A 10-day lockdown in Newark is proving effective, according to Mayor Ras Baraka and city officials.
In November, city health officials reported that new COVID-19 cases in Newark hit 220 per day, which prompted Baraka to call for stricter measures. Newark’s infection rate was 19% while the state level was 7.7%.
Some of the measures included ordering all non-essential businesses to close at 8 p.m. every day, curfews in certain zip codes, ceasing all sports, limiting all gatherings to 10 people and restricting religious service attendance to 25%. The measures were in effect from Nov. 25 through Dec. 4.
Baraka said that 53 businesses were shut down during the lockdown for violating the governor’s executive order.
Last week, on the final day of the restrictions, Baraka said the measures slowed down the spread of COVID-19 in Newark.
“I want to thank the great majority of Newark residents and businesses that cooperated with our lockdown that began the day before Thanksgiving and ended today,” Baraka said. “Our collective efforts have resulted in early data that shows our positivity rate has dropped and we anticipate further declines when we have data from the full shutdown period.”
Baraka also released a new executive order and guidelines for the winter months and holiday seasons, urging residents not to gather indoors for large family parties and to take the usual precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, including social distancing, frequent handwashing and wearing masks.
“It is imperative that we continue to follow current COVID-19 protocols, as well as adhere to state executive orders and previous active municipal executive orders,” Baraka said. “We are going to get to the other side of this pandemic. A vaccine is coming. The quickest way to stop the spread and keep ourselves safe is to work together as a united city, and the closer we get to the finish line the harder we have to push.”
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the COVID-19 vaccine could be coming to New Jersey hospital soon, according to Gov. Phil Murphy. Six hospitals have been reportedly chosen to administer the vaccine, including University Hospital in Newark possibly.
“It’s very important to understand that the vaccine effort is a very delicate one, and the transport [and the] ultimate administration of these vaccines is a matter of public safety and really national security,” said Dr. Shereef Elnahal, president and CEO of University Hospital in one published report.
