Cranford Canoeing Reopens On Rahway River

CRANFORD, NJ — A nightly coronavirus update from the town of Cranford on Friday noted that "Canoeing on the Rahway River, a popular outdoor activity for residents of Cranford and nearby towns, will be permitted beginning this weekend."

The Cranford Canoe Club on Springfield Avenue, a few blocks from downtown, has a new deck at its site, said the town.

However, social distancing (and regular safety) measures must be followed, including wearing both a life jacket and mask, the release noted.

For more information, call the Canoe Club at 908-709-7285.

The most recent coronavirus statistics for Cranford said that a total of 474 residents have tested positive for the virus. As of this past Friday, 93 had passed away, 80 of whom were in long-term care facilities.

Here are some previous Cranford coronavirus updates on testing, drive-in movies, how to get help, and more:

ENTERTAINMENT

• Drive-in movies: The Cranford Movie Theater was granted approval to use the Orange Avenue Pool parking lot on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights (Sunday rain days) as a drive-in movie venue. The outdoor movies will run through July 19, unless extended. READ MORE.
• Expanded outdoor dining: The Town Committee introduced an ordinance to permit restaurants and dining establishments to seek approval for temporary expanded outdoor dining areas to compensate for the reduction of tables due to social distancing. The Township took the action in anticipation of the state lifting the restrictions on outdoor dining. In addition, the ordinance established a Code Review Committee to expedite applications and ensure the seating areas meet safety standards. The ordinance will have a final hearing and possible passage on July 14.
• A portion of Alden Street will be closed to create a public plaza for outdoor dining. The street will be closed from North Union Avenue up to Municipal Parking Lot 11 (next to St. Michael's Church) every Thursday starting at 3 p.m. through Monday at 8 a.m. More details are coming.

LONG-TERM CARE

• New Jersey residents have become alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities, and have charged that the facilities are undercounting the numbers and not adequately protecting residents and staff. The state has faced questions for weeks from the press about how they will address the problems.
• There is now a state website with numbers for people at individual nursing homes.
• You can report immediate issues with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct that should be reported to the Attorney General, here.

TESTING

• Gov. Phil Murphy is encouraging all residents to get tested, even if they do not have symptoms. The Union County Test Site at Kean University is open and free for all County residents. Call to confirm hours and other details. You can book an appointment online here or call 908-214-7107 or 908-373-5105.
• The drive-through center is also open to first responders statewide. To find out more about testing in Union County, click here.

SCHOOLS

• Cranford schools have been closed since mid-March. Gov. Phil Murphy has said New Jersey schools will be closed for the rest of the year.
• Cranford schools will close five calendar days earlier than originally intended.
• On April 14, after Spring Break ended, Cranford schools instituted new distance learning procedures and grading policies. READ MORE.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

• Cranford Patch has published a simple Open-or-Closed Directory for local businesses during the coronavirus shutdown. Dozens of submissions have come in. See the directory here.
• The Cranford Chamber of Commerce recently released a video, thanking those who shop local.
• Here's what you need to know about applying for unemployment and other benefits during coronavirus. MORE.
• Read more about coronavirus-related benefits, regulations, and programs for New Jersey small businesses and individuals here.
• Cranford property taxes were due on June 1. The original due date of May 1 was extended.

GIVING AND GETTING HELP

• There are many Cranford resources for seniors, the needy, the hungry, and those who need help for an emergency. If you need help, contact town officials or browse resources via the town website.
• Mayor Patrick Giblin has posted information about where to get tested, about not feeling isolated during social isolation, about domestic violence, unemployment benefits, and more in each nightly newsletter. To read examples of his nightly newsletters, click here or click here and sign up on the town website.
• Here is a story about the local branch of the Front Line Appreciation Group.

STATE TRENDS

• In New Jersey, the number of cases has risen to 160,918, and 11,721 people have died. Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday that the totals included 509 new coronavirus cases and 27 more deaths in the last 24 hours.
• Murphy has said that reopenings will occur carefully, in stages, to try to avoid a new spike in coronavirus cases. At the height of the spread of the virus, the state reported 460 new deaths from the virus in 24 hours at the end of April, or a death every three minutes.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

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