Coronavirus News and Announcements

The most recent notices, closings, and cancellations due to the Coronavirus can be found on this page. They are posted by category, by date, with the most recent on top. This page is updated frequently, so check in often for the latest information. For older notices, please refer to the Coronavirus Notices Archive page.

For the most complete and up to date info on COVID-19 go to the State of NJ COVID-19 Information Hub at covid19.nj.gov

For Sussex County updates visit https://sussex.nj.us/covid19

Sussex County Health Department Notices and Updates

Please note that totals change often. Refer to the SC Coronasvirus page for the lastest information.

Sussex County Thursday Update

October 22
The Sussex County Health Department announced 14 additional cases since yesterday among Sussex County residents. Thursday's CDRSS report has no additional cases in Wantage, keeping our total number of cases to 83. The County's updated numbers now stand at 1769 confirmed cases, 1438 cases recovered, 197 deaths, and 134 cases under investigation. Read Thursday's press release. Read Thursday's report. See the Coronavirus Notices Archive page for earlier reports.

NJEDA Phase 3 Pre-Registration Portal

October 19, 2020
Pre-Registration portal opens on Monday, October 19, 2020, at 9:00 a.m.

See Phase 3 Information FAQs on nj.gov

Mandatory Pre-Registration and Application Periods

Interested business owners will need to pre-register to receive an application.
To prepare for the pre-registration process, please review the Sample of the Pre-Registration Process.
Pre-registration will begin on Monday, October 19th at 9am and will close on Tuesday, October 27th. Click here for information
The application will be available via a phased approach following the end of the pre-registration period.
Applicants must complete the full application to be considered for grant funding.
Please use the NJEDA Phase 3 Grant Eligibility Estimator and NJEDA Phase 3 Grant Size Estimator to understand your businesses' eligibility.

To streamline the application process, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority is requiring all applicants to pre-register online. Applications will become available on a rolling basis following the pre-registration period. Pre-registered applicants will need to return to complete an application based on the following schedule:

Restaurants – 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2020
Micro businesses – 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 30, 2020
All other businesses, excluding restaurants and micro businesses – 9:00 am on Monday, November 2, 2020

Applications for each category will be open for a period of one week will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Phase 3 Program Overview and Eligibility

Any business or nonprofit located in New Jersey, including home-based businesses, with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) is eligible to receive grant funding during Phase 3.
Businesses that received funding in previous phases of the program are eligible to receive Phase 3 funding.

Grant awards will be calculated based on the number of FTEs businesses employ.

Micro-businesses with five or fewer FTEs and sole proprietorships will receive $5,000
Businesses with six to 25 FTEs will receive $10,000
Businesses with 26 to 50 FTEs will receive $15,000.

For businesses that are classified as “Food Services and Drinking Places” ONLY:

Businesses in this classification with five or fewer employees will receive $10,00
Businesses with six to 25 FTEs will receive $15,000
Businesses with 26 to 50 FTEs will receive $20,000

For more information see:
NJEDA Phase 3 Grant Information
Press Release: NJEDA Announces $70 Million Phase 3 COVID-19 Grant Program

NJ Department of Health Issues Halloween 2020 Celebration Guidance

October 5
Traditional Halloween celebrations often involve crowds, close contact between individuals, and activities in closed spaces.It is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives for celebrating the fall season. Outdoor activities, as opposed to indoor parties and events, are recommended. Those planning celebrations or participating in Halloween activities should keep in mind public health recommendations of social and physical distancing, wearing masks that cover the nose and mouth, and hand hygiene. Costume masks are not an acceptable substitute for cloth or disposable masks. Individuals should minimize interaction and contact with others who are not a part of their household... Read the complete guidance PDF.

