newsletter includes updates on vaccine news as well as the state’s vaccination planning.

Morris County, the Washington Township Health Department, and Washington Township Board of Health have coordinated plans to provide immunization clinics for residents.

The distribution of vaccine is based on a federal plan which prioritizes specific groups such as healthcare workers and critical infrastructure employees. The second group includes people with chronic medical conditions and seniors, followed by the general public.

For the latest information on vaccine safety, when vaccinations will become available, and other updates, residents are urged to routinely check the Township website and the NJ Department of Health COVID-19 vaccination website:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_vaccination.shtml

The Morris County Division of Public Health also provides updated information:

https://health.morriscountynj.gov/public/healthdepts/

Stay informed and continue preventive efforts including getting tested, wearing a mask, social distancing, good hand hygiene, not touching your eyes or face, and following cough and sneeze etiquette. Together we can keep Washington Township a healthy community.

CSOC - Quick Facts

CSOC flyer - MRSS  

CSOC Minority Mental Health Flyer (1)

Holiday celebrations during COVID-19 Morris County

Morris County is now offering at-home, COVID-19 saliva and nasal testing at no cost to people who want to be tested.

• Only Morris County residents and people who work in Morris County are eligible.
• If you work in Morris County, but do not live here, you must submit proof of employment in the county such as an employee identification card or your employer’s contact information. Once that information is confirmed by our staff, you will receive an email with further instructions.
• You will be asked to provide your health insurance information, but you will not be billed. If you are not insured, your test will still be completed with no cost to you.
• Due to limited supplies, individuals will be limited to two tests per month.

Sign up for free at-home testing at morriscountycovid19.org.

The order pauses indoor practices and competitions for youth and adult sports from Saturday, December 5 at 6:00 a.m. through Saturday, January 2, 2021. The EO also lowers the outdoor gatherings limit from 150 people to 25 people, effective Monday, December 7 at 6:00 a.m.

The governor's office summary notes:

Outdoor Gatherings

Wedding ceremonies, funerals, memorial services, and religious and political activities are not subject to the outdoor gatherings limit. All other types of gatherings, such as a high school football game or an outdoor concert, will be limited to 25 individuals.  Athletes, coaches, referees and other individuals necessary for a professional or collegiate sports competition are not counted towards the 25-person limit.  

For other adult and youth sports occurring outdoors, the number of individuals necessary for a game or practice can exceed the 25-person limit, but only if no individuals who are not necessary for the event, such as spectators, are present.

Outdoor gatherings continue to be subject to strict social distancing restrictions, including the requirement to wear masks whenever it is not possible to social distance.

Addiction Support Groups

Indoor meetings of addiction groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, are not limited to 10 individuals, but will instead be limited to 25 percent of the capacity of the room in which they take place, up to a maximum of 150 individuals.

The complete order is available here.

The number of individuals at indoor gatherings that are not religious services or celebrations, political activities, wedding ceremonies, funerals, or memorial services shall be limited to 10 persons. The number of individuals at indoor gatherings that are religious services or celebrations, political activities, wedding ceremonies, funerals, or memorial services shall be limited to 25 percent of the capacity of the room in which it takes place, but regardless of the capacity of the room, such limit shall never be larger than 150 persons or smaller than 10 persons. Under the order, any private residence or residential unit shall be treated as a single “room”. Legislative proceedings of state, county, or local government, including local Boards of Education, and state and local judicial proceedings are not subject to the capacity limits on gatherings in this or any other applicable Executive Order.

Professional and collegiate athletic competitions that are conducted indoors are subject to the current indoor gathering limit of 10 persons, not including athletes, coaches, referees, and trainers, and other individuals who are necessary for the competitive professional or collegiate sporting events. The number of individuals present inside facilities where indoor professional or collegiate athletic competitions are taking place may not exceed 25 percent of the capacity of the room in which it takes place, and such limit may not exceed 150 persons.

All other athletic practices and competitions that are conducted indoors are subject to the current indoor gathering limit of 10 persons. However, if the number of individuals who are necessary for a no-contact practice, contact practice, or competition, such as players, coaches, and referees, is greater than 10 persons, such a practice or competition may proceed, as long as no individuals are present who are not necessary for the practice or competition, such as spectators. If this exception applies, the number of individuals at such an indoor gathering still may not exceed 25 percent of the capacity of the room in which it takes place, and such limit may not exceed 150 persons.

