New Jersey will increase the mandatory uses of gloves and social distancing for NJ Transit. The executive order limits NJ Transit trains and buses to 50% capacity as well as requiring employees and riders to wear face coverings. Additionally, Gov. Phil Murphy said the county-by-county map showing the rate of cases doubling by more than seven days continued to expand. North-JerseyNews.com
Gov. Phil Murphy urged caution in attempts to return the economy to its normal churn by May in order to prevent worsening the outbreak of COVID-19. The governor said getting the sequencing right based on the data and facts “is incredibly essential.” The Daily Record
Doctors at Holy Name Medical Center injected stem cells into a critically ill coronavirus patient, believed to be the first time the procedure was performed in the U.S. to combat COVID-19. The cells, drawn from a human placenta, are aimed at aiding the patient’s immune response and potentially heal tissue damage to the lungs. NJ.com
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is now open to all municipal employees who work in any of Bergen County’s 70 municipalities. Proof of employment within the municipality will be required and is open to all county employees regardless of residency. All governmental employees must be symptomatic to be tested. NJ Insider
Jersey City established a coronavirus relief fund with a goal of raising $3 million for the city’s most vulnerable residents and small businesses. The Jersey City COVID-19 Community Relief Program’s purpose is to minimize hardships for needy families and seniors by improving access to food and other necessities as well as helping small businesses and nonprofits recover from the economic blow of a statewide shutdown. The Jersey Journal
Demand for food at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey has risen about 40% because of the pandemic, bringing the total number of people served to around 900,000. As demand surges, the Community Food Bank is faced with donations down 55%; higher prices for the foods they choose to buy; a diminished capacity to take volunteers because of social-distancing regulations in their warehouses; and an inability to host fundraising events. NJ Spotlight
Landlords receiving mortgage relief should be passing relief along to their tenants, stated Gov. Phil Murphy. Tenants who are “getting screwed by their landlord” should report them to the state Division of Community Affairs, the governor said. NJ.com
ShopRite supermarkets began taking temperatures of staff and vendors. Wakefern Food Corp. will use non-contact forehead infrared thermometers at all its stores and warehouses, with anyone having an elevated temperature sent home. The Daily Record
The Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved its $117.4 million 2020 budget with changes brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The alterations moved money to increase salary lines within the Office of Emergency Management and the Office of Public Health Nursing to pay for overtime because of the health emergency. New Jersey Herald
And finally…The governor and the first lady released a bunny costume video for the Easter holiday. NJ.com
