Dear Summit residents and members of the business community:
The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and isolating for so many of us, and I know how much we were all looking forward to the upcoming holidays as a time to reconnect with family and friends. This holiday season, however, we must consider how to modify holiday plans to keep gatherings within your own household or as virtual celebrations to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep our friends, families, and communities healthy and safe. I know the notion of not spending time with loved ones over the holidays is painful; it seems as though we are constantly pummeled by challenges. But if I have learned anything in the last several months it is how resourceful, courageous and supportive we are as a community. We cannot predict how COVID-19 will proceed, but we can model the behaviors we know make this pandemic bearable and livable.
More information is available at cdc.gov and I encourage you to check the website for tips to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting or spreading COVID-19.
There have been an increasing number of positive cases identified in local businesses, our schools and at City Hall. While custodial teams thoroughly clean and disinfect city offices each day to ensure the safest environment possible for members of the public and city staff, it is recommended that all non-essential business be conducted by telephone or online if at all possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, and through the end of 2020.
And finally, this is going to be a very important holiday shopping season for our area businesses that have faced serious challenges during closures last spring and now during a resurgence of virus cases locally. Please commit to supporting and shopping at Summit businesses this season. Our shops and restaurants are ready with innovative ways to do business, including curbside orders, package pickup and more.
We are in this together, and will get through this together.
Best wishes this holiday season,
Nora G. Radest
Mayor of Summit NJ
