Governor Murphy signed new Executive Orders to further NJ's aggressive efforts to enforce social distancing. All non-essential construction across New Jersey will CEASE, indefinitely, effective 8:00 p.m. Friday. Exceptions include projects at our hospitals and schools, in our transportation and public utility sector, the building of affordable housing, other individual housing sites that can adhere to strict limits on the number of workers on-site, and other limited instances.

We’re also aiming to mitigate overcrowding at essential retail stores – particularly in our grocery stores. Under this Executive Order, all essential retail must indefinitely limit the number of customers allowed in their stores to NO MORE than 50% of their approved capacity. Additionally, customers & employees must wear face coverings. Stores must also provide special shopping hours for high-risk individuals, erect physical barriers between customers and cashiers and baggers where practicable, regularly sanitize areas used by their employees, & more. And, moving the date of our primary elections from Tuesday, June 2nd to Tuesday, July 7th.

As you may know, the CDC and federal guidelines may begin to require us to wear face masks anytime we go outside. Check out this quick video update from Dr. Gary Sapienza, from Leading Smiles in Merchantville, as he reviews ways to control the spread of Covid-19 infections, protection in the absence of testing and some of the common face mask options and alternatives that are available to you. He urges all of us to wear a mask to protect your neighbors first and yourself second. Stay healthy!

Effective 8:00 p.m. this evening Mayor Brennan closed Merchantville's public parks and spaces consistent with Governor Murphy's Executive Order 118, which was issued today and is part of the continuing effort of the Borough to help flatten the curve and took additional Covid-19 actions. The mayor recognizes that the closure of all parks, particularly the multi-use path will upset many, but we stand united with the State and Camden County in trying to do everything we can to get through this difficult time, encourage appropriate social distancing and urge residents to stay home. The next few weeks will be difficult and we are seeing a significant increase in cases and deaths in the County in the last few days. We must remain vigilant.

As of today, Camden County will have delivered more than 25,000 meals to seniors in need during the Covid-19 pandemic. Freeholder Jonathan Young thanked the dedicated public servants at the Division of Senior Services, Public Works, Parks, Building and Ops, and other county employees who are making these deliveries and coordinating the logistics of such a herculean effort." He continued, “Like critical workers across the county, many of these men and women continue to leave their home each day in the service of others. It is thanks to them and their efforts that the people of Camden County have a safety net they can rely on, and we are incredibly thankful for their hard work and commitment to service." If you or a senior you know needs meal assistance, please call (856) 374-MEAL or (856) 858-3220 to make arrangements.

Two new technologies being deployed in New Jersey as part of the fight against the coronavirus could boost those testing numbers enormously if they can perform. One comes out of a Rutgers University research center that uses a laboratory technique to make millions of copies of the COVID-19 nucleic acid. It can perform 10,000 tests a day using high-throughput, automated equipment. But instead of using nasal and throat swabs to obtain viral material, the analysis can be performed on saliva samples obtained by spitting into a tube — a far easier way to collect samples without relying on health care workers. Saliva testing would be a new development and would allow testing without the need of a medical provider to take the sample. RUCDR has also submitted an emergency use authorization request for a saliva collection method that will allow for broader population screening. Another is a test developed by Abbott Laboratories that its makers say can detect the COVID-19 virus in as little as five minutes.

Mayor Brennan recorded a video message for the community from home last evening. He thanked residents and small businesses for their personal efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus by "flattening the curve" through through social distancing and staying at home. He's been very encouraged to see the level of small business support. Mayor Brennan also announce a new initiative in town to pool resources to provide help to those in need. This initiative, intended to address the personal welfare of residents during and after this pandemic, involves a cooperative effort between the municipality, the school and Merchantville's faith-based leaders. If you have needs or know of anyone with needs that are not being met please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Emails will be monitored by the Borough and acted on by this cooperative.