Jersey City is set to become the first city in the nation to
scan its residents for COVID-19 as it battles back from the virus that has
claimed the lives of nearly 500 of its residents and infected over 6,000.
Mayor Steven Fulop today unveiled state-of-the-art body
temperature scanners and mask recognition technology being installed at every
entrance of all Jersey City municipal buildings to help continue to slow the
spread of infections.
It is hoped the technology will also help facilitate the
swift and safe return of the city’s full workforce.
The body scanners are the latest effort by the city as it tackles the coronavirus. Last week, it introduced a Slow Streets program that temporarily closes designated streets throughout the city in order to give residents more recreational space for walking, jogging, biking, and more. It will also bring about more Pedestrian Plazas in other parts of Jersey City.
“We have been working
to bring outside-the-box solutions to address the various issues created by
this unprecedented crisis,” said Mayor Fulop. “We were the first to implement strict
and effective social distancing measures, and now as we work to carefully
reopen, these Slow Streets will act as a relief valve for safe outdoor
activities this summer as we see the streets and parks start to get crowded
again. This program will also support
further recovery efforts on the horizon.”
New Jersey has been pushing ahead with its phased reopening,
allowing malls to opens their doors yesterday (Monday) without movie theaters,
arcades, and food courts, however. All stores are limited to 50 percent
capacity.
New Jersey restaurants had been ready to begin limited,
indoor dining on Thursday, July 2. However, Governor Phil Murphy has nixed his
initial plans after seeing a surge in coronavirus cases in states that reopened
their indoor dining.
Governor Murphy has also signed a new executive order
allowing gyms and fitness centers to offer “individualized indoor instruction
by appointment only.” And the NJ Transit and the Light Rail will resume full
weekday service starting Monday, July 6.
Indoor gatherings are now limited to 25 percent capacity of
the rooms in which they will take place, with a maximum of 100 persons. Outdoor
gatherings are now limited to 250 persons. Outdoor religious services and
political activities have no limits.
Beauty salons, barber shops, spas, tanning salons, and
tattoo parlors also re-opened in New jersey on Monday with business owners required
to perform health screenings — such as temperature checks — on clients and
staff.
The Garden State’s long-term care facilities are also allowing
family members back to visit their loved ones in designated outdoor spaces.
