SITUATION REPORT FOR NEW JERSEY
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SITUATION REPORT FOR NEW JERSEY
13 May 2020
GENERAL SITUATION
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he is "not ready to say" what should be done for schools
to open in September. The governor said he asked schools to plan for a new normal and he
wants to see what happens between now and then.
Gov. Cuomo said that antibody testing in the state has showed that frontline workers,
including police officers and health care workers, have a lower infection rate than the general
population — which he called "good news". Cuomo said that testing showed that in New York
City about 19.9% of the general population tested positive for antibodies. A positive test for
Covid-19 antibodies may indicate the person had been infected with coronavirus. A lower
infection rate amongst frontline workers shows that the precautionary measures being taken
by these essential workers are working, the governor said.
Gov. Cuomo announced that elective surgeries can resume in 12 more counties. In addition,
ambulatory services will also resume in the state.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that his goal is a full reopening of schools in the city in
September but added that there will be “different types of options if we don’t feel it’s safe to
open schools fully”.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced that people in New Jersey will be allowed to gather
in vehicles in cases such as drive-in movies or religious services. The action will not be in
violation of the state's order prohibiting mass gatherings as long as all participants remain in
their cars.
Gov. Murphy said that he hopes to unveil recommendations to towns along the Jersey
Shore in the coming days. He’s hinted before that it could mirror rules at state parks,
which are open but have to limit parking to 50% of capacity.
Gov. Murphy intends to sign a new executive order today that will allow nonessential
construction projects and curbside pickup at retail stores next week, as COVID-19 infections
and hospitalizations trend downward. Retailers can sell goods for pick-up starting at 6 a.m.
Monday, 18 May. Customers won't be allowed inside the stores but can make orders online
or over the phone.Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has extended the stay-at-home order until June 8. It
was originally set to expire on May 15. Bowser noted that the order can be revised at any
time, depending on the data.
NEW JERSEY
Some N.J. supermarkets are limiting meat purchases. What you need to know
before shopping. https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/05/some-nj-supermarkets-are-
limiting-meat-purchases-what-you-need-to-know-before-shopping-may-6-2020.html
Coronavirus in N.J.: What is reopening? When will schools open?
https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/05/coronavirus-in-nj-what-is-reopening-when-will-
schools-open-may-4-2020.html
How can I check if my county parks are open in N.J.?
https://www.nj.com/atlantic/2020/04/how-can-i-check-if-my-county-parks-are-open-in-
nj.html
Coronavirus testing sites in Bergen and Monmouth counties will now conduct testing on any
New Jersey resident, regardless of whether they are exhibiting signs of COVID-19.
Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 120 ceasing all non-essential construction
projects and imposing additional mitigation requirements on essential retail businesses and
essential industries to limit the spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey. The order also outlines
specific protections and policies for all essential retail, manufacturing, and warehousing
businesses, as well as businesses engaged in essential construction projects.
New Guidelines for Essential Retail Stores
• All essential retail must indefinitely limit the number of customers in their stores to 50
percent of their approved capacity.
• Customers and employees must wear face coverings.
• Stores must provide special shopping hours for high-risk individuals, erect physical
barriers between customers and cashiers and baggers where practicable, and regularly
sanitize areas used by their employees.
Cape May temporarily bans short-term rentals: In an executive order issued by the city of
Cape May, all seasonal and short-term rentals are banned beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday. The
restriction is scheduled until May 22 but can be extended or amended depending on future
developments related to the virus.
Supermarkets, grocery stores in New Jersey are shifting hours, adding hours for seniors and
have purchase limits. List of the supermarkets and pharmacies with new policies:
Page 2 of 6https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/04/supermarkets-grocery-stores-are-shifting-hours-
adding-hours-for-seniors-and-have-purchase-limits-what-you-need-to-know-040220.html
Coronavirus in N.J.: What’s open, what’s closed? Restaurants, stores, banks, mail delivery,
malls, UPS, gyms, schools (April 24, 2020)
https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/04/coronavirus-in-nj-whats-open-whats-closed-
restaurants-stores-banks-mail-delivery-malls-ups-gyms-schools-april-24-2020.html
The following restrictions are in force:
Statewide stay-at-home order
Attorney General Gurbir Grewa noted that violators of the orders could be charged from a
disorderly person offense to a second, third or fourth-degree crime. Grewal added that state
officials continue to monitor that stores are not price gouging during the outbreak.
New Jersey Motor Vehicle announced that the NJMVC will grant a two-month extension for
driver licenses, registrations, and inspection stickers expiring in March, April, and May.
Governor Murphy announced that financial institutions will offer, consistent with applicable
guidelines, mortgage payment forbearances of up to 90 days to borrowers economically
impacted by COVID-19. In addition, those institutions will:
• Provide borrowers a streamlined process to request a forbearance for COVID-19-related
reasons, supported with available documentation;
• Confirm approval of and terms of forbearance program; and
• Provide borrowers the opportunity to request additional relief, as practicable, upon
continued showing of hardship due to COVID-19.
