Green Brook Schools To Close Early To Prepare For Coronavirus

GREEN BROOK, NJ — Green Brook Township Schools will close early on Thursday to prepare for any potential future impact of the novel coronavirus.

"While there are no suspected cases of Coronavirus in our schools, like many school districts in NJ, we are proactively preparing to continue delivery of instruction if the need should arise to close school," the district announced Tuesday.

Faculty will be planning to continue instruction through distance learning in the event the school is closed due to COVID-19.

On Thursday, Green Brook Middle School students will be dismissed at 12:51 p.m. and Irene E. Feldkirchner Elementary School students will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. Lunches will not be served. Aftercare will operate on its normal schedule until 6 p.m.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Along with the in-service day, cleaning protocols in the building have been increased.

Green Brook Public Schools also offer these public health tips:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

On Monday, Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency, effective immediately, to ramp up New Jersey's efforts to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. (See Related: NJ Gov. Murphy Declares State Of Emergency Because Of Coronavirus)

Murphy declared the emergency soon after officials announced that the number of new coronavirus cases in New Jersey nearly doubled since Sunday. Five additional cases were identified on Monday; the state's overall number is now 11.

Among the five new cases was a 48-year-old from Berkeley Heights whose symptoms developed on March 1. The person was hospitalized at Overlook Medical Center in Summit. He had symptomatic friends from Italy, but they all tested negative.

• See Related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.