Avalon NJ update from the Mayor

BOROUGH OF AVALON
Cape May County, New Jersey
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
Martin L. Pagliughi, Mayor

MAYORAL DIRECTIVE
ISSUED AND EFFECTIVE MARCH 30, 2020

TO: ALL BOROUGH RESIDENTS and VISITORS.
ALL BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS IN THE BOROUGH
ALL OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES OF BUSINESSES OPERATING IN AVALON
ALL BOROUGH EMPLOYEES and
OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

As everyone knows, the COVID-19 Pandemic has hit New Jersey especially hard together with our sister States of New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware. As a result, and in order to protect our citizens and our first responders and others who are working to provide essential services to us, Governor Murphy has issued a series of Gubernatorial Executive Orders which have the force and effect of law. These Executive Orders (“EOs”) are currently in effect and will remain in effect until further notice.

EO 107 became effective on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 9 PM. That Order prohibited gatherings of individuals for such purposes as parties, celebrations, or other social events, including conferences, large meetings, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings and other types of assemblies. This Order also required that all non-essential retail businesses must close storefront and/or brick-and-mortar premises. It listed types of businesses that could remain open as “essential”. That Order further required all citizens to cease any unnecessary travel and to remain in their homes. This was for the purpose of curtailing the spread of COVID-19.

EO 108 was issued the same date to be effective on March 21, 2020 at 9 PM. EO 108 expressly provides, in part, as follows:

“[Governor Murphy] declared that, due to the State of Emergency, no municipality, county, or any agency or political subdivision of this State shall enact or enforce any order, rule, regulation, ordinance, or resolution which will or might in any way conflict with any of the provisions of my Executive Orders, or which will in any way interfere with or impede their achievement; . . .” (EO 108 pg. 2)

EO 108 further provides, in part, as follows:

“WHEREAS, certain municipalities may have legitimate concerns about an influx of new visitors, which may cause public health concerns as we impose social distancing measures and aim to avoid unnecessary increases in density of individuals; . . .” (EO 108 pg. 4)

Avalon is just such a community. Additional cases of the virus have been confirmed in Cape May County – including Avalon. This poses an imminent threat to the public health and safety and requires both immediate and drastic action.

AS MAYOR OF THE BOROUGH OF AVALON, I AM ISSUING THIS DIRECTIVE TO BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND I APPEAL TO ALL THOSE MENTIONED HEREIN:

1. Those seasonal residents of Avalon who maintain permanent residences elsewhere, are asked not to come to the Borough of Avalon during this pandemic and while the Governor’s EOs remain in effect. We value our seasonal residents and we welcome you to this wonderful community which belongs to all of us and we cherish the time you spend here. However, coming to Avalon at this time violates the travel restrictions imposed by our Governor, subjects you to fines of up to $1,000.00 and poses a public health risk by increasing the spread of this Pandemic. Remember: You can infect others even though you have no symptoms and may not even be aware that you are infected.

2. In addition to not visiting Avalon at this time, I appeal to you to. withhold your property from the rental market for the duration of the State of Emergency and Public Health Emergency due to the COVID – 19 Pandemic. I recognize that this comes as a sacrifice and inconvenience to you. However, such action on your part in withholding your property from the rental market is for the good of all – including you. It will make Avalon a safer place for all of you. I am also requesting that all Realtors comply with this appeal.

3. Measures such as I have requested come at a cost. They also require a change in plans for family and friends that may have been planned for a long time. No one saw this pandemic coming. Never has our country experienced such widespread closures of business, schools, churches, and other institutions. This is the time for all of us, regardless of our circumstances, to practice civic responsibility, remain at home to the greatest extent possible and travelling only for reasons of urgent necessity and following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and the New Jersey Department of Health as well as the guidance of the health departments in our sister states.

4. I urge my fellow citizens to practice caution, restraint, and responsibility toward others during these perilous times. It is therefore imperative that each of us complies with the Governor’s Executive Orders as issued. By your voluntary compliance with these requirements you will serve the needs of all and avoid the necessity of further laws.

Thank you.
MARTIN L. PAGLIUGHI, Mayor