Reopening: Hoboken Opens Rapid Coronavirus Tests To Local Workers

HOBOKEN, NJ — The city of Hoboken announced Tuesday afternoon that they will now offer rapid coronavirus testing at the uptown testing location to anyone employed by a Hoboken business, whether a resident or not. The expansion is meant to help small businesses "in preparation for a gradual re-opening" after lockdowns due to the virus, a Nixle alert said.

Employees don't have to have symptoms to get tested. The city will cover the cost of the test, which is offered by Riverside Medical Group.

To register, the Hoboken business owner or employee should call the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) at 201-420-5621 during business hours. (Residents can call the same number for information.)

Employees can walk or drive to the center, near 15th Street, at the designated time.

"Hoboken is committed to providing businesses with the tools they need to safely re-open," said Mayor Ravi Bhalla in the release.

Gov. Phil Murphy has been allowing certain non-essential businesses to open, with safety restrictions in place. He unveiled a multi-stage plan last week to open other facilities and businesses.

As of Tuesday, the number of coronavirus cases in New Jersey has risen to 155,764, and 11,191 people have died. The number represented 703 new cases and 54 new deaths in the last 24 hours.

In Hoboken, 29 people have died from the virus, most recently a woman in her mid 60s announced last Tuesday. There have been 561 confirmed cases among residents.

On April 30, the death rate reached a peak in New Jersey, as 460 New Jerseyans lost their lives to the virus in 24 hours, or one person every three minutes. The number of new deaths then began to gradually decline. But Gov. Murphy has said any reopenings have to be done slowly and predicated on data, to avoid a new spike.

Murphy said Tuesday that he will give guidance about outdoor school graduations on Wednesday, and said they may be permitted with restrictions starting July 6.

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