Newark North Ward Councilman hosted a Zoom meeting on Friday June 5, 2020 to discuss Newark's requirement for businesses to apply for a reopening permit in order for the City to issue a color-coded safety-level certificate required to open again.

The Essex County Comprehensive Emergency Assistance System (CEAS) and Continuum of Care (CoC) Committee has compiled a list of food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens. 

Click here to download the list

Did you lose your job or have your hours reduced as a result of COVID-19? Businesses across New Jersey need thousands of workers for immediate hire. Click here to learn more about who is hiring in your community.

Employers in critical industries should submit information about openings with urgent hiring needs related to COVID19 at jobs.covid19.nj.gov/intake.

Due to overwhelming demand for this program, we are closing the application process. But we will have other programs available in the coming days to help those in our community who have been impacted by the public health crisis caused by COVID-19.

North Ward residents who have been financially impacted by the public health crisis caused by COVID-19 can apply for up to $100 in vouchers that can be used at local businesses in the North Ward.

Mt. Prospect Partnership and the Bloomfield Avenue/Lower Broadway Alliance have teamed up with North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr, Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz, Councilman-at-Large Luis Quintana, Wesley Towers and Forest Hill Community Association to create a $20,000 fund to help residents impacted by the virus. The fund is also being supported by private donors.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering New Jersey low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.

Any such Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will coordinate with the state’s or territory’s Governor to submit the request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance.

The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain non-profits and other employers. This guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA.

Read the the Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act.

El concejal Anibal Ramos Jr. discute las restricciones de COVID-19 en Newark.

Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. discusses COVID-19 restrictions in Newark.

What should you do if you tested positive for COVID-19, but you aren't sick enough to be hospitalized? What should you do if you've tested negative for COVID-19? The state Department of Health has put out excellent guidance. Please download and read.

What should I do if I tested positive for COVID-19?

What should I do If I tested negative for COVID-19?

Free Drive-thru testing is now available at Weequahic Park in Newark for Essex County residents who are symptomatic of the virus that causes COVID-19.

• The site will open on Thursday, March 26 and Saturday, March 28 when 100 tests per day will be administered.
• The site will also be open next week on Monday, March 30, Wednesday April 1, and Friday, April 3 when 150 tests per day will be administered each day.
• The testing site is for Essex County residents only
• Appointments are mandatory.
• Residents must arrive by car.
• Anyone wishing to be tested must meet specific testing criteria, which includes a fever of at least 99.6 degrees and respiratory symptoms of shortness of breath.
• Appointments will be scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Residents can visit www.EssexCOVID.org, where they will be required to complete a short online screening process before an appointment is scheduled. Upon completion of the survey, they will be informed if they are eligible for the screening.
• Residents without internet access can register by calling the Essex County Office of Emergency Management at 973-324-9950. The call-in center will be open form 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. An operator will help them complete the initial survey and issue the confirmation number.
• Essex County will continue to administer the virus screening as long as supplies of test kits, gowns, facial masks and gloves last.

Mayor Ras J. Baraka, U.S. Senator Cory Booker, along with other elected officials and partners, will share the efforts the city, state, federal government, and partner organizations have developed to assist Newark small businesses impacted by COVID-19 including grants and additional resources.

Guest speakers include:

• U.S. Congressman Donald M. Payne
• Alfred J. Titone, District Director, New Jersey District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration
• Bernel Hall, President & CEO, Invest Newark
• Allison Ladd, Deputy Mayor/Director, Department of Economic and Housing Development, City of Newark
• Catherine P. Wilson, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Newark
• Free Drive-Thru Testing Now Available at Weequahic Park

Register here.

COVID-19 Testing is available at the Mary Eliza Mahoney Federally Qualified Health Center at 110 William Street. However, the test will only be administered in the event that a patient exhibits virus-related symptoms and has been seen by a primary care physician. If you do not have a medical provider, then the FQHC is open for general medical care. This is not a walk-in clinic. You must call ahead to 800-734-7083 to make an appointment.

Also, in anticipation of a potential influx of traffic due to residents visiting the FQHC, the following streets are closed:

• William Street from Washington Street to University Avenue
• Halsey Street at William Street (with traffic to be diverted southbound on Halsey Street)
• No Parking will be permitted on William Street 

On Saturday, March 21, Gov. Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 107, directing all residents to stay at home until further notice. The order provides for certain exceptions, such as obtaining essential goods or services, seeking medical attention, visiting family or close friends, reporting to work, or engaging in outdoor activities.

Governor Murphy’s Executive Order further directs the closure of all non-essential retail businesses to the public, with the exceptions of:

Hardcopy packets of schoolwork will be available at the breakfast and lunch locations. A complete list of locations can be found at nps.k12.nj.us/.

Cable provider Altice is providing free wifi to students.

Newark is beginning a system to get food to our seniors and most needy within the next couple of days.

While all senior residential centers are closed to visitors, residents are encouraged to call and check on their senior family and friends. Management will check on them as well.

All public, private, and parochial schools remain closed indefinitely.

Immunization services will be reduced to Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 973-733-7580.

WIC will be open by appointment only on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – no walk-ins will be allowed. Call 973-733-7604.

The following supermarkets, in cooperation with the City of Newark, are offering senior-hours only.