Created: 01 December 2020
Today’s News for New Jersey Business:
Indoor sports ban applies to games and practices for youth, school and adult recreation. Some businesses resist Newark’s 10-day lockdown. The stats are in: Travel was down on Thanksgiving 2020.
N.J.’s Indoor Sports Ban Applies to Games and Practices for Youth, School and Adult Recreation – All indoor organized sports at the youth, high school, and adult recreation levels – both games and practices – will be suspended for four weeks to battle the pandemic, Gov. Murphy announced Monday. It takes effect Saturday and lasts until Jan. 2. College and professional sports are not included. (nj.com)
The Fine Print – Here are the new rules on indoor sports and outdoor gatherings. Outdoor gatherings are now limited to 25 people, with exceptions for wedding ceremonies, funerals, memorial services and religious and political events. Athletes, coaches, referees and other individuals that are necessary for a professional or collegiate sports competition are not counted towards the 25-person limit.
Gov. Murphy said the New Restrictions are Designed to Combat Growing Case Loads in Hospitals – When announcing the new restrictions on indoor sports and outdoor gatherings, Gov. Murphy said his focus was on hospital capacity as the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to escalate. A growing case load is already stressing some acute-care facilities. (NJ Spotlight News)
Holiday Parades and Santa’s Lap Photos are Discouraged – Menorah lighting events should be held outside and social distanced, and carolers should wear masks while singing, according to the state Health Department’s latest COVID-19 guidelines. (nj.com)
The Fine Print – Here are the state Health Department’s full guidelines for the holiday season.
Some Businesses Resist Newark’s 10-Day COVID-19 Lockdown – Newark is halfway through its 10-day lockdown and many business owners said there is confusion over whether the lockdown is mandatory. The good news: The city’s state-leading COVID-19 positivity rate dropped over the past week from 21% to 16.5%. (NJ Spotlight News)
Gov. Murphy: ‘Don’t Listen to Rumors About a Second State Shutdown’ – He said that New Jersey has more options than it did in the spring, and that he hopes to use any number of them rather than shutting down the state again. (ROI-NJ)
Travel Was Down on Thanksgiving 2020. Here’s Exactly How Far Down – The total traffic volume on the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike from Wednesday through Sunday was 6.3 million vehicles, more than 2 million fewer than the same days in 2019, a New Jersey Turnpike Authority spokesman said. On the rails, Amtrak said it saw a 20% decline in ridership. Nationally, the TSA said it screened 1.2 million travelers at airport security checkpoints on Sunday, as most people who traveled returned home, compared to 2.9 million on the same day in 2019. (nj.com)
Tell the State What You Think – How has your business been impacted by COVID-19? What do you need for a safe and productive recovery? Fill out this online survey to share your story and help guide the state’s recovery plan. (State of New Jersey)
Looking at Employee Health Insurance for 2021? – N.J. Chamber of Commerce member companies can enroll in the Members Health Plan that gives you – and your employees – the power of a big employer when it comes to health insurance service and stability of rates. Find out how you can save.
N.J. Coronavirus Cases – New Jersey Residents
(Source: N.J. Health Department)
Total Confirmed Deaths Reported: 15,164
Total Positive COVID-19 Cases Reported: 337,304
For data on hospitalizations and discharges, click here.
Resources
New Jersey small businesses can buy PPE at a 10% discount through this state program.
The N.J. Economic Development Authority is offering assistance programs for New Jersey businesses. Information and applications can be found here.
For the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s guidance on applying for new business grants and acquiring reduced-price PPE, click here.
For the U.S. Chamber’s return-to-work playbook for employers, click here.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s report on reopening and preparing workplaces for COVID-19.
The CDC’s recommendations for employers to prevent the spread of the coronavirus when they reopen their offices.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Survival Guide has a complete listing of coronavirus resources for small businesses.
The state’s jobs and hiring portal matches employers and candidates.
For employers to participate, click here.
New Jersey’s website for information on all of the state’s business resources during the pandemic.
New Jersey’s website for up-to-date information about COVID-19.
Have Questions about the Status of an Unemployment Claim? – You can send a message to the state Labor Department through its website – www.myunemployment.nj.gov. Then follow these instructions:
To report a scammer or suspected price gouging, alert the N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs at (973) 504-6240 or at http://njconsumeraffairs.gov.
The state set up a 24-hour hotline where health care professionals are answering questions about coronavirus. The toll-free number is 1-800-222-1222. From outside the state, call 1-800-962-1253.
You are welcome to share the information in this newsletter with your members via email, your website or on social media. If you do, please credit the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce with a link to www.njchamber.com.
