Hillsborough Township is notifying residents of 2 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the Township to 6. 

The Hillsborough Township Health Department continues to monitor all cases and is working with the State to identify any potential contacts for follow-up. A representative from the Hillsborough Township Health Department will reach out to all individuals determined to have been in close contact with the positive testing persons within 24-48 hours of each case being confirmed.

A positive COVID-19 case was reportedly in Planet Fitness on March 15. Although this is likely a low-risk exposure, anyone in Planet Fitness on that day should monitor their symptoms until March 30. Please call the Health Department at 908-369-5652 should you develop symptoms and please contact your physician ahead of visiting.  

Supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are low due to the current public health crisis. As a result, Somerset County's Office of Emergency Management is asking 'nonessential' businesses to donate their PPE supplies for the benefit of RWJ University Hospital-Somerset and local first responders.

The types of PPE being requested include:

Only unexpired items will be accepted.

A drop off location will be set up at the Somerset County Public Works Garage, located at 410 Roycefield Rd., Hillsborough 08844. Drop offs will be accepted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., starting Monday, March 23. Donations will be accepted through Friday, March 28.

All employees and volunteers working at the drop-off location will be practicing social distancing and maintaining a space of six feet or more. Donors are asked to observe the same precautions.

For more information, contact the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management at EmergencyMgmt@co.somerset.nj.us

“Stay at home” order: All residents are to stay at home or at their place of residence unless they are leaving for the following reasons:

Individuals who have to travel must practice social distancing when possible and should use public transportation only if they have no other feasible choice.

Cancelling gatherings: Gatherings of individuals, such as parties, celebrations, or other social events, are cancelled, unless otherwise authorized by the Order (i.e. the activities mentioned above). Through a separate Administrative Order, the Colonel of NJSP will make clear that gatherings of fewer than 10 people are presumed to comply with the Order, unless clear evidence indicates otherwise. Colonel Callahan will have the ability to adjust that number and that rule according to circumstances and facts on the ground.

Closing non-essential retail businesses: All non-essential retail businesses, which were previously limited to between 5 am and 8 pm, must now close entirely (online delivery can continue). The list of essential retail businesses that can stay open is limited to the following (Colonel Callahan has authority to amend the list): 1) Grocery and food stores, including retailers like Walmart/Target that sell food; 2) Pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensaries; 3) Medical supply stores; 4) Gas stations; 5) Convenience stores; 6) Ancillary stores within healthcare facilities; 7) Hardware and home improvement stores; 8) Banks and other financial institutions; 9) Laundromats/dry-cleaning services; 10) Stores that principally sell supplies for children under five years old; 11) Pet stores; 12) Liquor stores; 13) Car dealerships, but only for auto maintenance and repair, and auto mechanics; 14) Printing and office supply shops; 15) Mail and delivery stores.

Mandatory telework/work-from-home: All businesses or non-profits in the State must accommodate their workforce, wherever practicable, for telework or work-from-home arrangements. If a business or non-profit has employees that must be on site, it shall reduce staff on site to the minimal number necessary to ensure critical operations can continue. Examples of employees who need to be present at their work site include: law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and other first responders, cashiers or store clerks, construction workers, utility workers, repair workers, warehouse workers, lab researchers, information technology maintenance workers, janitorial and custodial staff, and certain administrative staff. Recreational and entertainment businesses: All are closed. This is unchanged from what is currently in place but the order reiterates these prohibitions. Restaurants and other dining establishments: All can remain open, but must continue to be delivery and/or takeout only. This is also unchanged. Pre-K, K-12, and higher education: All continue to be closed to students. This is unchanged as well. Blanket exceptions: Nothing in the order shall be construed to affect the operations of (1) health care or medical service providers; (2) access to essential services for low-income residents, including but not limited to food banks; (3) the media; (4) law enforcement; and (5) the operations of the federal government or the movement of federal officials when operating in their official capacity. Timing: The order will go into effect at 9PM tonight to accommodate the end of the sabbath. It will stay in effect until the Governor revokes or modifies it.

We are all operating under unique circumstances attributable to the COVID-19 virus. The next meeting of the Township Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at 7:30 pm. We are working on providing residents with the opportunity to participate in this meeting remotely. Residents should access the Township website prior to the scheduled meeting to ascertain how they can participate remotely. A number of residents have expressed interest in commenting on Ordinance 2020-08 which amends Chapter 188 “Land Use and Development”, Article V “Districts and Standards”, Section 188-98 RA, RS, R, R1, R2, CR, AH, RCA, PD Residential Districts, by adding R8A Zone to apply to Block 182, Lots 9, 11.01 and 46.01 and Block 183, Lot 38.02. At the March 24, 2020 meeting, I intend to ask my fellow committee members to delay a final vote on the Ordinance and continue the public hearing to the April 28, 2020 Township Committee meeting to provide residents additional opportunity to comment on this Ordinance. Those residents may also participate and comment remotely at the March 24, 2020 meeting.