The New Jersey Business & Industry Association and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities are inviting the media to attend a joint virtual roundtable discussing how the business community and local governments can work together to expedite the reopening of all businesses.
The live event will take place Wednesday, July 1, at 2:30 p.m.
“Interpreting the rules of reopening during COVID-19 can be challenging for both businesses and local governments,” NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka said. “Additionally, rules that may seem easy to implement in writing may actually be more difficult to follow in practice.
“During this dynamic and sometimes confusing time, it’s critical that our businesses and local decision-makers work collaboratively to help those businesses permitted to open with limited capacity, or those still eagerly awaiting their opportunity to reopen.”
Some of the topics to be discussed during the one-hour roundtable include:
What role can/should local governments play in advancing the reopening of the remaining shuttered non-retail businesses that can check all the safety boxes for an effective and safe reopening, as well as moving forward on next phases of increased capacity?
What communication best practices exist in our municipalities relative to the interpretation and enforcement of executive orders and reopening guidelines?
How can business and local government work together to ensure a healthy community, such as by promoting healthy habits when frequenting businesses?
“Since the start of this pandemic and all during the ongoing state of emergency, mayors and their municipalities have literally been on the frontline,” said Michael Cerra, executive director of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
“Through it all, mayors have been keeping in close contact with their local business owners trying to provide whatever information they could use. Now as we carefully reopen, we remain committed to be a real partner to our business community.”
“While local governments are told they cannot supersede executive orders, they are the ones who are tasked to enforce them,” Siekerka added. “We hope this roundtable will be an effective step in having our empowered local governments work closely with our businesses, which is at the heart of fostering and building communities.”