County Announcements

Library Update

July 29
The library is now open BY APPOINYMENT ONLY. Please call the library and scheduled an appointment. Curbside book pickups are available to pick up the books you placed on hold. You will be notified to schedule your pickup time when your books are ready. The online catalogue is open so patrons may place holds on books. Continue using the book drops for library returns. Please allow a few days for sanitization before returns are removed from your account. More information can be found on the library's website. For questions, call 973-948-3660 or email sussexref@sussexcountylibrary.org

Business Reopening Status Interactive Map

June 8
The County of Sussex created a mapping application to help residents connect with local businesses as we recover from the COVID-19 Pandemic. This information is provided as a public service announcement in order to help assist our local residents and businesses. On this interactive map viewers can see a list of businesses and the open status of the businesses. The map is free to use and business owners may submit their business to be included free of charge. This is a great tool for shopping in Sussex County. Access the map at:
http://sussex.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=d557632ad1494539a7bae50ac0585f83.
Click here to read the press release.

SC DOH PSA

April 15 - The Sussex County Department of Health has released a Public Service Announcement, Do Your Part to Help Slow the Spread of Illness. Click here to view the PSA on YouTube. For more videos, the County's YouTube Channel is https://youtube.com/sussexnj

Disaster Response Crisis Counselors Are Available

April 2
The Sussex County Division of Health (SCDOH) announced that certified Disaster Response Crisis Counselors (DRCCs) are available to speak to Sussex County residents who may be experiencing emotional or mental difficulties related to COVID-19. DRCCs are trained to provide disaster mental health services, including psychological first aid and crisis counseling. DRCCs are certified through the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services Disaster and Terrorism Branch, along with the Mental Health Association of New Jersey and the Certification Board of New Jersey, Inc. Click here for Crisis Councelor information.

Sussex COVID-19 Hotline

March 24
The Sussex County Division of Health COVID-19 Hotline is now open. Residents may call the Hotline number at 973-579-9488 to speak with a Sussex County Division of Health (SCDOH) staff member or Sussex County Medical Reserve Corp volunteer. The Hotline’s hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Additional information for residents can be found at the locations listed below.

Sussex County website https://sussex.nj.us/covid19
2-1-1 (NJ Department of Health)
1-800-962-1253
Text NJCOVID to 898-211 (NJ Department of Health)

Township Announcements

Wantage Parks Are Open

Wantage Township will continue to allow Woodbourne Park to stay open as long as social distance rules are followed. Please remind your family that if groups of people are seen together at the park, we will have to close Woodbourne. Maintain six feet apart from all walkers — for your safety and theirs. Playground areas are open. All organized sports and group activities are not to be held until further notice. While we encourage our residents to get outside and exercise, please remember when at the parks to be safe. Best practice requires maintaining at least a six-foot distance between yourself and others.

Helpful Websites

NJ Senate - Office of Senator Steven Oroho
https://www.senatenj.com/index.php/email/email-oroho/breaking-news-update-on-covid-19-4-1-2020-5/47239

NJ Office of Homeland Security
https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/covid19

Misc Information

COVID-19 FAQs

What's closed? What are the signs and symptoms? Who should be tested? Click to download the NJ Dept. of Health's COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions.

Emergency Home Food Delivery

Those in need of emergency home food delivery should contact NORWESCAP Pathways 2 Prosperity at 973-862-6680 (note that the caller will need to leave a message; calls are being returned off site) The service is being extended to those who do not have the capacity to leave their homes in order to purchase food themselves. Food is being delivered on Tuesday every week, and will only be dropped off curbside. Food will not be brought into the home under any circumstance at this time. A complete list of food pantries and current human service provider offerings can be found on the County website and are updated daily.

NJ 211 Handling Covid-19 Questions

March 19 3:15 p.m.
Starting March 19, NJ 211 has been activated to assist with handling COVID-19 calls from NJ residents. Residents can also text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive text information and to stay informed. To receive live text assistance, residents can text their zip code to 898-211.

If the public has questions, they should contact the call center: 1-800-962-1253. Call center is open 24/7 and has multi-language capacity. The call center is not able to diagnose individuals, provide testing appointments or results, or give specific medical recommendations. Callers who need medical advice should contact their healthcare provider. Mild symptoms include fever, some aches and pains, dry cough. Persons with mild symptoms are recommended to stay home, rest, and recover. In general, testing is not needed in those with mild symptoms.