Mayor Ras J. Baraka wants to remind stores and businesses that remain open to follow the Coronavirus (COVID-19) safety guidelines of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the executive orders of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and the City of Newark.

Small pharmacies, convenience stores, bodegas and liquor stores should not allow more than five (5) customers in the store at a time and encourage customers to maintain proper social distancing. The CDC’s most recent social distancing recommendation asks people to leave six feet between themselves.

The Mayor asks larger groceries stores, pharmacies and other essential businesses to control their customer intake, so customers can have adequate space to shop and maintain recommended social distancing. Store employees should remind customers to maintain social distancing while shopping and checking out. City officials have noticed some larger stores operating as “business as usual” which will not help us inhibit the spread of Coronavirus, and may, in fact, exacerbate it.

Store owners must insist that employees who do not feel well stay home. Those who are working should wash their hands frequently and vigorously, and owners should create crews to continuously sanitize surfaces touched by customers and employees. If an employee tests positive for Coronavirus, sanitize the store thoroughly and do not let the employee return to work until cleared by a medical professional.

Essential businesses are the lifeline of our community during this health emergency. Yet abuses of guidelines can also make them centers of infection. Please be mindful in carrying out the responsibility of helping keep your customers and our community safe.