Chatham Library, Schools, Senior Center Shut Down

CHATHAM, NJ - Closures this week are a part of how Chatham Township is dealing with the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic.

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As of Monday the School District of the Chatham’s will be closed for a two-week period along with all extracurricular activities. The Library of the Chatham’s and the Senior Center of the Chatham’s will also be closed during that time frame.

Officials said they continue to take very seriously the unique public health threat that COVID-19 poses to our residents and to the Municipal Staff and to help mitigate the inevitable nature of the spread of the virus in Chatham Township they've implemented some new procedures:

• All Township offices remain open but residents are encouraged to contact Township Staff via telephone or email whenever possible.
• All residents and property owners are encouraged to utilize the Township’s online payment options for taxes and sewer utility payments.
• Physical public access to all municipal offices will be limited. A waiting area will be established and instructions are posted inside the Municipal Building.
• The general public will be prohibited from entering the DPW garage and office.
• The Recycling Center will operate on a normal schedule.
• Chatham Recreation events are cancelled until further notice.
• The Municipal gym remains closed for all activities until further notice.
• The Senior Center remains closed until further notice.
• Library of the Chatham remains closed to the public until further notice. Staff is on hand for calls and e-services available are on the website https://chathamlibrary.org/

Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• Schools and colleges across the state continued to cancel classes, move classes online and prepare for an outbreak that could get worse. Read more: Coronavirus NJ School Closures: Here's The Latest (UPDATE)
• Murphy has declared a state of emergency, which allows his administration to expand its powers to treat the illness. Read more: NJ Gov. Murphy Declares State Of Emergency Because Of Coronavirus
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• The second person in New Jersey to die because of the illness was announced on Saturday, March 14. Read more: 2nd Death Due To Coronavirus In New Jersey
• State health officials have issued a long list of coronavirus outbreak guidelines for New Jersey schools and colleges now that the number of cases continues to climb in the United States and across the Garden State. Read more: NJ Issues New Coronavirus Guidelines For Schools, Colleges (UPDATE)
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• The NJ Motor Vehicle Commission also extended expiration dates for driver licenses, registrations and inspection stickers. Read more: NJ Driver's License Changes Because Of Coronavirus Outbreak
• Murphy recommended on Thursday, March 12 that gatherings of 250 people or more should be canceled. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Should Cancel Large Gatherings Due To Coronavirus
• Hospitals also issued additional restrictions to visitors. Read more: New Hospital Restrictions In NJ Coronavirus Outbreak
• Compiled by Johns Hopkins University, this interactive map lets you track confirmed coronavirus cases in real time. Read more: Coronavirus Tracker: Latest Numbers In New Jersey
• Bayer has closed their Morristown and Whippany locations until further notice. Read more: Pharmaceutical Giant Closes NJ Offices Amidst Coronavirus Concern
• PSE&G is giving financially struggling customers a break in "the interest of protecting public health." Read more: PSEG Stops Gas, Electric Shut-Offs As NJ Copes With Coronavirus
• State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended for two weeks, beginning Monday, March 16, to mitigate public exposure to COVID-19 coronavirus.
• Teaneck's mayor urged his community to self-quarantine since cases in his town rose to 18. Read more: Teaneck Mayor Urges Town To Self-Quarantine From Coronavirus
• Ocean County health officials said a pregnant Toms River woman tested positive for the coronavirus. Read more: Pregnant Toms River Woman Is Positive For Coronavirus: County

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.
There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.
While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses.

This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Residents who have questions about the virus can contact the State of New Jersey's hotline at 1 (800) 222-1222. The hotline is home of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, and is staffed 24 hours a day by state health workers.

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