Last week, Mayor Ravi Bhalla had a low-risk exposure to a contact who tested positive for COVID-19 later in the week. Out of an abundance of caution, Mayor Bhalla went into self-quarantine at home as soon as he learned of the positive test, and subsequently received a negative COVID-19 result from a test he took yesterday. Given the Mayor’s low-risk exposure, which included a brief verbal interaction with face masks, along with the negative test result, a self-quarantine is no longer necessary. Mayor Bhalla will continue to self-monitor for the full 14 days.
A full 14-day quarantine is necessary for anyone who returns from a high-risk state, or who had a high-risk exposure such as being in prolonged contact within 6 feet of and individual for longer than 10 minutes, or for example, were at a large indoor gathering without face masks. Had Mayor Bhalla had a high-risk exposure, he would have been advised to quarantine for a full 14 days, consistent with the recommendations provided to Hoboken residents.
The Mayor, his staff, and others who may have been in contact with the individual who tested positive have been appropriately following all health and safety guidelines as provided by the Hoboken Health Department.
