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Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The League is here to help local governments managing public health crises.
The Governor declared a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency initially on March 9, 2020, and has since issued a number of Executive Orders to flatten the curve of coronavirus. As the second wave of infection and hospitalization buffets the state's residents, the Governor is cautiously revisiting restrictions to indoor and outdoor dining, events, and gatherings.
With the roll-out of vaccines on an emergency basis for frontline workers and those most at risk underway, the Department of Health and many federal, state, and local agencies are working together to create a safe and effective distribution plan.
A multi-stage approach to executive a responsible and strategic economic restart was announced on May 18. New Jersey ended maximum restrictions and moved to Stage One of The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health, May 18, 2020.
The numbers of cases dropped over the summer but began climbing again in the fall, resulting in travel restrictions, a new Executive Order putting some limits on dining and sports, and employee protection requirements.
Here we provide references for information and assistance.
Vaccine Information
The website to pre-register for the vaccine is live now: https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/
This will allow the general public to pre-register for eligibility, and allow them to input their personal, contact, health insurance, and demographic information. It will also allow for individuals to schedule an appointment for those who are immediately eligible based on screening questions.
Social Distancing, Quarantines, & Safety
While Gov. Murphy is still encouraging work from home where possible, many municipalities are responding to the needs of their communities by allowing safe operations of schools and businesses.
- NJ Department of Health Contract Tracing Dashboard; Recommendations for Local Health Departments for K-12 Schools
- Travel Advisory voluntary 14-day self-quarantine states
- NJ Department of Labor: Returning to Work: Health, Safety, Childcare and & Caregiving
- Civil Service Commission Information for County and Local Governments Under the Jurisdiction of the New Jersey Civil Service Commission
- The Road Back: One Jersey Pledge Employers/Employees flier; Business/Customers flier
- 5 Things You Should Know About Civil Rights and COVID-19
- Municipal Responses and operations
- Op-Ed June 15 NJ Spotlight by NJ Urban Mayors: One Size Does Not Fit All for Reopening Urban New Jersey
- New Jersey State Library: Library reopening plans & guidance
- New Jersey Business and Industry Association Back to Work Best Practices
Local Response
Local and state officials, in consultation with federal officials as appropriate, and based on the scope of the COVID-19 outbreak and the severity of illness, will have to make decisions on the implementation of interventions.
Communities can take measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, coronavirus. Community-based interventions including school dismissals, event cancellations, social distancing, and creating employee plans to work remotely are helping to flatten the COVID-19 curve.
The following are tools for local officials.
Reference Tools
New Jersey Resources
- Communication from the League of Municipalities
- NJLM COVID-19 Grants News Flash
- Munis Are Essential Press Conference with League Officials, Mayors, June 23, 2020
- Update on COVID-19 State and Local Update March 26, 2020, NJLM webinar presentation
- New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub; SURVEY for Businesses & Nonprofits COVID-19 Reopening/Recovery Survey
- NJ Office of the Governor YouTube Channel with coronavirus press conferences, child care subsidy program announcement
- Governor’s Restart & Recovery CommissionGovernor’s Restart & Recovery Commission; Restart and Recovery Advisory Council
- The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health
- NJ Court closings state, county and local court closing information center
- NJ Department of Banking & Insurance response to COVID-19, Bulletin to banking and insurance entities, Banking bulletin, Mortgage and loan servicers other regulated entities bulletin
- NJ Department of Children and Families guidance
- NJ Civil Service Commission Guidelines for State Employee Leave Time and FAQs
- NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Guidance for Remote Public Meetings in New Jersey,
- NJ DCA DLGS Guidance For Property Tax Interest Rate Reduction; NJ Division of Local Government Services Health Emergency Public Meeting Guidance and Emergency Procurement Guidance
- NJ DCA Division of Fire Safety Bureau of Fire Code Enforcement COVID-19 Concerns
- NJ Department of Consumer Affairs Resources for Consumers
- NJ Department of Education requirements for public health-related school closures
- NJ Department of Environmental Protection Mask Up Program & Materials; Division of Parks and Forestry State Parks Closures
- NJ Department of Health COVID-2019 resource page; Outdoor Pool Standards, co-pay waiver information, NJ COVID-19 Dashboard, and Law Enforcement COVID-19 information sharing
- NJ Department of Human Services regarding testing payments; Novel Coronavirus Information Page
- NJ Department of Labor benefits, employment, and the coronavirus
- NJ Department of Law and Public Safety Administrative Order on Essential Retail Businesses, Beaches, and Boardwalks
- NJ Department of Treasury May 22, 2020 Budget Update
- NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits, SHBP/SEHBP COVID-19 Response
- NJ EDA Initiatives to Support Small Businesses; Goldman Sachs, Pursuit Provide $10 million for NJ Small Business; NJ Business guidance
- NJ Government Records Council special statement on OPRA requests
- NJ Job Portal to connect out-of-work residents with opportunities in critical industries.
- NJ Municipal Excess Liability Joint Insurance Fund (MEL JIF) COVID-19 resource center
- NJ MVC Agency, Inspection Station Closures
- NJ State, County, and Local Libraries’ closures
- Locations of COVID-19 testing centers
Federal Resources
- FEMA Assistance information on reimbursements for local governments’ emergency costs; FEMA Approval for Non-Congregate Sheltering in Response to COVID-19; FEMA public assistance grants.
