Power companies ready for potential damage as weather forces several coronavirus testing sites to close

Today's expected strong storms and high winds across New Jersey are causing several coronavirus testing sites to be closed, and power companies are prepared for any potential damage the storm may cause.

News 12 Staff

Apr 13, 2020, 9:50 AM

Updated 1,634 days ago

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Today's expected strong storms and high winds across New Jersey are causing several coronavirus testing sites to be closed, and power companies are prepared for any potential damage the storm may cause.
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The storm has forced officials to keep a handful of testing sites from opening today, including the one at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, as well as the County College of Morris in Randolph, Hudson Regional Hospital in Secaucus, and the drive-thru in Union City on 36 Street. The Union City testing location will take walk-ins.
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With more people working and attending school from home, a working electric grid is now even more important to daily life. Tony Garrihy, a spokesperson from PSE&G, says the company does not expect any widespread outages.
"We've been monitoring the storm's approach, and we look at this constantly,” says Garrihy. “We constantly look at things that might impact safety and reliability to our customers. We also understand folks from home have a greater reliance on their service working, and it's all the more value that their service is working reliably and safely."
Garrihy also says workers are following social distancing and safety guidelines set by the state and that all customers should charge their devices now, just in case. 

People should also avoid any downed lines and stay clear of any workers making repairs.
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