Bergenfield OEM
COVID-19 UPDATE 3/26/20 11:00am

1. Bergenfield currently has 75 COVID-19 positive cases (including 1 fatality). As more residents get tested, numbers are expected to rise.
2. Bergenfield Health Dept. continues to monitor all reported cases of COVID-19 by identifying all places visited and individuals they came in contact with to make sure appropriate measures are taken per CDC and NJ Dept. of Health guidelines.
3. BULK garbage collection for April has been cancelled.
4. Bergenfield OEM's Emergency Operations Center remains open daily.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaBqHMslOzs

MEMORANDUM

Executive Order No. 107

This order revokes all prior mitigation executive orders, and incorporates or modifies their provisions as described below.

“Stay at home” order: All residents are to stay at home or at their place of residence unless they are leaving for the following reasons:

1. Obtaining goods or services from essential retail businesses;
2. Obtaining takeout or food beverages from restaurants;
3. Seeking medical attention, essential social services, or assistance from law enforcement;
4. Visiting family or close friends, caretakers, or romantic partners;
5. Reporting to or performing their job;
6. Walking, running, or engaging in outdoor activities with immediate family, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners;
7. Leaving for an educational, religious, or political reason;
8. Leaving because of a reasonable fear for health or safety; or
9. Leaving at the direction of law enforcement or other government agency.

Individuals who have to travel must practice social distancing when possible and should use public transportation only if they have no other feasible choice.

Cancelling gatherings: Gatherings of individuals, such as parties, celebrations, or other social events, are cancelled, unless otherwise authorized by the Order (i.e. the activities mentioned above). Through a separate Administrative Order, the Colonel of NJSP will make clear that gatherings of fewer than 10 people are presumed to comply with the Order, unless clear evidence indicates otherwise. Colonel Callahan will have the ability to adjust that number and that rule according to circumstances and facts on the ground.

Closing non-essential retail businesses: All non-essential retail businesses, which were previously limited to between 5 am and 8 pm, must now close entirely (online delivery can continue). The list of essential retail businesses that can stay open is limited to the following (Colonel Callahan has authority to amend the list):

1. Grocery and food stores, including retailers like Walmart/Target that sell food;
2. Pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensaries;
3. Medical supply stores;
4. Gas stations;
5. Convenience stores;
6. Ancillary stores within healthcare facilities;
7. Hardware and home improvement stores;
8. Banks and other financial institutions;
9. Laundromats/dry-cleaning services;
10. Stores that principally sell supplies for children under five years old;
11. Pet stores;
12. Liquor stores;
13. Car dealerships, but only for auto maintenance and repair, and auto mechanics;
14. Printing and office supply shops;
15. Mail and delivery stores.

Mandatory telework/work-from-home: All businesses or non-profits in the State must accommodate their workforce, wherever practicable, for telework or work-from-home arrangements. If a business or non-profit has employees that must be on site, it shall reduce staff on site to the minimal number necessary to ensure critical operations can continue. Examples of employees who need to be present at their work site include: law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and other first responders, cashiers or store clerks, construction workers, utility workers, repair workers, warehouse workers, lab researchers, information technology maintenance workers, janitorial and custodial staff, and certain administrative staff.

Recreational and entertainment businesses: All are closed. This is unchanged from what is currently in place but the order reiterates these prohibitions.

Restaurants and other dining establishments: All can remain open, but must continue to be delivery and/or takeout only. This is also unchanged.

Pre-K, K-12, and higher education: All continue to be closed to students. This is unchanged as well.

Blanket exceptions: Nothing in the order shall be construed to affect the operations of (1) health care or medical service providers; (2) access to essential services for low-income residents, including but not limited to food banks; (3) the media; (4) law enforcement; and (5) the operations of the federal government or the movement of federal officials when operating in their official capacity.

Timing: The order will go into effect at 9PM tonight to accommodate the end of the sabbath. It will stay in effect until the Governor revokes or modifies it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQo_lNsCGO8

GUIDANCE ON CLOSURES & RESTRICTIONS IN BERGENFIELD DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC

AS OF 3/19/20  3:00PM

Borough Hall

• Open to the public by appointment only

Daycare

• Mandatory closure for child daycare

Gyms, fitness centers, entertainment centers (movie theaters, concerts, night clubs, etc.)

• Mandatory closure

Parks

• All parks are closed to the public except as noted below.
• Only Cooper’s Pond and the walkways through Memorial Park are open for “passive recreation.”
• No organized activities or use of playground equipment is permitted in any park

Personal-care businesses (barber shops, hair salons, spas, nail/eyelash salons, tattoo parlors, etc.)

• Mandatory closure as of 3/19/20 at 8:00pm

Public Gatherings

• Limited to 50 persons
• Exemptions: medical facilities, offices, factories, industrial/manufacturing work, construction sites, mass transit, purchase of groceries or consumer goods

Restaurants & bars

• Normal business hours are permitted
• Must be take-out or delivery only

Schools

• Buildings are closed to students
• All grounds are closed except the track at BHS is open for “passive recreation” (i.e., jogging)

Stores (essential: grocery, food, pharmacies, medical supply, gas stations, healthcare facilities, etc.)