The number of individuals at outdoor gatherings shall be limited to 150 persons or fewer. An outdoor gathering that is a religious service or celebration, political activity, wedding ceremony, funeral, or memorial service is not required to comply with the numerical limit on persons.

Outdoor entertainment centers where performances are viewed or given, including movie theaters, performing arts centers, and other concert venues, must limit the number of patrons in any outdoor area where a performance is viewed or given to a number that ensures that all individuals can remain six feet apart, but such limit shall never be larger than 150 persons.

Professional and collegiate athletic competitions that are conducted outdoors are subject to the outdoor gathering limit of 150 persons not including athletes, coaches, referees, and trainers, and other individuals who are necessary for the competitive professional or collegiate sporting events.

All other sports practices and competitions that are conducted outdoors are subject to the outdoor gathering limit of 150 persons, inclusive of athletes, coaches, referees, and trainers.

For details, please read EO-196.

Effective Nov 17:
Indoor gatherings are limited to a MAXIMUM of 10 people

Effective Nov 23:
Outdoor gatherings are limited to a MAXIMUM of 150 people

The following indoor gatherings may continue under the current rules – limited to 25% of a room’s capacity, up to 150 people:
Religious services/celebrations and political events
Weddings
Funerals/memorial services
Performances

The Executive Order(s) implementing the restrictions are not yet available.

The order reads, in part:

a. Require that individuals at the worksite maintain at least six feet of distance from one another to the maximum extent possible, including but not limited to during worksite meetings, orientations and similar activities that would traditionally require individuals to be present in a single room or space and in close proximity, in common areas such as restrooms and breakrooms, and when individuals are entering and exiting the workplace. Where the nature of an employee’s work or the work area does not allow for six feet of distance to be maintained at all times, employers shall ensure that each such employee wears a mask as provided in subsection b. and shall install physical barriers between workstations wherever possible.

b. Require employees, customers, visitors, and other individuals entering the worksite to wear cloth or disposable face masks while on the premises, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) recommendations, except where the individual is under two years of age or where it is impracticable for an individual to wear a face mask, such as when the individual is eating or drinking or where a service being provided by the employer cannot be performed on an individual who is wearing a mask; i. Masking requirements specific to employees: 1. Employers may permit employees to remove face masks when the employees are situated at their workstations and are  more than six feet from other individuals at the workplace, or when an individual is alone in a walled office; 2. Employers must make available, at their expense, such face masks to their employees; 3. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent employees from wearing a surgical-grade mask or other more protective face mask, or interfere with the employer’s obligation to provide employees with more protective equipment if it is otherwise required because of the nature of the work involved; and 4. Employers may deny entry to the worksite to any employee who declines to wear a face mask, except when doing so would violate State or federal law. Where an employee cannot wear a mask because of a disability, an employer may, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and/or New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“NJLAD”), be required to provide the employee with a reasonable accommodation unless doing so would be an undue hardship on the employer’s operations. An employer may require employees to produce medical documentation supporting claims that they are unable to wear a face mask because of a disability. ii. Masking requirements specific to customers and visitors: 1. Employers may deny entry to the worksite to any customer or visitor who declines to wear a face mask, except when doing so would violate State or federal law. The employer may be required to provide a customer or visitor who declines to wear a mask due to a disability services or goods via a reasonable accommodation, pursuant to ADA and NJLAD, unless such accommodation would pose an undue hardship on the employer’s operations; and 2. Where a customer or other visitor declines to wear a face mask on the premises due to a disability that inhibits such usage, neither the employer nor its employees shall require the individual to produce medical documentation verifying the stated condition, unless production is otherwise required by State or federal law. iii. Any prior requirements imposed by an Executive Order restricting the ability of an employer to require the production of medical documentation, or to deny entry to a customer,  employee, or other visitor to the worksite that refuses to wear a face mask, that are inconsistent with the terms of this Paragraph are hereby superseded. iv. Subsection b. shall not apply to employers subject to Executive Order No. 175 (2020).

