Bergen County Orders All Parks Closed: Coronavirus

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco last Friday signed an executive order closing the county's parks to the public. The order took effect Saturday morning and will continue indefinitely.

In the order, Tedesco wrote the decision to close county parks came after local authorities reported seeing traffic congestion, parking issues and residents disregarding social distancing requirements in the parks, "placing an unnecessary burden on local law enforcement, the Bergen County Sheriff and other critical resources during a pandemic..."

On Monday Morning, Tedesco announced Bergen County had opened another drive-through coronavirus testing site in Paramus. The site provides testing only for Bergen County residents who are symptomatic for the COVID-19 virus and have seen a telemedicine doctor.

Read more: Bergen County Opens New Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing Site

As of Monday afternoon Bergen County had 2,169 positive cases of the new coronavirus.

A Columbia University study earlier this month found coronavirus infections in Bergen County could top 200,000 by early may if strict social distancing is not enforced.

According to the study, the peak of infection could be pushed past July 31, with as few as 1,200 cases by May 1, if strict social distancing measures are implemented.

"Our social distancing directives are not polite suggestions," Gov. Phil Murphy said. "They are there for a reason: to flatten the curve, to cut off the surge" of cases that lead to hospitalization and stress on the state's health care system.

Murphy on Thursday said statewide school closures are likely to remain in place through at least April 17, which is the end of spring break for a number of districts across the state.

Read more: Best-Case Scenario: August Peak For Coronavirus In Bergen County