Eatontown Declares Coronavirus Emergency, Closes Parks

EATONTOWN, NJ — The Borough of Eatontown declared a local emergency to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Officials closed all Eatontown recreational facilities, including parks and playgrounds, except the F. Bliss Price Arboretum and Wampum Memorial Park.

"We're basically doing the proclamation of the governor — the state of the emergency there," Mayor Anthony Talerico, Jr. told Patch. "What we're doing also is we've added the parks except Wampum and the Arboretum. That's the only thing different we're doing."

The Borough canceled or postponed all events until further notice. Meetings of the mayor and council will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Many public buildings have also been closed, including the Senior Center and Eatontown Library.

On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that all movie theaters, performing arts centers, gyms and casinos in New Jersey must immediately close in an attempt to "flatten the curve of new cases" and avoid overwhelming health care systems. It's not clear when these businesses will be allowed to reopen. READ MORE: Restaurants, Theaters In NJ To Shut Due To Coronavirus

The order also requires all "non-essential" retail, recreational and entertainment-based businesses to cease daily operations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Restaurants can only offer delivery and/or takeout, both during daytime hours and after 8 p.m.

"Essential" businesses which are necessary for the public's health, safety, and welfare — such as grocery stores, pharmacies, medical offices and gas stations — can remain open past 8 p.m.

Governor Phil Murphy reported 162 new cases Wednesday, raising the total to 427 in New Jersey, including five deaths. Read more: NJ Coronavirus: Cases Soar By 162, Death Toll Rises To 5

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