Hoboken Store Workers, Customers Must Wear Masks Amid Coronavirus

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken's Office of Emergency Management on Saturday ordered employees of essential businesses — including restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacies — to always wear a face cover and gloves while serving customers. Customers must also wear face covers while patronizing the businesses.

The directives came on the day that New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy called the worst day statewide since the coronavirus outbreak started, with 200 new coronavirus deaths reported since the day before. The death toll in the Garden State has reached 846, with 34,124 positive cases reported.

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In Hoboken, four people have died from the virus. Mayor Ravi Bhalla said Saturday that the Hoboken Health Department reported an additional 17 positive coronavirus cases since Friday, bringing Hoboken’s total to 184.

Regarding the new face mask directive, Bhalla said that face covers can include a bandana or scarf, or similar material. He wrote, "N95 masks and other PPE are urged to be left for medical professionals and first responders."

The CDC began advising the use of face covers this week. (Here are the CDC guidelines for how and what to wear, and here are tips for making your own mask.)

People are still advised to maintain "social distancing" and stay at least six feet away from strangers.

Regarding face masks, Bhalla noted, "While this may be uncomfortable, our objective is to provide added protection to both employees and residents in indoor confined spaces with a large amount of people filtering in and out throughout the day."

Bhalla also said, regarding the city's testing center for coronavirus at the north end of town, "We are also planning to expand those eligible to be tested for COVID-19 to cover employees of essential businesses in Hoboken that have regular contact with residents. This includes workers at supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, and more."

Store managers should compile the information for employees who may need the test and email Office of Emergency Management Director William Montanez at montanezw@hobokenpd.org.

Bhalla also said the city had set up an emergency food pantry for those in need of food. They can call 551-285-6555 or email hobokenfoodnow@gmail.com.

Hoboken, located directly across the Hudson River from midtown Manhattan, is a mile-square city of 53,000 residents, many of whom normally commute to New York City.

New Jersey residents who have questions about coronavirus can call 211 or 1 (800) 222-1222.

Experts say that the novel coronavirus, because it's new, is more lethal and much harder to treat than the flu.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years. The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

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