County Officials Urge Residents To Stay Home As Businesses Close

CAMDEN COUNTY, NJ — Camden County officials urged residents to celebrate St. Patrick's Day from home to prevent the spread of new coronavirus, even as Gov. Phil Murphy announced non-essential businesses in New Jersey would shut down as of 8 p.m. Monday night.

“We are at a pivotal moment in our fight against coronavirus; the next several weeks will undoubtedly come to define our country for the foreseeable future,” Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said on Monday. “With the Saint Patrick’s Day holiday tomorrow, we are urging residents of all ages to celebrate from home, connect virtually with their friends and family, and stay out of bars and restaurants."

On Monday morning, the governor announced all movie theaters, restaurants, gyms and casinos in New Jersey will close in an attempt to flatten the curve of the spread of the disease. New Jersey will also not allow gatherings of 50 people or more. Read more here: NJ Coronvirus Curfews: Bars, Restaurants, Theaters To Shut

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There have been 98 cases and two deaths related to the disease in New Jersey. As of Monday morning, two of those cases were in Camden County, both in Cherry Hill.

“The facts have never been clearer — the more face-to-face interaction we partake in, the faster and farther the virus will spread and the more lives we will lose as a result<’ Cappelli said. “If you are young and healthy you can still get sick, and you can still pass the virus to your elderly and immunocompromised friends and loved ones who face a much deadlier threat. Social distancing saves lives, it’s time to take that seriously.”

See related: Camden County Cancels Events Amid Coronavirus Scare

Are you a member of the service industry who has felt the impact of coronavirus on the industry? If you’d like to share your story, email Anthony.Bellano@patch.com.