At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Phil Mur🅺phy issued stay-at-home and social distancing directives to all New Jersey residents to combat the spread of COVID-19. The order prohibits gatherings of 10 or more individuals in public or private spaces.
This includes social events and other celebrations, including, parents take note, birthday pa🌳rties and play dates for kids.
Despite these restrictions put into place by state and local officials, residents have been disobeying the stay-at-home order. Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner has condemned residents for continuing to schedule such events despite the 🃏ongoing pandemic.
“You should not be having any social gatherings of any kind,” Turner said. “This disease is serious, and everyone should be self-isolating as much as possible♕. Any social gathering will spr🍬ead the disease.”
Despite the mayor’s warn🐬ing, the township has received s💖everal reports of birthday parties and neighborhood gatherings.
“These events must s✅top now!” Turner said. ꧑“They are against the Governor’s Executive Order, which we are required by law to enforce.”
Township warns of fines
As the issue persists, Turner has threatened to start issuing summonses for violations. Turner said theဣ fines are substantial, as high as $1,000. The host may be legally liablꦉe for holding the event against the governor’s order.
“Birthday parties or similar types of activities can ﷽be held virtually,” Turner said. “Please protect your children, their friends, and yourselves by not having any events of these types.”
Play dates have also been an issue in the township. Some Weehawken residents are disobeying the stay-at-home and social distancing directives an♉d putting their children at risk.
“Parents, we are getting reports that🐎 many of you understandably are setting up play dates with other children either in people’s homes or in public spaces,” Turner said. “This should stop immediately. You may be p𒀰utting your children and families in danger.”
Turner acknowledged reports that children may be the least affected by this disease,🐷 but noted that some children and their parents may be infected even though they may not have symptoms.
“As the weather gets nicer, the temptation will be greater, and we must al༺l be vigilant in preventing this from happening,” Turner s💫aid. “We must all practice social distancing.”
Sidewalks still open
While pla🎐y dates are pro❀hibited, and the stay-at-home order in place, residents can still go outside and are still allowed on public walkways and sidewalks.
Passive areas such as sidewalks and walkways are not closed under the State of⛄ Emergency. Even after the curfew begins in Weehawken at 10 p.m., it is not illegal to be on the stree💞t.
Turner said that the police will tell people on the public🥃 walkways after the curfew that they should goℱ home.
There are some exceptions. If residents are walking 🍌dogs, they can be out for a limited time. Outside of curfew hours, the township refers to federal guidelines prohibiting the gathering of 10 or more people.
According to Turner, these limitations are subject to change at any hour during the crisis, and residents will be alerte❀d by the township if any changes occur.
Residents are advꦍised to continue social distancin🐭g at all times, remaining approximately six feet apart.
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