Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla has signed an executive order mandating the COVID-19 vaccine or weekly testing for municipal employees, following guidelines put in place for federal workers by President Joe Biden (D).
The order indicates that employees who are not fully vaccinated by August 9th will be required to take and submit to the City weekly COVID-19 tests and wear a face covering in both indoor settings, as well as when interacting with the public.
“Given the recent increase of cases and the Delta variant in our region, the requirement we’re adopting today has become necessary to help keep our community safe,” Bhalla said in a statement.
“I ask all Hoboken businesses and companies to consider implementing similar measures, to protect their own employees and members of the public. The vaccines have been proven to be highly effective and I strongly encourage every person who has not yet done so, to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
The U.S. Department of Justice said earlier this week that federal law does not prohibit private businesses or public agencies from imposing mandates of this nature.
“The vaccines have been proven effective and are saving lives,” began Hoboken University Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Rimmer.
“With the spread of the Delta variant – we are all faced with two options – get the vaccine, or inevitably get the virus. Without question, the vaccine is currently the safer option.”
The city is continuing to offer weekly testing and vaccine clinics to anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Hoboken.
The Hoboken Health Department will provide free vaccinations to all municipal employees on Tuesday, August 4, through Medicine Man Pharmacy at 605 Jackson St. from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Further information on Hoboken COVID-19 testing can be found here, with vaccine information available here.