The Essex County Sheriff’s Office will not execute evictions and suspended foreclosure sales indefinitely due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

All Essex County vocational schools, Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Arena, county golf courses and senior buildings in the parks system will be closed until March 27 too. Other public events throughout Essex County, including the Cherry Blossom bike and 10K race at Branch Brook Park, will be postponed.

There were seven confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 as of Saturday afternoon, bringing the state’s total to at least 69. The state did not release information regarding which municipalities the cases were in.

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said the suspension of evictions will be in effect indefinitely until state officials and his office conclude the public health emergency has passed. Anyone with questions about eviction or foreclosure sales should call the agency’s Civil Process Division at 973-621-4116.

"Our hope is that by curtailing these types of interactions and face-to-face events, we will help stop any spread of contagion during this crucial period of outbreak,” Fontoura said in a statement.

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr. said the parks department will not issue any new permits for events until at least March 27. Other measures were also put in place for public buildings, like the county jail or the welfare office in Newark.

“We are taking precautions in order to keep our residents safe and prevent any possible exposure to coronavirus,” DiVincenzo said. “One of the ways to reduce the spread of the virus is to prevent community spread by avoiding large gatherings such as races and festivals. We are doing everything we can to ensure that our residents feel safe.”

Newark Public Schools, the largest district in New Jersey, announced all school will close until the end of March. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s sixth state of the city address at New Jersey Performing Arts Center was also postponed.

The following facilities will be closed until March 27. Any events hosted by the county or independent organizations at these locations will either be postponed or canceled:

Essex County Vocational School District

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo

Essex County Codey Arena

Essex County Golf Course: Francis Byrne Golf Course, Hendricks Field Golf Course and Weequahic Golf Course

All community centers and senior buildings located within the Parks System

The Parks Department will not issue any new permits for events being held within this time period.

Several new procedures were put into place at public buildings as well:

Additional measures were put into place to medically screen detainees entering and being released from the Essex County Correctional Facility.

The visitation schedule and outside passes for patients at the Essex County Hospital Center have been suspended.

Clients dropping off forms, applications or other documents at 18 Rector St. or 50 South Clinton St. are being asked to mail them, send them electronically or deliver them to drop boxes in the office.

The vehicles that are part of the Essex County Special Transportation program will be cleaned more often. Partnerships have been created with companies like Uber and Lyft to provide additional transportation options if necessary.

The Division of Senior Services’ meal program, known as the Senior Café in the Park program, transitioned to a “grab and go” format. In some cases, the meals will be delivered.

Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @BeccaPanico.