NY Giants fund childcare at Meadowlands YMCA for emergency response personnel

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York Giants are doing their part in trying to aid the work of first responders.

They have funded a new program to provide childcare at no cost to emergency response personnel at the Meadowlands YMCA for the next 10 weeks.

The daycare at the YMCA has been operating with coordination from the Bergen County Department of Health, Hudson Regional Hospital and Hackensack University Medical Center for the children of essential personnel during the crisis, according to a press release issued by the YMCA.

Funding from Giants will allow the Y to expand the program to up to 42 children.

David Kisselback, President and CEO of the Meadowlands YMCA, said in a statement that the staff is complying with the state and county Departments of Health’s standards in their health safety protocols.

Coronavirus: Complete coverage on New Jersey cases and the state's response

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, New Jersey has already shut down schools, movie theaters, casinos, racetracks, personal care businesses, performing arts centers, shopping malls, amusement parks, amusement centers, clubs, gyms and bars. Restaurants were also limited to offering delivery and takeout only.

Earlier this week, Murphy urged residents to stay home between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., and banned gatherings larger than 50 including weddings, funerals, religious rites and house parties.

Bergen County remains the most affected of New Jersey's 21 counties, with 48 new cases Friday, for a total of 249. County Executive Jim Tedesco said there are now cases in 56 of the county's 70 towns.

Katie Sobko is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: sobko@northjersey.com Twitter: @katesobko