The test positivity rate in Newark is 21%, twice that of
the state, Mayor Ras Baraka announced in a statement on Saturday.
It comes one day after advising a
10-day shutdown of the
city beginning on Wednesday.
Mayor Baraka says the positivity rate in the East Ward is
even more alarming at 41%.
“We are urging all Newark residents and businesses to
follow the guidelines and instructions for this holiday season,” the statement
reads. “We cannot risk a continual spread of COVID-19 in our community. We
cannot go back to where we were in April and May. But what we can do is urge
everyone to be responsible, cautious, and think of the greater good. People’s
lives depend on this.”
During a radio interview on Friday, Baraka outlined what
the stay at home advisory would mean for Newark residents.
Mayor Baraka's WBGO interview, Nov. 19
“All stores that are nonessential and also this includes
corner stores too. We are advising that everybody close down. Not just stores,
but workplaces, barbershops, beauty parlors, gyms – everything shut down from
Nov. 25 to Dec. 4,” Baraka said.
As News 12 has reported, the 10-day lockdown is not an
order. It is yet to be determined if individuals and businesses will comply.
But the mayor says that he believes that his pleas will be answered and that
the city will make sacrifices to save lives.
“I think Newarkers are conscientious. They’ve done it
before – slowed this thing down. And I think they will have the will and
authority to do it again,” Baraka said.