Maplewood May Reopen Pool, Camp In July; Requires Masks In Parks

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood Mayor Frank McGehee said in an update late on Thursday night that he was issuing a Declaration of Local Emergency, and requiring that people wear masks in Maplewood's parks as of 8 a.m. Friday. However, he also announced a long list of reopening plans, saying that the town will run a limited summer camp for kids, and possibly open its pool in July.

The town also expanded outdoor dining and passed 14 other measures to support small businesses.

The town also will open tennis courts at 6 a.m. on Saturday.

McGehee also announced that the July 4 fireworks are canceled for this year.

Here is the emergency declaration and some of the updates from McGehee's Thursday message:

CORONAVIRUS STATISTICS

• McGehee wrote, "It saddens me to share that our community has lost another member. She was 59."
• A total of 24 Maplewood residents have now passed away from coronavirus. Out of 279 total cases and 4 "probable cases," 181 people have recovered.

POOL AND SUMMER CAMP

• McGehee said, "We are working to have a truncated pool season starting in early July but our summer swim team and diving team will be cancelled. If we are allowed to open, all pools will be accessible and we will leverage a phased capacity approach coupled with a daily time slot program. Sign ups will occur primarily online with an offline component available if needed."
• Regarding camp, he said, "We will have a limited season and smaller version (a maximum of 50 children per week) of kids camp, art camp and tennis camp with a lot of outside activities. Campers will be broken into small groups of 10, no field trips and no pool time. We have created a robust communication program for parents/guardian and a lot of training for our staff."

SMALL BUSINESSES

On Tuesday, the Township Committee passed 15 resolutions to support small businesses. They include:

• Expanded Outdoor Dining (outdoor cafe) for food establishments
• Sidewalk sales and services for retail establishments
• Establish 15 minute curbside parking zones
• Signage to indicate that a business is open
• Street Closures to accommodate more pedestrian space for dining & retail
• Parklets - taking parking spaces immediately in front of retail establishments for dining.
• ABC (Alcohol) rules related to BYOB and patio dining
• See more here.

LIBRARY

The library is exploring a phased approach to reopen.

To read more about these and other measures passed by the town, click here.

The State of Local Emergency Declaration follows:

<blockquote>WHEREAS, The Governor’s Executive Order 143, states that all employees and visitors are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings when present on the public and private beaches, lakes, and lakeshores in any settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health or where the individual is under two years of age; and
WHEREAS, While the state has only strongly encouraged face coverings in public spaces, counties and municipalities may require face coverings; and
WHEREAS, The Governor’s Executive Order 147 states that employees, visitors, members, and other individuals should wear face coverings in any setting at outdoor recreational businesses or activities permitted to reopen where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health, or where the individual is under two years of age; and
WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. The virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity— including speaking —even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms; and
WHEREAS, In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain especially in areas of significant community-based transmission; and
WHEREAS, for the safety of others, it is advised that individuals should carry a face mask or face covering with them at all times, when they go out in public.
NOW THEREFORE, pursuit to the powers in Chapter 251 of the Laws of 1942 as amended and supplemented, N.J.S.A. App. A-930 etc. Seq.: N.J.S.A. 40-48-1(6) and ordinances enacted pursuit thereto; N.J.S.A. 2C:33-1 etc. Seq.; -- whichever law or laws apply, and by ordinances adopted by the Maplewood Township Committee:
1. Effective 8 a.m. on Friday, May 22nd until further notice, individuals within the Township of Maplewood's parks are required to have face coverings and practice social distancing and use face coverings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
See the Maplewood COVID-19 website https://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/covid19
For COVID-19 questions, please call 2-1-1 or our Public Health Division at (973) 762-8120.</blockquote>

STATEWIDE STATISTICS

As of Wednesday, 10,767 New Jersey residents have died from coronavirus, and 150,399 have tested positive for the virus. That update included 168 new deaths in 24 hours and 1,670 new positive tests.
The death rate had reached a peak on April 30, the day that 460 New Jerseyans lost their lives to the virus in 24 hours, or one person every three minutes. The daily increase in fatalities has begun to gradually decline, but state officials have said their reopening has to occur in phases to avoid a new spike in infections.
This week, Murphy began announcing future plans to reopen businesses, facilities, and day cares in phases.

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