Burlington County Announces Vaccine Updates; Code Blue Declared

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Even after parts of Burlington County saw more than 5 inches of snow on Sunday, another 3 to 7 inches was expected to strike the region later Monday. Given the circumstances, Burlington County officials are advising residents not to drive.

They also announced changes to the county's coronavirus vaccine schedule, and declared a Code Blue Weather Emergency from 7 p.m. Monday through 7 a.m. Friday.

New Jersey's coronavirus vaccine "mega-site" at the Moorestown Mall will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. All those with appointments scheduled for these days will receive an individualized message with a new appointment date and time for later this week.

Burlington County’s second dose vaccine clinic scheduled for Monday has also been postponed. Appointments are being rescheduled. Burlington County’s COVID-19 testing site at Rowan College at Burlington County in Mount Laurel will also be closed Tuesday to clear the parking lots and roads. Testing will resume on Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and an additional testing day is being added Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fewer than five power outages have been reported in Burlington County due to the storm. However, officials warned that heavy snow today could still cause damages to wires. Residents are encouraged to immediately report any outages to their utility.

Due to the storm, recycling collections scheduled for Monday in Bordentown City, Bordentown Township, Chesterfield, Fieldsboro, Florence and Mansfield will be moved to Tuesday, Feb. 2. Additional changes to the remaining towns will be announced. Residents with questions can call the Recycling Hotline at 609-267-6889.

A Code Blue declaration is made in Burlington County when frigid weather conditions pose a threat of serious harm or death to individuals without shelter.

During the declaration, the county provides for short-term sheltering in clean, safe locations. The declaration was made as a winter storm blanketed the state.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, people will also be sheltered in separate rooms to guard against the spread of coronavirus. Residents in need of shelter are encouraged to call 211 for assistance.

“Temperatures are dropping, so we’re encouraging all those in need of help to reach out,” Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson said. “Our Code Blue sheltering program is ready, and we don’t want anyone to have to spend the night outdoors or in unsafe conditions, especially with the coronavirus still active.”

The Burlington County Department of Public Works dispatched its full fleet of 52 highway trucks to salt and plow the more than 500 miles of county roads. Highway crews worked through last night and will continue to salt and plow today due to the expected second wave of precipitation.

“Our Public Works employees deserve our thanks for their work clearing our county highways,” Commissioner Tom Pullion, the Board’s liaison to the Burlington County Departments of Public Works, said. “While our crews have done a great job so far, a second wave of snow and ice is expected to move through the region today. We’re asking residents to stay home and off the roads today, if possible, to make it easier on our crews to clear the roads.”

The request echoed Gov. Phil Murphy's call for people to get off the roads because it’s “dangerous,” and he said roads should be clear, so crews can make sure essential vehicles get through.That would include the vehicles transporting the coronavirus vaccine.

“This is a big one,” Murphy said during his Monday news conference. “If you don’t need to be out, don’t go out.”

Murphy said the early afternoon will be the “teeth” of the storm and the state Department of Transportation has 3,900 pieces of equipment deployed to deal with the storm. Murphy also said the storm will likely last until Tuesday night.

See related: Winter Storm Causing Traffic Issues In South Jersey Monday

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through 10 a.m. Tuesday, as an additional 3 to 7 inches of snow and ice accumulation are expected over that time. Read more here: Here's How Much Snow Burlington County Saw On Sunday

The following is the forecast for the next several days, according to the National Weather Service:

Monday
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 33. Breezy, with a north wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Monday night
Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 30. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Tuesday
Snow likely, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 35. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tuesday night
A chance of snow showers before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 27. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Wednesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 35. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Wednesday night
Mostly clear, with a low around 23.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 39.

Thursday night
A chance of snow showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday
A chance of snow showers before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 8am and 9am, then a chance of rain showers after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.