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Indoor Dining, Movies and Indoor Concerts are Back Starting This Friday

Governor Murphy took big steps toward the continued reopening of New Jersey, announcing yesterday that indoor dining can resume Friday and that movie theaters and indoor music venues can reopen on Friday.

Indoor Dining

Indoor dining can resume Friday at 6am Capacity indoors is capped at 25%. Tables must be 6 feet apart. Masks must be worn by staff at all times. Patrons must wear masks when away from tables. No mingling at the bar. No tables larger than 8 except immediate families. No buffets or salad bars. Also, restaurant must use fresh air, meaning that windows must be opened to ensure a proper flow of fresh air into the dining areas. Additionally, air conditioner units must be set so that they allow the maximum amount of outdoor air to flow through the dining area, and the least amount of recirculated air.

Could indoor dining in NJ be banned again? “Sadly, I have to say yes,” if COVID boomerangs. Governor Murphy said. He said officials would respond to “a sustained increase” in metrics like the rate of transmission, new positive cases and new hospitalizations.

Movie Theatres

Movie theaters can reopen Friday with attendance capped at the lesser of either 25% capacity or 150. Masks must be worn unless eating or drinking. Families and groups that purchase tickets together can sit together. Others must remain 6 feet apart.

Indoor Music Venues

Indoor music venues can reopen Friday with attendance capped at the lesser of either 25% capacity or 150. Patrons and staff must wear masks and social distance. Venues can serve food and drinks to seated customers. No standing-room or general admission shows allowed.

Get Pumped. New Jersey Gyms Reopen Today

Here are the rules: There is a 25% capacity limit. Equipment must be placed at least six feet apart. Customers will be required to wear masks. Gyms must take temperature checks and keep a log of everyone who visits, including contact information for tracers. Pools can open. As for showers? That’s a maybe. Your gym will have more details.

Interfaith Action Movement (I AM) Creating Decennial Census Awareness for 20,000 People

Aiming to reduce under-counts of communities of color and other hard to reach communities

Leaders from faith and community-based organizations, higher education institutions, law enforcement, state, and local government officials, and business leaders have come together to form New Jersey’s Interfaith Action Movement (I AM).

This diverse, action-oriented coalition is coordinating a state-wide strategy to peak awareness of the U.S. Census specifically focused on hard to count (HTC) populations within the state of New Jersey. The I AM efforts centerpiece is a series of Census Family Reunion Sundays slated for September 6, 13, 20 and 27, in advance of the new Census deadline of September 30, 2020.

I AM is led by Rev. Dr. Derrick Green, Senior Advisor for Diversity, Faith, Urban and Regional Growth for New Jersey Governor Phil D. Murphy.

Downloads

Food Distribution Event – July 23, 9am

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders & the Community FoodBank of New Jersey are providing this drive through only food distribution event to all Union County residents on July 23, 2020 at 9am.

  • First 2,000 vehicles will receive shelf-safe food and fresh produce on a first come, first served basis
  • One food distribution per vehicle, while supplies last
  • Please make sure to clear out the vehicle’s trunk prior to arrival to make room for food bags
  • Bring one (1) proof of NJ residency, such as a utility bill, driver’s license, ID card, etc.
  • Event will take place rain or shine

Click here to view and/or download the event flyer. With any questions, or for more information, please email the DHS Action Line or call them at 908 558 2288.

Do you or someone you know need help paying your energy bill?

Elizabethtown Gas can connect you to financial assistance programs.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities created the Universal Service Fund program to help low-income households pay
for electric and natural gas service. Eligible New Jersey customers pay no more than six percent of their income for their
natural gas and electric service. The USF program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

For more information, you can visit the NJ State website, call (866) 240 1347 or click here to download the information sheet.

