Mayor Janice Mironov and Members of Council -- Denise Daniels, Anthony Katawick, Marc Lippman, David Russell, Johnnie Whittington and John Zoller -- Present

 
East Windsor Township
E-News Alert!
 

April 11, 2020

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE

MESSAGE FROM MAYOR JANICE MIRONOV

As many in our community engage in various reflective holiday celebrations, we find ourselves in a strange and different reality in living our lives and interacting with our families and loved ones. We find ourselves taking stock of things that really matter, dealing with uncertainty, anxiety and stress, and for many confronting difficult financial decisions and situations. At the same time, people are identifying new and creative ways to meet up with family and friends, to keep restless young children constructively occupied, learning new cooking recipes, cleaning out cupboards and closets, and catching up on those books and television series for which time never allowed.

Our hearts go out to those who have been lost and our prayers to those who are ill. We are blessed to have dedicated selfless first responders protecting us -- our police, our rescue squad and fire company volunteers. We appreciate the generosity and caring of so many Township businesses and residents who have come forward with donations and to volunteer to help out others.

We need to remember that the most effective and most caring responsible thing we can continue to do for ourselves, our loved ones and our entire community is to continue to do what we are doing -- our new learned term social distancing and following the stated guidelines and directives of health care professionals and state and local officials.

We will get through this, we will reach a much better sunnier place, albeit likely somewhat restructured based on our current experiences. Keep strong and be hopeful, knowing that together we will move through these painful and challenging times.

Mercer County has reported, as of April 11, 2020, there have been a total of 1,434 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases to date, and 49 deaths in Mercer County. All active cases are either at home self-isolating or admitted to the hospital. Contact tracing is underway on new cases and as needed. The State of New Jersey today reported 3,593 additional Confirmed COVID-19 Cases for a current total of 58,151 cases, and 251 additional deaths for a total of 2,183 COVID-19 related deaths statewide. For all further information and data related to COVID-19 cases, go to the State's official web page at www.covid19.nj.gov.

Please remember to practice social distancing, follow the advice and directives of health care professionals and government officials, and use good sense, so we can all get through this difficult period together.

If you are concerned about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one during the current crisis, NJMentalHealthCares is available 7 days a week from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. at (866) 202-HELP (4357).

EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP REMINDERS AND UPDATES

1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Temporary changes to Township Garbage Collection and Related Services will become effective Monday, April 13 and continue through May 9, 2020. For full details (CLICK HERE)

2. East Windsor is offering Free surgical masks to Township Senior Citizens Ages 60+. The provision of surgical masks for senior citizen residents is in response to the recent CDC recommendation that all persons outside their residence cover their face with a mask or cloth covering, especially if going to places where there are other people, including pharmacies, grocery and department stores, and ride-shares.

  • Surgical Masks are available (one per-person) FREE to East Windsor Township Seniors ages 60+, while supplies are available.
  • You can pick-up a free mask at the Senior Center, Monday through Friday, between 1 P.M. to 3 P.M.
  • To obtain a surgical mask, senior residents can drive up to the front door of the Senior Center where staff will be present.
  • Stay in the vehicle, and the mask will be placed into the vehicle and no human contact will occur.

PLEASE REMEMBER: Masks are effective only when used in combination with practicing social distancing and frequent hand-cleaning with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

If you have questions, email the East Windsor Senior Center at seniorcenter@east-windsor.nj.us or call (609) 371-7192.

3. (While New Jersey has closed all state and county parks) East Windsor Township Parks, Pathways and Trails continue to remain OPEN subject to RESTRICTIONS. The Township continues to monitor for compliance and the need for further local actions if warranted. Park visitors are reminded to comply with all social distancing requirements.

PERMITTED ACTIVITIES: The only permitted activities in Township parks, pathways and trails are walking, running, bicycling or engaging in outdoor activities with immediate family, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.

REQUIRED RESTRICTIONS: Playground equipment areas within the parks are CLOSED and have been fenced off to prohibit their use. Group close-contact activities, including games of basketball and soccer, which do not comply with state social distancing requirements, ARE PROHIBITED.

Residents are asked to call the police department non-emergency line at (609) 448-5678 ext. 0 to report any observed non-compliance issues.

OTHER COUNTY REMINDERS AND UPDATES

1. Mercer County Drive-Up Testing Site for COVID-19, developed in collaboration with health care partners, remains open weekdays from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. Testing is BY APPOINTMENT ONLY and only for symptomatic Mercer County residents age 18 or older who have a prescription from their primary health care provider (PCP). If you are symptomatic for COVID-19 and want to be referred for testing, contact your primary care physician. Your doctor must fax your prescription to (609) 630-4031, to schedule appointment. Those who show up and who do not have an appointment will not be able to be tested.

2. Central Jersey Urgent Care is operating a Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Site, available without a prescription to residents of Mercer County, located in the rear parking lot at the Robbinsville Municipal Building at 2298 Route 33. You do not need a prescription to get tested, but you must be symptomatic, or have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive patient, and must register online at www.clockwisemd.com/hospitals/2059/visits/new. This drive-thru testing site will be open from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. on Monday, April 13, Wednesday April 15 and Friday, April 17.

Testing is limited to one person per-household. The cost for self-pay individuals without insurance will be $99 paid via credit card (no cash will be accepted) at the time of service at the site. Those with insurance also will be required to provide a valid credit card, but only after insurance is applied will any remaining patient responsibility be charged to the card. Contact your healthcare insurer for coverage verification, and be prepared to upload your photo ID and insurance card (if available) during registration. Notification of both positive and negative results will be made by phone in 2-3 days.

STATE OF NEW JERSEY UPDATES

Governor Murphy issued Executive Order No. 123 (CLICK HERE) on April 9, 2020 extending grace periods during which certain insurance companies, including health insurers, life insurers, and property and casualty insurers, will not be able to cancel policies for nonpayment of premiums. The Executive Order provides:

  • Extends minimum grace periods: A minimum 60-day grace period will be required for health and dental insurance policies, and a minimum 90-day grace period will be required for life insurance, insurance premium-financing arrangements, and property and casualty insurance, which includes auto, homeowners, and renters insurance. Insurance companies will be required to notify policyholders of this emergency grace period and to waive certain late fees, interest, or other charges associated with delays in premium payments as directed by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance. Insurers will also be required to provide each policyholder with an easily readable written description of the terms of the extended grace period. The extended grace periods will not apply to employer-funded health plans, which under federal law, are regulated exclusively by the federal government.

  • Requires insurance companies to pay claims during the grace period: Insurance companies will be required to pay any claim incurred during the emergency grace period that would be covered under the policy. The Order further prohibits insurance companies from seeking recoupment of any claims paid during the emergency grace period based on non-payment of premiums.

  • Ensures that unpaid premiums are made payable over a lengthy period: To ensure that policyholders are not required to make a lump sum payment on unpaid premiums at the end of the grace period, any unpaid premium will be amortized over the remainder of the policy term or a period of up to 12 months, as appropriate and as directed by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance.

For general questions and concerns about COVID-19:

PRIOR UPDATES

For prior updates and resources visit the EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP COVID-19 information webpage:
www.east-windsor.nj.us/COVID

Residents are advised to check the Township website at www.east-windsor.nj.us, read E-News Alerts, tune into Community Access TV Comcast Channel 27 and Verizon Channel 38, or call the municipal information hotline at (609) 443-4000, ext. 400, for schedule updates.

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