Bhalla actualiza Hoboken sobre COVID-19, subvenciones para pequeños negocios y pruebas adicionales

Below is an update from Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla on COVID-19:

Small business grants available Monday, 9:00 am

We encourage all small business owners to apply for new small business grants of up to $10,000 for rental payments provided through the State of New Jersey and made available by Governor Phil Murphy. Thankfully, Hoboken is one of 64 cities selected in New Jersey where businesses can apply. The grants are available as of this Monday, August 10 at 9:00 am on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be provided as long as funds remain. If you are a small business and want to apply, please be sure to do so without delay on Monday morning.

Learn more with some helpful FAQs (also attached), and apply for the funding at www.njra.us.

Additionally, the deadline for small businesses for applying for Hoboken’s CARES Act funding we established with Hudson County is this upcoming Friday, August 14. Hoboken small businesses are eligible for up to $20,000 in a one-time payment to assist in retaining and paying employees. For more information on this grant and to apply (application period currently open), please visit www.hobokennj.gov/smallbusinessgrants.

Impact of COVID-19 in Hoboken

The Hoboken Health Department reported the following, new COVID-19 cases:

August 7: 5
August 8: 5
August 9: 3

Hoboken now has a known, confirmed total of 680 confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic. Fatalities remain unchanged at 29.

Two of the weekend’s cases were from those who got tested weeks ago but only recently learned of the results due to a delay in laboratory testing results. None of the residents testing positive are hospitalized, and none were from any known clusters or patterns within Hoboken. We have, however seen trends throughout the past several weeks of those testing positive after attending social gatherings. We continue to encourage residents to avoid any large gatherings especially indoors, social distance at all possible times, and wear a face mask (including children 2 years of age and up) – especially where social distancing can be difficult.

Testing with Prompt MD this Monday and Tuesday still available

As shared on Friday, we are opening up a pop-up COVID-19 testing site at the 7th and Jackson gymnasium (605 Jackson Street) this Monday and Tuesday between 9 and 4 pm, thanks to our partnership with Prompt MD. Testing times are still available – you can sign up for a required appointment at www.hobokennj.gov/promptmd. Prompt MD has indicated they will be able to provide test results within 2-3 days after the completed test. We will be providing more information this week on signing up for a test for the following Monday and Tuesday at this site as well, which will help us alleviate the high demand at the Riverside site under the Viaduct.

For more information, please visit: https://www.hobokennj.gov/news/mayor-bhalla-prompt-md-announce-additional-covid-19-testing-options

Grant program for small landlords and tenants.

On Friday, Governor Murphy announced a grant program for small property owners who have had decreases in revenue due to COVID-19. Property owners who receive this grant funding must provide it back to tenants by forgiving back rent and late fees due to COVID-19.

According to the Governor, qualified applicants must meet the following:

1. Propietarios con propiedades que tengan al menos 3 pero no más de 10 unidades de vivienda totales;
2. Propietarios de propiedades que no sean alquileres de temporada o vacaciones;
3. Las propiedades deben tener certificados de inspección de incendios vigentes a partir del 9 de marzo de 2020;
4. Propietarios de propiedades con al menos una unidad de alquiler no vacante afectada por COVID-19 entre abril y julio de 2020; y
5. Propietarios con propiedades con niveles de renta de ingresos bajos o moderados o con renta basada en hasta el 80% del ingreso medio de la superficie.

Applications will open August 19. For more information, visit www.njhousing.gov/rentals/sleg.

Reminder on filling out census

If you haven’t already done so, please take a few minutes today to fill out your household’s Census form at www.2020census.gov. You should be receiving a reminder in the mail soon from the Census Bureau with further information. Non-responding households can expect an in-person visit from a Census Bureau worker (who will be following all COVID-19 health and safety precautions) as early as August 11, so by filling out your form, you avoid a knock on the door and help Hoboken secure critical federal funding. It’s quick and easy, and in 10 minutes you can do your part to shape the next 10 years for Hoboken’s schools, healthcare, infrastructure, small businesses, and more.

Thank you,

Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor