Bloomfield Declares State of Emergency in Response to Covid-19/Coronavirus
The state of emergency order authorizes all township departments to take appropriate action to assist in containing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the COVID-19 outbreak.
BLOOMFIELD, NJ -- Mayor Michael Venezia has issued an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency in Bloomfield. The order authorizes all township departments to take appropriate action to assist in containing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from this COVID-19 outbreak.
“Since the beginning of this crisis we have taken proactive steps in order to stay ahead of it and keep Bloomfield residents safe,” said Mayor Michael Venezia. “We have been in regular contact with state and county health officials to identify the best ways to prevent the spread of this virus. It is clear from listening to public health officials that we cannot hope to flatten the curve without taking aggressive action and that is why I have signed this order today.”
Effective Immediately:
Township Departments
- All necessary township departments are authorized to take appropriate action to assist in containing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the COVID-19 outbreak.
- All protocols necessary and required for opening a Bloomfield Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will be immediately instituted.
- All Township employees must follow all local, County, State and Federal health recommendations, in addition to Centers for Disease Control recommendations including but not limited to hand-washing, sanitizing and basic infection control procedures.
Businesses
- There is an immediate ban on all township business related travel to any states that have reported COVID 19 cases. Similar travel restrictions are strongly recommended for all local travel.
Seniors and Residents with Underlying Health Conditions
- Township residents who are seniors, particularly those with underlying health conditions are strongly encouraged to avoid large crowds and large gatherings while COVID-19 remains a threat.
Emergency Goods and Services
- To combat COVID-19, the township is permitted to whenever necessary purchase the necessary goods or services, which are not available under contracts currently in existence {00098920.1 } with the township, without complying with the New Jersey Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A.40A:11-6 et. seq.)
Parking
- All parking restrictions are suspended until it is determined that an emergency no longer exists.
Township officials are continuing to ask residents to practice social distancing, avoiding large gatherings of people. It is also recommended that you stay at least six feet away from others to avoid the possible spread of the virus.
This emergency proclamation will take effect immediately and will remain in effect until it is determined that an emergency no longer exists. The Executive Order may be supplemented or amended as the COVID-19 health emergency continues to change.
A copy of this Executive Order will be immediately sent to the Town Council and will be available on the Bloomfield website at bloomfieldtwpnj.com.
If you have any questions, the State Health Department has set up a 24-hour hotline to contact at 1.800.222.1222.