- US Census Bureau Covid-19 Demographic and Economic Resources
- CDC-Response page what you should know, information, and situation updates. Face covering guidance
- Executive Office of the President Guidance on Federal Telework/Flexibilities in Response to coronavirus memo
- HUD resource page including COVID-19-related rule changes and homelessness response
- Department of Justice Report COVID-19 Fraud
- Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Department of Treasury response to CARES bill; Reporting IRS-Related Coronavirus Scams; Guidance and FAQ regarding Coronavirus Refielf Fund direct payments.
- CDC- Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission
- CDC – FAQs and Answers and downloadable workplace, school, and home guidance.
- CDC – Coronavirus Disease 2019 updated regularly at noon Mondays through Fridays. Numbers close out at 4 p.m. the day before reporting
- CDC Communication Resources Free resources including video, fact sheets, and posters available for use and distribution
- Social Security online services or call 1-800-772-1213
- OSHA Preparing workplaces and other resources; Workplace COVID-19 Resources and Information
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences COVID-19 in the workplace
Non-Governmental Resources
- NJ Chamber of Commerce: Buy NJ - Support Local Businesses
- World Health Organization rolling updates on COVID-19 and situation reports
- Government Technology Resource list of tools for leaders’ responses, including model policies and technology solutions.
- International City/County Management Association Coronavirus resource page with considerations for local governments
- Bloomberg Philanthropies Coronavirus Local Response Initiative helping cities respond to the coronavirus
- Amtrak travel guidance
- NJ Transit precautionary measures
- NLC Answers to key questions on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- NLC and Bloomberg Philanthropies COVID-19: Local Action Tracker
- New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence: Increasing Survivor Safety During COVID-19
- New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund
- New Jersey Community Capital’s Garden State Relief Fund
- New Jersey Healthcare Quality Institute COVID-19 Resources Page
- AARP’s COVID-19 Older Adult Response Initiative
Guidance for Local Officials:
PPE Wholesale Supplier Registry. Information about the vendors and products from the State assisting private businesses and organizations in New Jersey access potential suppliers for PPE and other COVID-related goods and services.
NLC has published a blog post titled “Hazard Pay Decisions Challenge City Leaders”
NLC Survey Results on how residents are feeling about local, state, and federal response to COVID-19.
Response Resources for Local Leaders from the National League of Cities
Essential Workers Memorandum on identification of essential critical infrastructure workers during COVID-19 response from Christopher C. Krebs, Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of Homeland Security.
Polling Locations Recommended Precautions for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 in Election Polling Locations, including Cleaning and Disinfection
Sustainable Jersey 2020 Certification cycle changes
EMS & 911 Interim Guidance for EMS Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points for COVID-19 in the United States
Risk Assessment Assessing & Managing Risk Based on Different Exposures to COVID-19
State Quarantine & Isolation Statutes from National Conference of State Legislatures
OSHA & COVID-19 OSHA issues pertaining to coronavirus from Genova Burns
Small Business Administration Guidance & Loan Resources
Community Transportation Association of America COVID-19 Resource Center
Many of the same precautions taken to avoid the flu can be taken to help avoid the spread of COVID-19. One of the best ways to help prevent the spread of any illness, including COVID-19 is proper handwashing. Please see the CDC’s website for the most effective handwashing techniques and how to promote them to your community. VIDEO: What You Need to Know About Handwashing
Archive Articles
Preparing Local Government Workplaces from the University of North Carolina School of Government
Gatherings & Community Events Interim Guidance: Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
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President Biden Releases COVID-19 Action Plan and Takes Related Executive Action
President Joe Biden has released the “National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness” that outlines seven specific goals to combat the pandemic. Read on... -
Week of January 18: COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 news continued to center on vaccinations. U.S. Senators Menendez and Booker announced federal funding for the vaccination program, the state’s testing capacity, vaccine distribution. Gov. Murphy extended the public health emergency 30 days Read on... -
COVID-19 Update: Week of January 4
Uniformed police and firefighters, including volunteers, are now eligible to receive the COVID 19 vaccine under Phase 1A, and the Governor announced that the general public can pre-register for eligibility for the vaccine online. Read on...
- Who is responsible for managing public health emergencies in municipalities?
- What tools are available to respond to a public health emergency?
- How do I get questions answered about coronavirus?
- Can our municipality appropriate additional funds to our Local Board of Health to address this epidemic?
- Has any guidance been issued on continuing to comply with OPRA requests?
- When is the new date for primary election day?
- What are the deadlines for school districts with elections postponed until May?
- Where can I find the latest information on the CARES Act?
- Can local governments restrict short-term stays to prevent the spread?
- How can we continue operating when we are experiencing staffing shortages?
- NJ Spotlight: Fiscal Assistance for Local Governments Amid COVID-19 Pandemic?
- Rheostat Government: Replacing the On/Off Switch with a Dimmer
- How Context, History Can Teach Leadership During Pandemic
- The Role of Law Enforcement During COVID-19 Pandemic
- Moving City Council Meetings Online in Response to COVID-19
- How to Identify Your Community's Essential Workers in Local Quarantine Orders