c. Provide sanitization materials, such as hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and sanitizing wipes that are approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for SARS-CoV-2 virus to employees, customers, and visitors at no cost to those individuals;

d. Ensure that employees practice regular hand hygiene, particularly when such employees are interacting with the public, and provide employees break time for repeated handwashing throughout the workday and access to adequate hand washing facilities. Employers may adopt policies that require employees to wear gloves in addition to regular hand hygiene. Where an employer requires its employees to wear gloves while at the worksite, the employer must provide such gloves to employees;

e. Routinely clean and disinfect all high-touch areas in accordance with DOH and CDC guidelines, particularly in spaces that are accessible to employees, customers, or other individuals, including, but not limited to, restrooms, hand rails, door knobs, other common surfaces, safety equipment, and other frequently touched surfaces including employee used equipment, and ensure cleaning procedures following a known or potential exposure are in compliance with CDC recommendations;

f. Prior to each shift, conduct daily health checks of employees, such as temperature screenings, visual symptom checking, self-assessment checklists, and/or health questionnaires, consistent with CDC guidance, including latest CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 symptoms, consistent with the confidentiality requirements of the ADA, NJLAD and any other applicable laws, and consistent with any guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) and the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights;

g. Immediately separate and send home employees who appear to have symptoms, as defined by the CDC, consistent with COVID-19 illness upon arrival at work or who become sick during the day. Employers subject to the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law, New Jersey Family Leave Act, N.J.S.A. 34:11D-12 and/or federal leave laws must continue to follow the requirements of the law, including by allowing individuals to use accrued leave in the manner permitted by law and employer policy, when requiring employees to leave the workplace in accordance with the provisions of this subparagraph;

h. Promptly notify all employees of any known exposure to COVID-19 at the worksite, consistent with the confidentiality requirements of the ADA and any other applicable laws, and consistent with guidance from the EEOC;

i. Clean and disinfect the worksite in accordance with CDC guidelines when an employee at the site has been diagnosed with COVID-19 illness; and

j. Continue to follow guidelines and directives issued by the New Jersey DOH, the CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as applicable, for maintaining a clean, safe and healthy work environment.

For details, please read EO-192.

Executive Order No. 191 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Trick or treating hours in Washington Township are set by Chapter 74 of the Township Code. Trick or treating by any person shall take place in Washington Township only between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on October 31 of each year. There is a 10 p.m. curfew Oct. 28 until Nov. 1 of each year.

Effective at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, September 4, 2020, restaurants, cafeterias, dining establishments, and food courts, with or without a liquor license, bars, and all other holders of a liquor license with retail consumption privileges, collectively referred to as “food or beverage establishments,” are permitted to offer in-person service at indoor areas, provided that the establishment complies with certain requirements. For details, please read EO-183.

Any retail, recreational, and entertainment business that is authorized to open its indoor premises to the public may allow the consumption of food, beverages, or smoking in those indoor premises, when otherwise permitted by State law. The State-mandated prohibition of smoking in any outdoor areas designated for the consumption of food and/or beverages shall sunset at 6:00 a.m. on Friday, September 4, 2020, although food or beverage establishments may choose to continue this prohibition if otherwise permitted to do so by State law.

The number of individuals at indoor gatherings that are not religious services or celebrations, political activities, wedding ceremonies, funerals, or memorial services shall be limited to 25 percent of the capacity of the room in which it takes place, but regardless of the capacity of the room, such limit shall never be larger than 25 persons or smaller than 10 persons. The number of individuals at indoor gatherings that are religious services or celebrations, political activities, wedding ceremonies, funerals, or memorial services shall be limited to 25 percent of the capacity of the room in which it takes place, but regardless of the capacity of the room, such limit shall never be larger than 150 persons or smaller than 10 persons.

All attendees at an indoor gathering must wear face coverings at all times except where doing so would inhibit the individual’s health, where the individual is under two years of age, or when wearing a face covering is impracticable, such as when an individual is eating, drinking, or smoking.

For more info on indoor dining please see DOH Indoor Dining Standards 090120

Also see NJDOH Health Club Guidance