Westfield Coronavirus Updates And Reopenings

WESTFIELD, NJ — In her coronavirus update on Tuesday night, Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle gave an update on various reopening plans in town — including for basketball courts and the library — as the number of new coronavirus cases declines.

The state of New Jersey has given reopening orders in stages to avoid a new spike of the deadly virus. Monday, Westfield restaurants were allowed to reopen outdoor dining, with new rules in place. But Mayor Brindle noted, "When you go downtown to patronize these establishments, I’d like to again urge everyone, out of respect to those around you and to those working hard to bring these businesses back, to please wear a face covering." The Centers for Disease Control recommends wearing a face covering to greatly reduce the transmission of coronavirus.

Regarding sports and the library, Brindle noted:

• "We anticipate opening the basketball courts in our schools and parks on July 6. In addition, the Recreation Department is finalizing information in the coming weeks about scheduling permissible field play for scrimmages and games."
• "The Westfield Memorial Library reports that their target date to begin accepting the return of books will be Thursday, June 18," Brindle noted, "with pick-up service anticipated to begin on Monday, June 22 with limited hours. Additional details can be found on their website."

Here are some other Westfield coronavirus updates:

STATISTICS

Brindle said Tuesday night that there have been no new cases reported in town since last Friday, keeping the total to 281. The death toll of Westfield residents from coronavirus remains at 42, with the last death announced on June 3.

As of Tuesday, a total of 12,727 New Jersey residents had died from the virus. In his press conference Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy said New Jersey had had an additional 470 coronavirus cases in the previous 24 hours, and 51 more deaths.

The rate is lower than Thursday, April 30, when the state reached an all-time high death rate. That day, Murphy had said that 460 New Jerseyans had been lost to the virus in 24 hours, or one person every three minutes.

SCHOOLS

• Westfield Public Schools are scheduled to open in fall on Sept. 9. The state is presently considering three options for fall school reopening in New Jersey: in-person schooling, virtual schooling, and a "blended option" involving both. The state is likely to offer more guidelines some time this week, one official said.
• Now that the governor is permitting large outdoor gatherings starting in July, the mayor and Westfield High School principal are discussing a graduation plan for July 7. READ MORE.
• Here are coronavirus updates from the Westfield School District.
• Day cares and camps can reopen, with restrictions, starting June. 15. READ MORE.
• Mayor Brindle said, "After extensive discussion and evaluation, the Recreation Commission has decided to suspend Playground Camp and Teen Scene this summer. Unfortunately, State guidance does not allow us to use the schools as camp facilities due to COVID-19 related restrictions ... As an alternative, we will be offering Virtual Camp in a Box, which will consist of themed boxes to include all materials for each project, along with daily videos from some of the camper's favorite counselors. Additionally, we are looking at different avenues to host small workshops and outdoor clinics to try to help meet the needs of our community. "
• Should special needs schools open back up? A local mom says yes. READ MORE.

POOL

• Registration is available online.
• The town anticipates an opening date of June 27, with coronavirus restrictions in place. Watch the website and social media handles, @WestfieldRecreation and @WestfieldMemorialPool, for more information. (As well as Westfield Patch!)
• Last week, Gov. Phil Murphy said pools can open this summer, at 50 percent capacity, and with other restrictions.

CAMP

• Day cares and camps can reopen, with restrictions, starting June. 15. READ MORE.
• Mayor Brindle said, "After extensive discussion and evaluation, the Recreation Commission has decided to suspend Playground Camp and Teen Scene this summer. Unfortunately, State guidance does not allow us to use the schools as camp facilities due to COVID-19 related restrictions ... As an alternative, we will be offering Virtual Camp in a Box, which will consist of themed boxes to include all materials for each project, along with daily videos from some of the camper's favorite counselors. Additionally, we are looking at different avenues to host small workshops and outdoor clinics to try to help meet the needs of our community. "

TESTING

• The schedule for the Union County drive-through testing center has changed again. For more information, click here.

LOCAL BUSINESS/JOBS

• Hair salons and other businesses can reopen June 22. State rules can be found here.
• Regarding parking, Mayor Brindle said, "As part of our reopening plan, please be advised that free 15-minute street parking on bagged meters will start [Wednesday] to facilitate curbside pick up at the request of our local businesses. These spots are not meant for long-term parking and will be ticketed when misused. Employees of downtown businesses should park in designated employee lots. Free public parking will be extended in the municipal lots through July 5, with enforcement and paid parking beginning on Monday, July 6."
• The Downtown Westfield Corporation released its comprehensive reopening plan a week ago.
• The town will cordon off Quimby Street on weekends for outdoor dining, music, exercise, and more. READ MORE
• Patch has started an ongoing directory of businesses that are open and closed. Check it out or add your business easily by clicking here.

• Gov. Murphy has said restaurants can provide outdoor dining service starting Monday, with restrictions. READ MORE.
• Murphy said businesses such as salons and gyms can reopen on June 22, with restrictions to be announced. READ MORE.
• Read more about unemployment, small business, and other coronavirus regulations and benefits in New Jersey here.
• Turtleback Zoo has job opportunities in guest relations, paddle boats, Treetop Adventure, parking and maintenance, must be 18 years of age. Please visit the link for a list of available jobs and how to apply: https://buff.ly/2QWodaV

LONG-TERM CARE/NURSING HOMES

• New Jersey residents have become alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities, and have charged that the facilities are undercounting the numbers and not adequately protecting residents and staff. The state has faced questions for weeks from the press about how they will address the problems.
• There is now a state website with numbers for people at individual nursing homes.
• You can report immediate issues with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct that should be reported to the Attorney General, here.

GIVING AND GETTING HELP

• To find out about help for the needy and seniors, or get food or food bank information, contact your town via the town website.
• There's an urgent need to donate blood. To give blood on June 15, click here.
• To read about Feed the Front Lines, click here.

Here are additional statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

Got news? Email caren.lissner@patch.com. Don't miss Westfield and statewide news alerts when they are announced. Sign up for free Patch breaking news alerts and daily newsletters.