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Trenton – Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senators Paul Sarlo, M. Teresa Ruiz, Steve Oroho, Declan O’Scanlon and Troy Singleton issued the following joint statement today offering Governor Murphy’s Economic Commission a plan to continue the public safety measures needed to counter the COVID-19 crisis and to offer some strategic steps to guide the reopening of New Jersey’s economy.
For more than a week, the bipartisan group of Senators have been consulting with the business community regarding strategies for reopening. The Senators stress the need for advance planning so it will bolster the state’s economic recovery, restore jobs and businesses, and rebuild the fiscal stability of state and local government while protecting the public’s health and safety.
“We implore the Governor’s commission to move swiftly with advancing a plan to support economic recovery for New Jersey. The Senate has been engaged in conversations with business owners and organizations who are experiencing this crisis and we have been communicating their needs with the Governor’s office and our legislative colleagues.
“Collectively, we need to make sure the communities that have struggled the most during this crisis have their issues carefully considered and addressed.
“We look forward to continuing this productive working dialogue with the Governor’s economic workgroup.
“With the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation projecting that New Jersey may be able start opening up on May 27, we do not have much time. We are fortunate that social distancing and stay at home orders have resulted in positive results. The Governor mentioned today, as he has for several days, that our trends continue to move in a positive direction.
“As we are developing plans for a full scale re-opening, we should consider how low-risk businesses and industries can safely reopen now, such as:
· Construction;
· Car sales;
· Outdoor recreation like parks, golf courses;
· Beach activities where social distancing can be sustained; and,
· Elective Surgeries and other needed medical needs.
“These are consistent with New York and Pennsylvania where these activities are allowed:
· Passive Recreation in the parks of Pennsylvania;
· Passive Recreation in the parks of New York;
· Golf in Pennsylvania as of May 1;
· Golf in New York for individuals only;
· Elective surgeries in New York; and,
· Elective surgeries in Pennsylvania.”