SOUTH BRUNSWICK – South Brunswick has been informed by the Middlesex County Health Department that four additional South Brunswick residents tested positive for COVID-19 on April 30, bringing the total number of cases in South Brunswick to 325.
Of the new cases, three individuals are women and one is a male, and they range in age from 18 to 95.
Raymond Hayducka, chief of police and Office of Emergency Management coordinator, thanked the community for support shown to emergency responders and fellow community members.
“Residents have been taking social distancing seriously, which we all know by now helps stop the spread of the virus. Our community members have been supportive of each other, respectful of others, helpful and extremely generous to those in need. These are all characteristics we have come to expect of our South Brunswick residents, and it is touching to see you all stepping up in our community’s time of need,” Hayducka said in a prepared statement.
During the course of this pandemic, Hayducka has been working nonstop with Mayor Charles Carley and the governing body to assure everything is being done to protect the health and safety of township residents.
“I would like to stress that the health and well-being of our community members is my highest priority, and will remain so,” he said in the statement.
On May 2, in keeping with Gov. Phil Murphy’s Executive Order 133, state and county parks will reopen for public use. South Brunswick parks are open and available for use, but playgrounds will remain closed.
“I recognize the need for people to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and get exercise, but I caution everyone to be smart and stay safe, and remember their social distancing strategies to keep our outdoor activities a safe form of recreation,” he said in the statement.
Hayducka offered short video clips to outline the steps to continue combatting the virus:
For adults – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPWzUO-P7GI&feature=youtu.be
For children – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9akfIOVDDo&feature=youtu.be
“Please remember to be safe, stay healthy, and keep doing what we need to do to combat this virus. I can assure you that brighter days are ahead,” Hayducka said.
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Executive Order 133:
Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 133, reopening state parks and golf courses, and restoring the authority of county governments to determine whether county parks will be open or closed. The order takes effect at sunrise on Saturday, May 2.
“We understand that New Jerseyans want to get outside and get some fresh air as the weather warms up,” said Governor Murphy. “However, this should not serve as an open invitation to rush back to normalcy and break the necessary social distancing measures we’ve put in place. This approach will also bring New Jersey in line with our neighboring states, which will discourage residents from needlessly crossing state lines for recreation.”
State Parks and Forests:
The order allows State parks and forests to open to the public for passive recreation, including fishing, hunting, boating, canoeing, hiking, walking, running or jogging, biking, birding, and horseback riding. Picnic areas, playgrounds, exercise stations and equipment, chartered watercraft services and rentals, swimming, pavilions, restrooms, and other buildings and facilities, such as visitor centers, interpretive centers, and interior historical sites, shall remain closed at this time. To limit physical interaction, the State parks and forests must implement reasonable restrictions that include:
*Limiting parking to 50% of maximum capacity and prohibiting parking in undesignated areas;
*Prohibiting picnics;
*Requiring social distancing to be practiced except with immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners; and
*Banning organized or contact activities or sports; and gatherings of any kind.
The order also recommends that people wear a cloth face covering while in public settings at the parks and forests where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
Middlesex County Parks:
Middlesex County parks will reopen to the public at sunrise on Saturday, May 2, as well. Users of county and municipal parks must abide by the restrictions placed on State parks. Playgrounds will remain closed.
Golf Courses:
The order also opens golf courses so long as they adopt minimum social distancing policies that include:
*Implementing electronic or telephone reservation and payment systems while still providing options for populations that do not have access to internet service or credit cards;
*Extending tee times to sixteen minutes apart;
*Limiting the use of golf carts to one person unless being shared by immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners;
*Requiring frequent, and after each use, sanitization of high-touch areas such as restroom facilities, range buckets, golf carts, and push carts;
*Restricting the touching of golf holes and flags;
*Closing golf center buildings, pro shops, and other buildings and amenities;
*Removing bunker rakes and other furniture-like benches, water coolers, and ball washers from the course;
*Discontinuing club and equipment rentals;
*Prohibiting the use of caddies; and
*Limiting tee times to two players unless the foursome consists of immediate family, caretakers, household members or romantic partners.
The golf course may impose additional restrictions as necessary to limit person-to-person interactions. The order also recommends, but does not order, that employees, players, and other individuals on the golf course wear cloth face coverings while on the golf course. Additionally, the order clarifies that miniature golf courses and driving ranges must remain closed.