While there are no reported cases of the coronavirus in the City of Newark, Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Health Department and Wellness Director Dr. Mark Wade are urging residents with questions about the virus to call the State of New Jersey’s hotline at 1 (800) 222-1222.

The hotline is home of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, and is staffed 24 hours a day by state health workers. The state website is https://www.njpies.org/.

In response to several flights from China being routed to Newark’s Liberty International Airport, Gov. Phil Murphy created a Coronavirus Task Force to coordinate all local efforts to appropriately prepare for and respond to the virus.

“We are working closely with the Department of Homeland Security, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Transportation, and the State concerning the new coronavirus,” said Mayor Baraka. “There will be a screening process at the airport as the flights land and follow-up measures as needed. Please rest assured that precautions are being taken to limit any exposure and my job to inform our community is important to me.”

Mayor Baraka and Dr. Wade have set up protocols consistent with national standards set by the Center of Disease control to deal with any cases of the virus in the city, should they occur.

“There is no cause for alarm,” the Mayor said. “The City and our medical community is well-prepared, in the off-chance we have residents that are affected.”

- NEWARK -