City of Linden Summer Concert Series Begins Tuesday, July 7th

We are excited to announce that the City of Linden Summer Concert Series will begin on Tuesday, July 7th. For a complete concert schedule, click here. While we are looking forward to having the concerts, this summer will be very different than previous years due to COVID-19. There are several NJ Department of Health Guidelines and State Executive Orders that we are required to adhere to in order to have the concerts. Some of these restrictions and guidance include;

  1. Limited capacity per concert.
  2. Check in by 7:45pm or we reserve the right to cancel your reservation.
  3. Registration is required for EACH INDIVIDUAL ATTENDING and must be done by 4:00pm the day of the concert. LINDEN RESIDENTS ONLY. Registration can be done through Community Pass by clicking here, or by calling 908-474-8600. Bring Photo ID to check in.
  4. Face Coverings must be worn upon entering the Promenade, utilizing restrooms and in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained.
  5. Social Distancing throughout the Promenade will be required and encouraged throughout the park by our staff.
  6. NO DANCING ALLOWED.
  7. Restroom occupancy will be monitored throughout the concert by an attendant to encourage social distancing.
  8. Cleaning and disinfecting high touch areas will be maintained frequently throughout the concert.
  9. Patrons are encouraged to wash hands frequently and utilize hand sanitizer provided throughout the Promenade.
  10. Patrons who have symptoms of COVID-19 should NOT come to the concert.
  11. All other rules and regulations normally enforced at the Promenade still remain intact including No Alcohol permitted.
  12.  The City of Linden has developed the required COVID-19 Operation Prevention Plan that complies pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order.
  13. Patrons that do not comply with the Governor’s Executive Order pertaining to attending the concert will be removed from the Promenade.
  14. Due to the ongoing and changing nature of COVID-19, the City of Linden reserves the right to modify the concert schedule, regulations and amenities daily in regards to public health.
  15. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By coming to the concert, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
  16. IN CASE OF RAIN THE CONCERT WILL BE CANCELLED. Call 908-474-8604 after 4:00pm.  

Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 908-474-8600. We look forward to seeing you!!

Portugal’s National Day 2020

Today, the City of Linden proudly recognizes Portugal’s National Day, or as it is known by the nation’s locals: Dia de Camões, de Portugal e das Comunidades Portuguesas (“Day of Camões, Portugal, and the Portuguese Communities”). 

June 10th commemorates the emblematic Portuguese author Luís de Camões, writer of the national epic poem published in 1572, Os Lusíadas. Dedicated to the 16th-century King Sebastian, Os Lusíadas lionized Portugal’s era of world exploration through its description of the seafaring trade route found to provide passage to India by navigator Vasco da Gama. Camões’ writing made him into such an indelible symbol of national pride, even the Portuguese language itself is sometimes referred to by its nickname: “The Language of Camões.” 

Along with Camões poem, the pride of Portuguese exploration is also forever encapsulated in the country’s red and green flag. At the intersection of the two colors lies the Portuguese coat of arms sitting on the background of a spherical astrolabe, a tool utilized by early explorers such as Vasco da Gama to navigate their maritime journeys. 

Click here to see the gallery images taken today.

Virtual Mothers Day Celebration – 2020

Mother’s Day 2020 celebrations are different because of COVID. To show Mom how much she means to all of us on Mother’s Day Council President Michele Yamakaitis, my wife Danie and I invited our residents to participate in this year’s City of Linden Virtual Mother’s Day Celebration. Participants submitted a Mother’s Day Greeting to us for the City’s Virtual Mother’s Day Segment. On Mother’s Day, submitted videos will run on Linden TV, posted to social media and available to watch here. Happy Mother’s Day! – Mayor Derek Armstead

Heroes Come in All Shapes & Sizes

Linden Mayor honors 9 year old Gabriela for stepping up to help her town during the COVID-19 pandemic

Gabriela is a 9 year old student at School #2 who loves arts and crafts and helping others. One morning said to her mother, “Mommy, I want to help people that are not working and don’t have food. I want to find a way to help families in need that are going through hard times.” Little Gabriela came up with a plan to make bracelets to sell for $5 each. With the support of her mother, Gabriela used the money to buy food to help families affected by COVID-19 in her hometown of Linden, NJ. Gabriela will be helping the town with their COVID-19 Emergency Food Relief Program. Gabriela was so excited when Mayor Derek Armstead paid her a special visit.