HEALTHCARE UPDATES
Established Coronavirus Test Sites in NJ
Testing sites are now open. Find information about FEMA sites and public sites here. Many
other local private testing sites are now open. Contact your healthcare professional to be
directed to a location in your community or search our listing of short-term resources for a
test site near you. Individuals who are undocumented or uninsured are eligible for testing as
well.
Next Steps After Testing:
• Getting your test results is dependent upon where you went for testing. New Jersey's
COVID-19 website explains how best to access these results. Go to this page and click on
the question: "I was tested for COVID-19. How do I get my results?"
• Here's what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 (Spanish version)
• Here's what to do if you test negative for COVID-19 (Spanish version)
Page 3 of 6For more information on COVID-19 in NJ: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
The following link lists most of the healthcare providers in the United States and their actions
in relation to COVID-19:
https://www.ahip.org/health-insurance-providers-respond-to-coronavirus-covid-19/
MASS TRANSIT
Amtrak:
https://www.amtrak.com/northeastsaverfares?cmp=pdsrch-
NEC|Brand|Destinations|Exact-
google&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2KCBoYqv6QIVC7LICh3fsQVLEAAYASAAEgKvrPD_BwE
New Jersey Transit/Rail:
https://www.njtransit.com/
BANKING
ATM Withdrawals: Pay no fees for your first 15 withdrawals per month at non-UNFCU ATMs
outside the CO-OP and All point networks. This applies to members using their UNFCU debit
card. The operators of these ATMs may impose their own additional fees. UNFCU may revise
the number of ATM withdrawals that can be made without fees at any time.
Share Certificates: Pay no penalties on early withdrawals. Withdraw some or all of your money
before the maturity date.
UNFCU has advised that they have loan modification programs in place for members who are
experiencing financial hardships due to the COVID-19 virus. Their solutions can include
deferred or reduced loan payments to help impacted members.
Visit: www.unfcu.org/COVID-19 for the latest credit union updates.
TD Bank updates on branch closures and hours:
https://www.td.com/us/en/personal-banking/COVID-19/
List of banks offering relief to customers affected by COVID-19:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2020/03/12/list-of-banks-offering-relief-to-
customers-affected-by-coronavirus/#1b141413ee3d
Page 4 of 6STIMULUS PACKAGE
Employers and self-employed individuals:
Provisions: They may defer the 6.2 percent tax they pay on wages that is used to fund Social
Security. The deferred tax will have to be paid over the following two years: half by Dec. 31,
2021, and the other half by Dec. 31, 2022.
Checks for individuals and families:
The Treasury Department expects to distribute the checks in the next two to three weeks. If
you've already filed your 2019 taxes, the IRS will use those returns to determine your rebate.
If not, your 2018 returns will be used to calculate your check. The checks would not be
counted as income or taxed.
Individuals
• $75,000 or less: $1,200
• $75,001 - $98,999: decreases from $1,200 by 5 percent based on income
• $99,000 or more: no check
Families
• $150,000 or less: $2,400
• $150,001 - $197,999: decreases from $2,400 by 5 percent based on income
• $198,000 or more: no check
Stimulus Check Calculator: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/taxes/T023-S001-stimulus-
check-calculator-2020/index.php
If you received a stimulus check for a relative who passed away please, send the
money back:
https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/05/if-you-received-a-stimulus-check-for-a-dead-
relative-send-the-money-back-feds-say.html
FLIGHTS/HOTELS/CRUISE TRAVEL
Travel Advisories: The U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
Country Specific Information from the U.S. Dep. of State:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-
Information.html
Page 5 of 6Flight / hotel / cruise reservations change and cancellation policies: (scroll down)
https://help.amextravel.com/service/?inav=travel_help2#/articles/872/61/25689
Flight cancellations by region and airline:
https://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/50105499/covid-19-flight-cancellations-by-region-
and-airline/#europe
Flight waivers and refund policies by airline:
https://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/50104455/covid-19-flight-waivers-and-refund-
policies-by-airline/
Here's how US airlines are handling social distancing on flights:
• Delta Air Lines said it would cap capacity at 50% in first class and 60% in other
classes. That’s the furthest formal step of the largest US airlines.
• American Airlines is reducing the number of middle seats it makes available for customers
to select. The airline has announced that half of the middle seats are generally off-limits
and it “will only use those middle seats when necessary”. It will also allow passengers to
move to another seat in their class once all passengers are onboard.
• United is also making some middle seats unavailable for customers to select. But the
company is also not reducing capacity on flights, so a passenger could be given a middle
or adjacent seat. When seats are in groups of two, the airline says it will place customers
in alternating spots – for example, window in one row, aisle in the next row.
• Southwest Airlines, the only major carrier without assigned seats or different cabin
classes, as of this weekend, is under-selling each flight by “roughly a third”. That allows
each middle seat to potentially remain empty. But CEO Gary Kelly said the airline does not
plan to mandate that all middle seats remain empty.
• Frontier announced today that it is taking a different approach. It will allow customers to
buy out the middle seat in their row, guaranteeing some level of distancing. Prices start
at $39 per flight.
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