Out of the abundance of caution and to help curtail the possibility of community spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Borough of Bergenfield will be implementing the following procedures effective the Close of Business on Friday, March 13.

MUNICIPAL OFFICES & FACILITIES

Municipal Offices-   Physical public access to all municipal offices (including Borough Hall, and the Public Works Office) will be suspended through at least Sunday, March 29.

1. The public lobby of the Municipal Building will be open to the public weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for access to the Tax Collector’s drop box. No loitering shall occur in or around this lobby.
2. All offices are open and Municipal Staff will be available during this time to answer questions and concerns from the public via telephone and email, however no in-office visitation will be permitted for the duration without a scheduled appointment.
3. All residents and property owners are encouraged to utilize our online payment options for taxes.
4. The Bergenfield Municipal Court session scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 and Wednesday march 25^th have been cancelled and all cases will be rescheduled. For more information, please call (201) 387-4055, ext. 2.
5. Emergent matters of the Police Records window (such as alarm permits, dumpster applications and request for discovery) will be handled at the Police Department Dispatch window. Residents are advised to call the Police Record Room (201) 387- 4000 in advance by phone and a mutual schedule time for pick up will be provided to you.

Building Department & Fire Prevention Bureau - Permit application drop off and pick up will be available by appointment only. Please call (201) 387-4055 ext. 4 to arrange an appointment.

• Telephone screening for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to all appointments and inspections will be occurring.
• The Borough will be erring on the side of caution and the inspectors will be using discretion when entering dwellings and interacting with individuals. Only essential contractors, homeowners, or authorized representatives necessary for the completion of any inspection shall be on site during such inspection in an effort to limit unnecessary contact.
• All non-essential inspections by the Building Department and Fire Prevention Bureau are suspended through March 29.
• Residential Smoke, Carbon Monoxide, and Fire Extinguisher inspections for resale and rental of residential dwellings for Closings scheduled on or after April 2 will not be scheduled until April 10^th.
• Any Residential Smoke, Carbon Monoxide, and Fire Extinguisher inspections for resale and rental of residential dwellings for Closings scheduled before April 2 will occur, however; only one realtor, homeowner, or authorized representative shall be on site during such inspection in an effort to limit unnecessary contact.

Department of Public Works – Physical public access to the Public Works Office will be suspended through at least Sunday, March 29.

• All offices are open and Municipal Staff will be available during this time to answer questions and concerns from the public via telephone and email, however no in office visitation will be permitted for the duration without a scheduled appointment.
• Permit application drop off and pick up will be available by appointment only. Please call (201) 387-4055 ext. 3 to arrange an appointment.
• The recycling center will hours will remain in effect as scheduled.
• All other DPW operations such as trash and recycling will in remain in effect as well       

Recreation – All Recreation facilities are closed until March 29th.

• All organized sanctioned recreation activities such as basketball, baseball, softball, soccer is suspended through March 29.
• For appointments with Recreation, please call Recreation Director Ed Volmer at 201-387-4055 ext. 9

Bergenfield Public Library

• The Bergenfield Public Library will be closed tentatively until Monday, April, 6^th.
• You may still return items in our bookdrop located at the Library.
• There will be no fines on Bergenfield items during this time.

Senior Transport & Medical Transport  

All routes of the Senior Transport Van are suspended through at least Monday March 30^th.

Public Meetings

• All Boards (Planning & Zoning) and Committee meetings are cancelled through March 31^st.
• The Borough Mayor & Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 17^th, will be held as scheduled.
• Due to the spread of the Coronavirus and to protect our residents and employees, the Borough is requesting that attendance at the meeting be limited to those with an urgent need to attend. Accordingly, no large presentations or proclamations will be given until this situation is further clarified.

If your issue is urgent, please email Borough Administrator Corey Gallo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.  Understanding that the public’s right to communicate with its elected officials is important, the Borough Council will increase the time for public comment on Borough matters in a subsequent meeting when it’s safer for all. If you feel obligated to attend the upcoming Mayor & Council meeting, we ask that you exercise appropriate caution and follow the recommendations of medical professionals to avoid the spread of this virus.

Overnight Parking  

• Overnight Parking will be suspended through March 30^th . Please comply with all other parking statutes and ordinances, as they will remain in effect and will be strictly enforced. Any parking-related questions can be directed to the Bergenfield Police Department at (201) 387-4000.

All information provided is subject to change as this pandemic evolves. Residents are advised to monitor the Borough’s website and online social media for updates. While we realize that changing normal routines, cancelling events and not seeing friends can be disruptive and upsetting, we are taking CDC recommendations very seriously and urge you to do the same.

The Borough understands the public’s concerns about COVID-19 and the Health Department is working closely with the NJDOH and the CDC to monitor and respond to the situation.

