Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco Imposes “Blue Laws” 24/7 in Bergen County

All Bergen Malls Closed ,Curfew In effect at 8pm , Parks and Golf Courses Open  , Roadwork Stopped ,Gyms closed

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackenasack NJ, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco has issued the following new executive order  basically imposing what is known as “Blue Laws” 24/7  in Bergen County  making everyday a Sunday .

Tedesco’s Executive Order from Monday March 16th:

1) All of the restrictions contained in prior Executive Orders issued in an effort to combat the COVID-19 virus are hereby incorporated herein by reference and shall continue in full force and effect except as specifically modified by the provisions of the within Executive Order.
2) No worldly employment or business shall be performed or practiced by any person or entity within the County of Bergen until further notice except as expressly permitted herein.
3) This Order shall not be construed to prohibit the following activities:
a. preparation and sale of drugs, meals, prepared food;
b. take-out sale of alcoholic beverages, newspapers, pet food and sanitary pet products, gasoline and food products subject to the conditions and limitations contained herein.
c. Auto repair shops will be permitted to remain open only if attached to and part of a gasoline station;
d. Health care facilities shall remain open with the exception of dental care facilities which shall close except as may be deemed necessary by a licensed dentist to treat emergency conditions;
e. Law firms, other entities or individuals specifically licensed to provide professional legal services, are hereby exempted from this Executive Order to the degree necessary to participate in Superior Court trials or other ancillary court proceedings or emergent matters or transactions;
f. Banks or banking institutions;
g. Funeral Parlors.
All exempted activities are required to otherwise comply with any and all provisions of any existing Executive Orders, laws or other regulations and CDC guidelines, including but not limited to those concerning social distancing.
4) All malls, shopping centers, offices, construction and business activity of any type or nature, except as modified herein, shall be closed until further notice.
5) Restaurants within malls or shopping centers may remain open only for the sale of take-out orders or delivery.
6) Stores selling alcoholic beverages for outside consumption may remain open but shall comply with previously announced limitations and guidelines applicable to restaurants and CDC “social distancing” and other applicable guidelines.
7) All health clubs, gyms, dance class facilities, yoga class facilities and all other similar recreational facilities shall be closed until further notice.
8) I ask any health care professionals including, but not limited to, physicians, physicians’ assistants, nurses, dentists and other professionals to volunteer to provide health care services to combat the COVID-19 health care emergency.
9) Bergen County shall cease issuing road opening permits except in cases of emergency.
10) All utility roadwork is hereby suspended until further notice, unless necessary for emergency purposes or required to maintain the provision of the utility service.
11) I recommend that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities develop a plan to address the health and safety of all utility workers. No utility meter readings that require entry into any building shall take place until further notice. Operation centers for public utilities are permitted to remain open.
12) No roadway solicitations seeking charitable contributions whether previously authorized by the County or otherwise shall take place until further notice.
13) Food establishments or retail establishments that primarily sell food, either fresh or preserved, including but not limited to grocery stores and supermarkets and similar establishments, and the portion of establishments that engage in this activity shall be permitted to remain open between the hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Food establishments shall be restricted to the sale of food and health care products, and shall prohibit the purchase of any other items. Larger food establishments and supermarkets shall limit the number of patrons within a store to fifty (50) at any one time. Smaller store that are not capable of servicing fifty (50) patrons shall impose an appropriate customer limit to comply with CDC social distancing guidelines. Individual municipalities shall be responsible for the enforcement of the limitations contained in the within paragraph.
14) Parks shall remain open for passive recreation, however, no organized or directed activity shall be permitted. Any other park activities that bring groups of more than four individuals (other than family members) shall be prohibited, such as playgrounds, dog runs, rides, stables (except for the care and maintenance of horses at the stables) or games.
15) Golf courses may remain open for golfers who walk the courses only. All other facilities within private or public golf courses such as clubhouses, restaurants, health facilities, lesson facilities, etc. shall be closed. No public outings shall be permitted until further notice.
16) No groups of more than four people, other than family members, shall assemble in public at any time within the County until further notice. A curfew is also imposed within the County between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. for all public outdoor activities.
17) Questions with respect to the provisions of the within Executive Order may be presented by email to the County at EOquestions@co.bergen.nj.us, or by calling the County during normal business hours at (201)785-8500