Manchester Coronavirus Updates: Officer Welcomed Home

MANCHESTER, NJ — Folks who have been waiting for hair cuts and manicures are finally able to get them on Monday, after more than three months of closures due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The opening of those businesses and other activities, including the resumption of non-contact sports activities, are some of the highlights this week as Gov. Phil Murphy continues to relax the restrictions that have been in place in efforts to slow the spread of the virus.

So far, there have been 169,124 cases of the coronavirus in New Jersey, and 12,870 have died as a result of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, according to the state Department of Health. In Ocean County, there have been 9,395 cases, including 788 in Manchester. There have been 850 deaths in the county, including 128 in Manchester. Township officials have said the majority of the deaths have been in long-term care facilities.

The pace of the growth in cases and the pace in the number of deaths has slowed significantly, which has resulted in the relaxation of restrictions.

Here's what's happening in Manchester:

MUNICIPAL OFFICES: Town Hall remains closed to the public, and residents are urged to conduct business online or by phone.

Last week, Manchester Sgt. Antonio Ellis was welcomed home to the township after spending more than three months in the hospital — including nearly a month on a ventilator — battling the coronavirus. Read more: See Manchester Officer's Homecoming After Beating Coronavirus

SCHOOLS: Manchester Township High School and Manchester Township Middle School will hold virtual graduations. The high school graduation is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday and the middle school is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS: Manchester has offered permits for outdoor dining, which started last week across the state. It has been processing them as they have come in.

RECREATION: The township announced its summer concert series and also announced registration is open for some of its summer programs. Day camp will not be offered this summer.

OTHER BUSINESSES: Patch has a directory of local businesses with information provided by them on their status: What's Open, Closed In Manchester During Coronavirus Shutdowns

Did you list your business in the Patch directory of open and closed businesses? You can update your business listing by sending an email to helplocalbiz@patch.com. Please include your business name, town and state.

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Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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