For
Immediate Release:
June 11, 2020
Freeholders
provide updates on COVID-19 situation; urge Governor to take action on opening
businesses and special education
FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County officials held
a press conference today to provide updates on COVID-19 in Monmouth County and
County operations.
Freeholder Director Thomas A.
Arnone talked about welcoming all Monmouth County employees back to the office
on June 15, but explained that public access will continue to be restricted
until further notice.
“We are looking forward to having
all of our County employees back in the office and can assure our employees
that safety precautions have been placed in every department to ensure social
distancing,” said Freeholder Director Arnone. “Public access to County
buildings is still restricted because we feel it is important to get all of our
employees back first and settled before reopening our doors to the public.”
Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley provided an
update on the activities of the Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Communities Through
Services) group.
“We have 75,327 individuals in Monmouth County who have
filed for unemployment since March 21st,” said Freeholder Deputy
Director Kiley, liaison to the County’s Department of Human Services, “Through
the Financial Hub, we are focusing on assisting them with job training,
resources, child care and financial coaching to help our residents get back to
work and financial health as soon as possible.”
Deputy Director Kiley also spoke about the impending grants
from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the amount of $1.5
million from the Community Development Block Grant and $2.5 million from the
Emergency Service Grant to be awarded to Monmouth County via the Office of
Community Development.
“We
are currently waiting for direction from HUD about how these awarded grant
funds can be distributed and who is eligible to receive this assistance in
Monmouth County,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Kiley, liaison to the
County’s Department of Human Services. “As of right now, we know that these
grants are designated to assist vulnerable populations who have been impacted
by the pandemic.”
Freeholder Director Arnone noted that a number of
locations will reopen in New Jersey on June 15, including the reopening of
daycares, non-essential retail with limited occupancy and restaurants and bars
for outdoor dining only.
“While I am glad that restaurants will be permitted
to open for outdoor dining next week, we cannot ignore the fact that this isn’t
enough,” said Freeholder Director Arnone. “There are numerous restaurants that
will not have an option to provide outdoor dining or can only provide it for a
few tables. How are these restaurants going to be able to stay in business?
“I understand the challenges that members of our
small business community are facing. Since the beginning of the declared State
of Emergency by the Governor, I have been holding regular meetings with our
Mayors and Chambers of Commerce to work with them on a reopening plan. We presented this plan to the Governor in the
hopes that he would allow for a quicker reopening to give our businesses a
chance to survive.
“Opening restaurants for outdoor dining is a—very
small—step in the right direction, but there will be days when it is raining or
too hot to eat outdoors. We are already seeing thousands of restaurants
throughout the State close, which is completely unacceptable. As I have said
countless times, small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Big Box retail
does not drive the economy, small business does! They support our economy and
we all need to do our part to support them.
“Restaurants need to be allowed to open their doors
back to their patrons and allow at least 50% capacity if we want them to survive.
“The Governor has said many times that he commends
New Jersey residents for doing the right thing and taking the right
precautions, so let these restaurant owners do just that.
“Provide them with the guidance and then let them
open their doors. Governor, give our small businesses a chance before it’s too
late!”
Freeholder Director Arnone went on to implore the
State to release guidelines for reopening schools to allow for in-person
special education.
“For nearly three months, these children have been
without these programs that are essential to their well-being. These extended
school year programs are instrumental in helping these children maintain
structure and routine in their lives. We need an answer from the State now on
when these programs can resume so that the schools can plan and know the guidelines
they will need to follow,” said Freeholder Director Arnone. “As a board member
for the Monmouth Ocean Foundation for Children alongside Sheriff Shaun Golden
and many others, I understand that this is extremely important for our special
needs community and their families. The set back is detrimental to the progress
they have made.”
For more Monmouth County news updates and information
regarding the COVID-19 situation, go to www.visitmonmouth.com.
# # #