• No restrictions

Stores (non-essential)

• May open from 5am to 8pm
• Maximum occupancy of 50 people

This list is subject to change.

Ryan Shell, OEM Coordinator

Borough officials are announcing that the number of current positive test results for COVID-19/Coronavirus recorded in Bergenfield is now eight, and that a borough resident has died of COVID-19. The deceased resident was 52 years of age, had been receiving intensive care treatment at a local hospital since testing positive last week and passed away earlier today. 

“On behalf of the Borough Council and our entire community, I want to express our deepest sympathies to the family of the resident whose life was tragically taken by Coronavirus,” said Mayor Arvin Amatorio. “We are working closely with state and county government to implement actions designed to reduce the spread of the virus and we urge all residents to stay in their homes and practice social distancing.” 

Of the eight positive tests, five are currently hospitalized and three are quarantined and recovering at home. Bergenfield Health Department officials are working closely with County and State Health officials investigating each incident for potential community spread and working to identify anyone who has come into contact recently with someone who recorded a positive test. These residents will be required to self quarantine to prevent further spreading of the virus, or to receive medical treatment and testing if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19. 

The Borough of Bergenfield declared a State of Emergency earlier this week and has been frequently updating residents through the borough website, reverse 911 and several other means. Borough officials will continue to communicate important information to residents whenever possible. For the most up to date information, residents should visit bergenfield.com. 

Borough of Bergenfield Declares State of Emergency in Response to Coronavirus 

BERGENFIELD, NJ -- The Borough of Bergenfield’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), upon the recommendation of Mayor Arvin Amatorio and the Council, has officially declared a State of Emergency in order to ensure that the borough has the necessary policies in place to respond to the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic. The declaration will allow borough government to bypass purchasing regulations if necessary, and will also direct all borough departments to create infectious disease control plans, as well as implementing several new policies listed below. 

“While our community has thus far seen fewer positive test results than some of our neighboring towns, we are taking this proactive step to ensure that we are ready to respond to an increase in cases among our residents,” said Mayor Amatorio. “Declaring a State of Emergency will remove regulatory barriers, and I am hopeful that this decisive action will send a signal to all residents to take this crisis seriously and practice social distancing in order to slow the spread of the virus.” 

The State of Emergency declaration mandates the following policy changes: 

• Borough of Bergenfield and Borough offices will be closed to the public (with staff working) effective beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 until further notice, other than by appointment. All citizens are encouraged to contact Borough offices by e-mail or telephone if they have any questions. 
• All public and Board of Education recreational fields, all school grounds, basketball courts, and playgrounds within the Borough of Bergenfield are closed, as well as nursery schools and day care centers, and all organized sports activities within all municipal and Board of Education parks/fields, and recreational activities run by the Borough of Bergenfield or Board of Education are hereby postponed until further notice. 
• All public meetings of non-essential municipal boards and committees are suspended. The Borough Mayor and Council will continue to meet but will discourage in-person attendance by members of the public, while making available means of remote, telephone and computer access by the public for public comment. 
• All places of gathering shall limit attendance at any event or gathering to 100 or fewer persons, in order to comply with CDC guidelines for "social distancing.”
• All residents are encouraged to stay within their own properties, avoid large groups and maintain "social distancing" in accordance with CDC guidance. 
• All workplaces within the Borough are strongly encouraged to implement and observe CDC workplace social distancing measures, such as replacing in-person meetings with teleworking, modifying, postponing or canceling mass gatherings. 
• All places of gathering hosting 25 or more persons are strongly urged to use their best efforts to record the name, address, phone or other appropriate contact information of all employees, patrons, visitors, vendors or any other persons within their facilities in order to aid health officials in the event contact tracing activities should become necessary in connection with their operations. 
• All restaurants and bars are urged to encourage take-out and curbside delivery in lieu of in-restaurant dining, and to reduce seating capacity to increase space between groups of patrons to assist in "social distancing" in accordance with CDC guidelines, by maintaining a distance of 6 feet between groups of diners and patrons.

BOROUGH OF BERGENFIELD
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

TO ALL RESIDENTS AND PERSONS WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF BERGENFIELD, NEW JERSEY, AND TO ALL DEPARTMENTS OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF BERGENFIELD:

WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization designated the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern; and

WHEREAS, on January 31, 2020, the United States Health and Human Services Secretary declared a public health emergency for the entire United States to aid the nation's healthcare community in responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19); and

WHEREAS, the spread of COVID-19 within New Jersey constitutes an imminent public health hazard that threatens and presently endangers the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of one or more municipalities or counties of the State; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, the Governor of the State of New Jersey declared the concurrent invocation of both a State of Emergency pursuant to N.J.S.A. App.A.:9-33 et seq. and a Public Health Emergency as contemplated by N.J.S.A. 26:13-1 et seq., which invoked the authority and powers contemplated by N.J.S.A. 26:13-3, the Emergency Health Powers Act, and remains in effect; and

WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, in response to the health emergency posed by COVID-19, the Bergen County Executive issued Executive Order No. 2020-01, which declared a State of Emergency in Bergen County and established mandates to combat COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the Bergen County Executive issued Supplemental Executive Order No. 2020-01A, which directed further action to be taken to combat COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States, by the authority of sections 201 and 301 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) and consistent with section 1135 of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 1320b-5), declared and proclaimed that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constitutes a national emergency; and

WHEREAS, the Borough is working with federal, state, and local officials and authorities on a daily basis on prevention and mitigation activities that include providing critical information to the public about COVID-19 to provide facts and avoid unnecessary fear, training emergency responders and health professionals about the disease and investigating suspected, presumptive and confirmed cases; and

WHEREAS, the Borough has created a Task Force to make recommendations to combat the virus, and;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the powers vested in me by chapter 251 of the Laws of 1942, as amended and supplemented, N.J.S.A. App. A:9-30 et. seq.; N.J.S.A. 40:48-1(6); N.J.S.A. 2C:33-1 et. seq., whichever law or laws apply, a local emergency disaster is declared to exist within the boundaries of the Borough of Bergenfield; and

WHEREAS, the aforesaid laws authorize the promulgation of such orders, rules and regulations, as are necessary to meet the various problems which have or may be presented by such an emergency; and

WHEREAS, by reason of the conditions which presently exist in all areas of the Borough of Bergenfield which may affect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and persons within the Borough of Bergenfield; and

WHEREAS, it has been determined that these areas of the Borough of Bergenfield should then be declared disaster areas and further that certain measures must be taken in order to insure that the authorities will be unhampered in their efforts to maintain law and order as well as an orderly flow of traffic and further to protect the persons and property of the residents affected by the conditions; and

WHEREAS, the following areas are designated disaster areas:

The entire Borough of Bergenfield

NOW, THEREFORE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AFORESAID LAWS, effective immediately, and until further notice, I do hereby promulgate and declare a State of Emergency within the Borough of Bergenfield, County of Bergen, and State of New Jersey, and do hereby order and direct that:

1. Borough of Bergenfield and Borough offices will be closed to the public (with staff working) effective beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 until further notice, other than by appointment. All citizens are encouraged to contact Borough offices by e-mail or telephone if they have any questions.

2. All public and Board of Education recreational fields, all school grounds, basketball courts, and playgrounds within the Borough of Bergenfield are closed, as well as nursery schools and day care centers, and all organized sports activities within all municipal and Board of Education parks/fields, and recreational activities run by the Borough of Bergenfield or Board of Education are hereby postponed until further notice.

3. All public meetings of non-essential municipal boards and committees are suspended. The Borough Mayor and Council will continue to meet but will discourage in-person attendance by members of the public, while making available means of remote, telephone and computer access by the public for public comment.

4. All places of gathering shall limit attendance at any event or gathering to 100 or fewer persons, in order to comply with CDC guidelines for “social distancing.”

5. All residents are encouraged to stay within their own properties, avoid large groups and maintain “social distancing” in accordance with CDC guidance.

6. All workplaces within the Borough are strongly encouraged to implement and observe CDC workplace social distancing measures, such as replacing in-person meetings with teleworking, modifying, postponing or canceling mass gatherings.

7. All places of gathering hosting 25 or more persons are strongly urged to use their best efforts to record the name, address, phone or other appropriate contact information of all employees, patrons, visitors, vendors or any other persons within their facilities in order to aid health officials in the event contact tracing activities should become necessary in connection with their operations.

8. All restaurants and bars are urged to encourage take-out and curbside delivery in lieu of in-restaurant dining, and to reduce seating capacity to increase space between groups of patrons to assist in “social distancing” in accordance with CDC guidelines, by maintaining a distance of 6 feet between groups of diners and patrons.

Signed:
Ryan Shell, Emergency Management Coordinator

Effective Tuesday March 17th , 2020 By Order of the Bergenfield Health Department all Bergenfield Day Cares will be closed until further notice.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Borough Hall is open for business Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:30pm, however you must call and schedule and appointment with the Department you wish to do business with.

Police & Police Records: please call 201-387-4000

Borough Hall: please call 201-387-4055 followed by the following extension:

• Administration - Ext. # 6
• Accounts Payable - Ext. # 8
• Borough Clerk - Ext. # 6
• Building Department - Ext. # 4
• Court - Ext. # 2
• Dept. of Public Works - Ext. # 3
• Fire Prevention - Ext. # 4174
• Health Department - Ext. # 5
• Mayor's Office - Ext. # 6
• Recreation - Ext. # 9
• Tax Assessor - Ext. # 7
• Tax Collector - Ext. # 7

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you however we all need to understand the severity of this matter and the importance of doing what we can do to protect both the public and our employees.

Respectfully,

Corey Gallo, Borough Administrator