Newark’s non-essential retail business owners must still submit reopening applications in order to receive a color-coded certificate to allow them to do so, Mayor Ras Baraka announced Wednesday.

The Newark Reopening and Recovery Strikeforce developed the reopening requirements as part of the city’s multi-phased reopening and recovery strategy.

To date, 751 applications have been received, and 555 approved for inspection.

“If residents see a non-essential business open without a posted red, yellow or green certificate, they should walk away and report it. We should spend our money only at businesses that care about protecting our lives and that are not just about making money,” said Baraka in a prepared statement.

“Our Reopening and Recovery Strikeforce created data-driven requirements and best practices that amplify state guidelines,” Baraka said. “The purpose of our guidelines is to inform, protect, and make sure the necessary precautions are being taken during these challenging times so that people can make the right decisions for themselves and their families.”

Guidelines for curbside and in-store pickup include mandatory physical distancing, protective equipment, hygiene and cleaning, communications, and employee screening, along with recommended best practices that follow recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Inside dining is not yet allowed at restaurants and fast food businesses.

The application can be downloaded and submitted by email or dropped off or mailed to the Department of Economic Housing and Development, 920 Broad St., Room 218, Newark, NJ 07102.

Hard copies are available at Invest Newark, 111 Mulberry St.; Newark Downtown District, 60 Park Place; Ironbound BID, 56 Congress ST.; Mount Prospect Partnership, 643 Mt. Prospect Ave.; Bergen-Lyons-Clinton South Ward SID, 101 International Way; Partnership West BID, 1044 S. Orange Ave.; or Mount Prospect Partnership, 643-645 Mt. Prospect Ave.

Newark health, taxation and economic development officials will review applications for compliance and notify the applicant that it has been approved or disapproved within 72 hours. Upon approval, a city representative will arrange an inspection of the business within 24 hours.

After passing the inspection, a business is granted a red, yellow or green certificate to post prominently at its entrance and be granted approval to reopen on the date authorized for that category of business.

The applicant may modify the plan or business protocols and resubmit the application if the application isn’t approved of if the business fails the inspection.