Activities Suspended, State of Emergency Declared by City of Hoboken

Hoboken has announced a State of Emergency as it prepares for Coronavirus. While there are currently no reported cases in Hoboken, the prevailing mood is one of precaution.

“Today, our Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has declared a State of Emergency in Hoboken as we continue to make preparations to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Although there are no confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Hoboken, this action will allow OEM and the City to take proactive action in the days and weeks ahead to protect the health and safety of our residents,” says Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

Update from Mayor Bhalla on COVID-19: State of Emergency declared by Hoboken Office of Emergency Management pic.twitter.com/vQziDKIQmE

— City of Hoboken (@CityofHoboken) March 12, 2020

According to the City of Hoboken, all non-essential City-run events and meetings have been canceled until further notice, effective March 13, 2020. This includes:

• All City-run recreation activities and sports for children and adults, and closure of all city recreation fields and facilities
• The Planning Board, Zoning Board, and all municipal volunteer board meetings
• Public meetings including the Neumann Leathers and NJ Transit Records Buildings meetings scheduled for next week

They are currently exploring alternative options to host the City Council meeting scheduled for next week.

Meanwhile, the Hoboken Office of Emergency Management has authorized the construction of a medical tent on 4^th Street outside of the Hoboken University Medical Center to help manage the anticipated surge of patients given COVID-19.

As recommended by the Hoboken Health Department, if you are a resident of Hoboken and believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, you should contact your healthcare provider first instead of going to the emergency room. Carepoint is urging all residents to observe this protocol to keep the emergency room available for those needing critical emergency care.

“I am strongly discouraging any larger discretionary gatherings within the City of Hoboken,” says Bhalla. “If you are planning on holding an event, please consider rescheduling it to a later date, to help protect the safety of our residents.”

Meanwhile, City Hall itself will remain open, but residents are discouraged from coming by unless absolutely necessary.

“If you are planning on coming to Hoboken City Hall for any service, please be sure to call ahead to book an appointment, and speak to City staff over the phone instead if possible,” says Bhalla. “Many municipal functions, especially in our Hoboken Parking Utility, can be completed online at http://www.hobokennj.gov as opposed to in person.”

Residents having a medical emergency should call 9-1-1. If you believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, you may also contact the Hoboken Health Department at 201-420-2000 ext. 5211.

According to the City, it is critically important for residents to stay home if you are sick and remain home for at least 24 hours until symptoms resolve. All residents are advised to continue washing and sanitizing your hands frequently, and work from home if you can for the near future.

Additional information will soon be provided from the Hoboken Health Department on recommendations for local schools regarding COVID-19.