April 9, 2020 - The Governor has issued several new executive orders yesterday. The primary election has been moved to July 7, following the extensions of the state of emergency Tuesday. Though certain school elections were moved, those in Washington Township are held in November. 

Executive Order 122 ends all non-essential construction projects and imposes additional mitigation requirements on essential retail businesses and industries to limit the spread of COVID-19.This includes requiring workers and customers to wear cloth face coverings while on the premises, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health or where the individual is under two years of age, and require workers to wear gloves when in contact with customers or goods.

Next week, I will be hosting with the Washington Township Recreation Department two “Online Bingo Bonanzas!”. On Tuesday April 14th at 1pm, our first bingo bonanza will be held, open to seniors as I will be learning the ropes as host. Then on Friday, April 17th at 6pm we will hold our second open to the entire community. Please stay tuned to social media and the Township website for login info. 

I also want to thank our volunteers and employees who are making calls to our seniors and others on our well-check list. As social distancing continues, we can find other ways to socialize, benefiting both those receiving our calls and those making them. Take some time today to call a friend or neighbor you haven’t spoken to in awhile and just ask about them, their family or just if they’ve found anything good to watch on TV.

The Washington Township Health Department, in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Health, reports it has confirmed 34 cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Washington Township through April 8, 2020. The Washington Township Health Department has confirmed recoveries in four cases. A confirmed case is those where positive results have been reported to the state and the local Health Department has opened an investigation.  

Visit our COVID-19 Portal for more info and guidelines. If you’re sick, call your healthcare provider. Call your doctor or hospital FIRST before driving. Follow CDC guidelines and stay home as much as possible:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Avoid handshakes. Try an elbow bump.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hand).

• Get a flu shot to prevent the flu if you have not done so this season. 

• Wear a cloth mask in public at grocery stores and where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Mayor Matthew T. Murello