The Health Department reminds the public to practice proper hygiene:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and remember to throw the tissue into the trash
• Avoid close contact with sick people
• Stay home if you are sick

The CDC has identified older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney disease are at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. According to the CDC, early data suggest older people are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness.

That is why the CDC recommends that people at higher risk follow the measures cited below:

• Stay at home as much as possible
• Stock up on supplies, food, and prescriptions.
• Take advantage of the many delivery options in our community.
• When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact, and wash your hands often.

Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.

• Avoid crowds as much as possible.
• Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
• We are committed to staying connected to our older residents during this health emergency and have taken the steps to make regular calls to our most vulnerable seniors at home. We will also stay in contact with regular updates via phone or email.

Symptoms to monitor include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you experience any symptoms, please contact your medical care provider.

We strongly urge all residents to take all necessary precautions to prevent the community spread of COVID-19. We cannot over emphasize the importance of limiting social contact while the Borough and the School District restrictions are in place. Taking the necessary precautions and remaining mindful of restricting person-to-person contact should be foremost in our day-to-day lives for the time being.

The Bergenfield Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has activated the Bergenfield Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the Borough’s monitoring and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bergenfield OEM is working 24/7 with the Mayor & Council, the Borough Administrator, Bergenfield Dept. of Health, Bergenfield Vol. Ambulance Corps, Bergenfield Police Dept., Bergenfield Fire Dept., and the Bergenfield Board of Education to keep our residents healthy.

The best way to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 is by social distancing and good hygiene including frequent hand washing. If you feel sick and need medical attention and are not experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call your doctor or the State of NJ COVID19 hotline (800-222-1222) for guidance before calling 911. Unnecessarily going to the emergency room or doctor’s office will increase your exposure risk and potentially overwhelm the hospitals.

From the CDC: If you are an older adult or have a severe chronic medical condition, take extra measures to put distance between yourself and other people to reduce your risk of being exposed:

• Stay home as much as possible
• Have enough household items and groceries on hand if you need to stay home
• Monitor your health and keep in touch with your doctor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTepK-NRe_E

Out of an abundance of caution and in an effort to protect the high-risk populations that we serve as well as minimize the potential exposure/transmission of COVID-19, the Borough of Bergenfield has requested that the public library close starting Friday March 13 with a tentative reopening date of Monday April 6. All scheduled community meetings, programs and events are cancelled during this time period.

If you have items on hold that have already arrived at the library, please pick them up today (Thursday March 12.) We will be open until 9:00 PM. Effective March 13, Bergenfield cardholders will not be able to place holds in the BCCLS catalog. Due dates for all Bergenfield materials have been updated to April 6.  You may still return items in our bookdrop, and there will be no fines on Bergenfield items during this time. 

The Bergenfield Senior Center located at  293 Murray Hill Terrace will be CLOSED  until further notice.

Please call the centers number @ 201-387-7212 for updates as to when the center will reopen.

Thank You,

Bergenfield Health Department

FACTS ON CORONAVIRUS – “COVID19”

The CDC has issued guidance for health care providers, State and Local Health Departments are working to make sure hospitals and clinics have what they need to limit the spread of the illness.

Travelers from high risk countries are screened at the airports and advised on the virus or the need for quarantine. Local Health Departments will assist with individual monitoring of residents who may have been exposed.  Currently no vaccine is available to prevent the coronavirus disease "COVID-19".  

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.  However, as a reminder the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help the spread of this respiratory diseases including: 

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

The following are recommendations from the CDC for using a facemask:

The CDC does not recommend healthy people wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including"COVID-19". 

Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of "COVID-19" to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

 
The use of face masks is also crucial for healthcare workers and people who are taking care of someone in a closed setting (at home or in a health care facility).

HAND-WASHING: one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick.  Washing your hands is easy, and it's one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs.  Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from person to person and throughout an entire community - from your home & workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals . 

You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key time when you are likely to get and spread germs:

• Before, during, and after preparing food

• Before eating food

• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea

• Before and after treating a cut or wound

• After using the toilet

• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet

• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste

• After handling pet food or pet treats

• After touching garbage

• Always wash hands when visibly dirty.

Follow these five steps every time you wash your hands.

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the faucet, and apply soap.

• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with soap.  Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails.

• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.  Need a timer ? Hum the " Happy Birthday"song from beginning to end. 

• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them. 

  If soap and water are not readily available use an alcohol based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

  These everyday habits can help prevent the spread of several viruses. 

  PREPAREDNESS WHEN A PANDEMIC STRIKES

  The US Department of Homeland Security recommends the following:

• Store a two-week supply of food and water.

• Have any non-prescription drugs and other health supplies on hand including: Pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, vitamins.
  
  In general for emergency preparedness, we encourage all households to have an emergency response kit which could be used during any public health or severe weather emergency.  

  For all the latest updates on the coronavirus please visit:
  
  New Jersey Department of Health website: www.nj.gov/health
  Center for Disease control: www.cdc.gov
  US Dept.Of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov