NP COVID-19 Update:
3/27 7pm
10 Cases
1 Recovered
1 Hospitalized (not in ICU)
Today is a good day for us here in New Providence. Over the past two days we have not had any new cases of Corona in New Providence and we have two less than before. We can anticipate rising numbers as more people are testing, but for now, this is very happy and encouraging news. That being said, we are far from being out of the woods. Social Distancing is PARAMOUNT right now. Please keep at least 6’ apart from each other. Please cooperate with our law enforcement and borough officials’ guidelines and protocols to help us continue to keep our community safe and protected. The weather has been inviting, and fresh air, exercise, and being outdoors is healthy and fun, but many teens and unsupervised children are still gathering and not practicing social distancing. This puts us all at tremendous risk. Our law enforcement is needed to help people in need. Expending resource on policing social distancing is putting an unnecessary burden on us. We are asking for your support and cooperation in helping us manage this situation by asking parents to please speak with your children and young adults to not gather and to practice social distancing. I know people are very concerned when witnessing gatherings and non-social distancing compliance. We are asking that you please immediately contact our police department (908) 665-1111 as this is a matter of public health and safety. Social distancing will be fully enforced.
The sooner we abide by all these protocols, the sooner we can all return to normalcy. Please be safe, please shelter in house, please only go out for fresh air/exercise/walk pets etc, please refrain for all non-essential outings, and please practice social distancing. We will get through this together. Pioneer Strong!
-Mayor Al Morgan
Please note:
On Saturday, March 28, the COVID-19 testing sites at Bergen Community College and PNC Bank Arts Center will accept ONLY symptomatic health care workers and first responders. Beginning Sunday, March 29, the sites will move to a new schedule, which is posted on covid19.nj.gov.
For more information, please go to the borough website at www.newprov.org
Information Recap:
Municipal Closures:
All New Providence public schools, the library, the DeCorso Center, and Municipal Courts are currently closed. All recreation programs are cancelled. The Municipal Center is closed to the public. Our staff is available to assist with time sensitive matters. Please use the Online Payment & Business Center tab options found on the borough website Home page or call or complete a Contact Us form for the department that provides the required service.
All playgrounds in the borough are closed. Parks and fields will remain open but no organized sports activities are permitted. The basketball courts at the community pool and the tennis courts are closed.
For the safety and protection of our residents, social distancing when using our parks and fields is required and will be enforced.
Senior Buddy Program:
The Borough has started a “Senior Buddy” program as an outreach to our most vulnerable population. We are connecting our seniors with borough employees who will be checking in with anyone who feels they may need a little help making it through this time. “Buddies” will have information available about grocery store and pharmacy hours and food delivery, and will also just check in to brighten someone’s day. If you are a resident of New Providence and would like a “Buddy”, please email us at seniorbuddies@newprov.org or call the DeCorso Community Center at (908) 665-0046 (messages are being checked regularly). In the event of a true emergency, please dial 911.
Testing:
Starting Sunday, March 29, the Bergen Community College and PNC Bank Arts Center testing centers sites will move to a staggered schedule, which will be posted on covid19.nj.gov. Each day they are open, they will be able to test 500 people starting at 8 a.m.
We are taking this extraordinary step to preserve the health and safety of the tremendous women and men working these sites.
Starting Saturday, April 4, every Saturday the PNC Bank Arts Center site will be dedicated to symptomatic health care workers and first responders with valid credentials only. The general public will not be able to access this site on Saturdays.
Local Testing Sites:
- PNC Bank Arts Center
116 Garden State Pkwy
Holmdel, NJ 07733
Community-Based Testing Sites are for individuals who are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. In order to be eligible for testing, individuals must be current New Jersey residents and experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. Priority will be given to symptomatic individuals experiencing cough, fever (99.6F or above) and shortness of breath. This drive-thru testing center will be open seven days per week, beginning at 8:00 a.m. until supplies last. Complete the self-assessment to learn what to do. SELF-ASSESSMENT link is on our borough website
- Bergen County Community College
400 Paramus Road
Paramus Campus – Lots B & C
Paramus, NJ 07652
Community-Based Testing Sites are for individuals who are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. In order to be eligible for testing, individuals must be current New Jersey residents and experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness. Priority will be given to symptomatic individuals experiencing cough, fever (99.6F or above) and shortness of breath. This drive-thru testing center will be open seven days per week, beginning at 8:00 a.m. until supplies last. Complete the self-assessment to learn what to do. SELF-ASSESSMENT link available on our borough website at www.newprov.org
Information & Resources:
Listed below is useful information that we have received from the Westfield Board of Health and/or other agencies regarding COVID-19. These lists will be continually updated. Always check the Special Notices on our borough website Home page for the latest updates. Please also check the Westfield Board of Health website for any additional information and the New Providence School District website for school updates.
NJ COVID-19:
Call (General COVID-19 Questions): 2-1-1 (7a-11p) The hotline is open 24/7 and has multi-language capacity. Callers who need medical advice should contact their health care provider.
Call (Clinical Questions): 1-800-962-1253 (24/7)
Text NJCOVID to 898-211 to stay informed via text messaging
A State information clearinghouse has been established for residents and businesses to find information on COVID-19. Visit covid19.nj.gov for complete information.
The NJ Department of Human Services toll free “warm line”- a resource for people seeking mental health service. The warm line is available 24 hours and has operators in multiple languages. The number is (877) 294-HELP (4357).
Further information may also be found by visiting the following websites:
NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/index.html
New Jersey Department of Health: https://www.nj.gov/health/
CDC: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00427.asp
Union County: https://ucnj.org/coronavirus-update/ for updates and information on Union County services
New Jersey Website for Covid-19 Rumor Control:
https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/covid19
New Video Category on Borough Website:
The borough has added a new category called New Providence Now to their website video library. This category will contain videos from the Governing Body addressing current issues and activities in the community. Videos can be found on the the borough website Home page, www.newprov.org below the calendar listings.
The Saturday Recycling drop off at Public Works is cancelled for April 4.
Garbage Collections will begin earlier at 3 AM. Please have your garbage at the curb the night before your scheduled collection.
The Annual Fishing Derby scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2020 in Oakwood Park has been cancelled.
We will continue to keep you updated. Please continue to follow all outlined protocols. Your safety and protection is our first priority. Please continue to check on each other and help each other. Our Police, Volunteer Fire Department, Rescue Squad, and Emergency Management Team are ready and prepared if you need them. Thank you for your cooperation and patience. We will get through this together. Pioneer Strong!