Joint County Request Sent To Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: March 31, 2020

Contact: Shaun C. Van Doren, Freeholder Director

Shaun.vandoren@co.hunterdon.nj.us

Hunterdon and Warren Freeholders Seek Governor’s Help

To Gain Western NJ COVID-19 Federal Test Site

The Freeholder Boards in Hunterdon and Warren County have petitioned Governor Phil Murphy to request a federally supported COVID-19 test site for the western New Jersey area, similar to the request the Governor made for South Jersey last week.

Freeholder Board Directors Shaun C. Van Doren of Hunterdon and Richard D. Gardner of Warren, in a letter to Governor Murphy, wrote, “We are encouraged to learn of your request to the federal government for a COVID-19 test site for the southern New Jersey area and respectfully request that you also seek a federal test site for the western New Jersey area.

Presently the test sites in Bergen and Monmouth County are too far for residents of Hunterdon and Warren Counties to access, particularly with the ‘stay home’ order in effect. Having a test site located in our region would be immensely valuable to the health of our residents.”

The letter noted that Hunterdon County’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) submitted to the New Jersey OEM a Resource Request for a Mass Testing Drive Thru Site Task Force, on March 20, 2020, and Warren County’s OEM has also requested resources to increase testing in the region.

The Freeholder Directors wrote, “A drive thru test site requires, in addition to test kits, the medical personnel needed to administer tests, a substantial quantity of personal protective equipment (PPE), security resources, and a convenient site.

Both Counties are jointly able to contribute significantly to the security resources needed for a test site, however, the state needs to meet the Hunterdon and Warren OEM Resource Requests to affect a western New Jersey test site.”

The Freeholders pointed out, “There are several potential sites for drive thru testing in either County and the Counties will jointly cooperate with the NJOEM and federal authorities to designate an appropriate site for the testing.”

In requesting that the Governor look favorably on the request, the Board Directors said in the letter, “Hunterdon and Warren Counties stand ready to work with your Administration to confront the coronavirus and together work to flatten the curve.”