NJ announces 19 new presumptive positives

TRENTON » The state of New Jersey has announced 19 new presumptive positive coronavirus cases, bringing the statewide total to 69.

Information posted on the state Department of Health website says more than a third of the cases — 25 — are in Bergen County, with 10 are in Middlesex County.

The New Jersey Department of Corrections said that “out of an abundance of caution” the department is suspending visits for the next 30 days as of Saturday evening. Commissioner Marcus Hicks said officials recognize that families are “a critical support to the population in our care” but ensuring the health and safety of inmates, residents, staff and the public were of paramount importance.

Gov. Phil Murphy said earlier that the state is preparing for closing schools statewide, though he stopped short of taking that step. He said it’s a matter of when, not if, they close. Education officials said some 354 districts, or roughly half, in the state have closed already.

DRIVER’S LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

State officials in New Jersey have announced a twomonth extension of expiration dates for driver’s licenses as well as vehicle registrations and inspection stickers.

Governor Phil Murphy and Sue Fulton, chief administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, said the extensions apply to driver licenses expiring in March, April, and May; to registrations expiring in March, April, and May; and for inspection stickers expiring in March, April, and May.

The chief justice of New Jersey’s court system has announced a two-week suspension of municipal court sessions to mitigate public exposure to the coronavirus.

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said Saturday that individuals scheduled to appear through March 27 before a municipal court to contest a traffic or parking ticket or for a minor local ordinance violation should await notice of a new court date.