In an aggressive move to slow down the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), Mayor Ras J. Baraka today asked residents to shelter-in-place in a more strict way, during a press conference that also aired live on the City of Newark’s Facebook page. After mapping the confirmed Coronavirus cases, as well as those who have been quarantined and tested, it has been determined that there is a necessity to have people in three areas only leave home for emergencies or essential needs. They are as follows:
· Area 1: Bloomfield Avenue to Verona Avenue, and Lake Street to Route 21.
· Area 2: Springfield Avenue to West Market Street, and Martin Luther King Boulevard to South 12th Street.
· Area 3: Avon Avenue to Clinton Avenue, and Irvine Turner Boulevard to South 12th Street.
The Mayor said these areas were determined by mapping the Coronavirus cases in Newark through a collaborative effort between the City’s Health and Community Wellness Department, the Department of Public Safety, and the Office of Emergency Management.
Mayor Baraka also addressed the viral video that was posted last night on Instagram of a young man who was among a crowd of people resisting the quarantine and having somewhat of a block party.
The shelter-in-place order means residents in these three areas must stay indoors, unless they need to go out to get food, for medical reasons, to pick up prescriptions, or if they are an essential employee.
“I do not make these decisions lightly. Our top priority is the health and safety of the residents of Newark and although these measures may seem aggressive, they are in fact necessary, as we deal with an unprecedented public health crisis,” said Mayor Baraka. “We are adhering to Governor Murphy’s directives throughout the City of Newark, but in the specific areas we need to go further. These new restrictions will save lives. Now, more than ever, we as a community, must work together to protect each other, because our individual actions will have a direct impact on one another.”
The executive order will take effect today, March 21, 2020, at 8 p.m. and will stay in place until further notice. A reassessment will be conducted in three days.
