NORTH BRUNSWICK – Of the 98 cases in New Jersey and the 12 in Middlesex County, two are in North Brunswick.
The Township of North Brunswick’s Emergency Management Coordinator, Mark P. Cafferty, declared a State of Local Disaster Emergency the evening of March 15 due to the rapidly evolving outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). He provided updates on the morning of March 16.
Effective immediately, township facilities except public parks and the Police Department lobby will be closed to the public. In addition, certain restrictions will be placed upon service establishments in North Brunswick requiring early closings on a daily basis. Restrictions will stay in effect until further notice, according to information released by the township.
All service establishments in North Brunswick with a liquor license (bars and restaurants) must close to the public on a daily basis no later than 9 p.m. beginning on March 16. Service establishments without a liquor license that have an occupancy of 75 or more (restaurants, event spaces, hotel lobbies, retail establishments, etc.) will be required to close no later than 10 p.m. on a daily basis beginning on March 16.
An exception has been made for the Walmart on Route 1, allowing it to remain open on a 24-hour basis with Department of Health Supervision.
The township strongly encourages businesses to proactively follow guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including social distancing, listing of patrons at their establishments (sign ins) and continual cleaning and sanitation of facilities, according to the statement.
Violators may be subject to fines and penalties including, but not limited to, imprisonment for a period not to exceed 6 months and fines not to exceed $1,000.00 or both, in the discretion of the court, according to the statement.
To minimize exposure for municipal employees, and to ensure continuity of municipal services, all municipal facilities except public parks will be closed to the public, effective immediately, including the Municipal Building (other than the Police Department lobby), the Municipal Court, Public Library, Senior Center and the Department of Public Works.
After March 16, only those municipal employees whose jobs are deemed essential and cannot performed from home will be asked to report to their job location, according to the statement. All other personnel will work from home. The Municipal Building will nonetheless continue to operate and be responsive to resident needs through telephone and online communications.
North Brunswick has set up a COVID-19 hotline for any information, concerns or questions: 732-735-9232. In an emergency, call 911.
Municipal court on March 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 is canceled. You will receive a new date in the mail. Municipal Court offices will be open during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. weekdays.
All township fields are closed to all activities.
All Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services (DPRCS) committee meetings, such as Parks Advisory Committee, Suicide Task Force, Municipal Youth Alliance, Municipal Alliance, Heritage Day, September 11th, Open Space Committee, etc. have been cancelled.
All DPRCS programs and special events have been cancelled.
There will be no programs or events at the Senior Center until further notice. LYFT transportation will be available for individual rides, for those seniors who are registered with the program. Senior Meal delivery will continue as usual.
The Food Bank will be open on March 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. However, the location will be in the back of the Municipal Building, 710 Hermann Road, on the dock. Do not go into the Municipal Building. Go in your car to the dock.
The North Brunswick Library is closed until further notice.
All North Brunswick Township Public Schools will be closed until March 20. Additionally, all co-curricular and athletic activities will continue to be postponed until further notice. As per earlier school notifications, this includes all before/after-hour events, including AM and PM LEAL, scheduled in district facilities.
The Board of Education will be providing “Grab and Go” breakfast and lunch packages while school is not in session. District and Chartwells employees will facilitate distribution from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Babbage Park, Community Park, Sabella Park and Veterans Park.
Updates, information and advisories will be posted at www.northbrunswicknj.gov, the township’s Facebook Page, and will be broadcast hourly on closed circuit Channel 15.