Newark police gave 300 verbal warnings over the past four days to people who violated the mayor’s shelter-in-place order aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus in New Jersey’s most populous city.
The executive order, which went into effect on Wednesday, requires people to stay home and only allows essential businesses to stay open, such as grocery stores and pharmacies. Police have been using loudspeakers to move people off streets when they see residents breaking the rules.
No charges have been filed against violators yet, but that may soon change, said Anthony Ambrose, Director of Public Safety.
“We will be stepping it up and giving summonses,” he said Sunday.
There are 1,086 positive coronavirus test results in Essex County, and more than 200 in Newark. Four people in the city have died after testing positive for the virus.
In an update on Saturday, Mayor Ras Baraka said the city would go on lockdown on Monday, but did not offer further details.
“This is why it’s important for all of us to stay home," Baraka said, referencing the deaths. “We need you to follow orders and instructions. It’s not the time to push back against police and stand on the corner anyway.”
Officials are asking the public to report violations of the mayor’s order by calling 1-973-733-6000 or visiting www.newarkpdonline.org.
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