COVID-19

Please note that news items are updated daily Monday through Friday (with the exception of Township holidays/closures).

08/15/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that, following recent updates to COVID-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in advance of the upcoming school year, he signed an executive order lifting the requirement that school districts, child care settings, and state contractors maintain a policy requiring their unvaccinated workers undergo routine testing. The change will apply to school districts and child care settings immediately, and to state contractors as of September 1, 2022.

As of June 17, 2022, anyone aged 6 months or older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. At this time, more than 18.4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in New Jersey, with more than 1.9 million doses having been administered to children under the age of 18.

This executive order lifts the testing requirements put into place for school districts, child care settings, and state contractors via previous executive order numbers 253, 264, and 271, respectively. Nothing in today’s order prevents these settings from maintaining a vaccination or testing policy as they see fit going forward.

Schools and child care facilities will still be required to report vaccination and testing data to the Department of Health, as per Executive Directive No. 21-011, to allow the State to continue to monitor COVID-19 and make data-driven decisions to keep residents safe.

Covered workers in congregate care, health care, and correctional facility settings will still be required to be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, including the first booster dose, as per prior executive orders.

Separate of today's executive order, the New Jersey state employee testing program will also come to an end on September 1, 2022.

For a copy of Executive Order No. 302, click here.

08/03/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed a bill (S-2364 [t.e2ma.net]) to extend expanded permissions for restaurants, bars, distilleries, and breweries to use fixtures and equipment enabling them to serve patrons outdoors in private areas, on sidewalks, and in other municipally-designated outdoor areas. The permissions were set to expire November 30, 2022 but will now be extended by two additional years to support the food and beverage industry, patrons, and local communities by facilitating opportunities to serve customers outdoors.

The Governor authorized municipalities to enable the expansion of outdoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect residents while supporting food and beverage establishments. Many business owners have continued to offer outdoor dining since beginning to offer outdoor seating during the summer of 2020.

Today’s legislation will authorize continued use of fixtures such as tents, canopies, umbrellas, tables, and chairs for outdoor dining until November 30, 2024, extending a law that was signed by the Governor in February of 2021. This represents another part of the Governor’s ongoing support for small businesses, which includes the additional $50 million investment in the FY2023 budget for the Main Street Recovery Fund that has assisted many restaurants and other small businesses.

The Governor signed the bill at Vesta Wood-Fired, a local restaurant that received a grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority as part of our state’s small business emergency assistance program to support New Jersey businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

07/29/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed S-144/A-2159 (Diegnan, Beach/Egan, Danielsen, Park) - Establishes “COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Worker Memorial Commission.”

07/21/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that preliminary estimates produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show total nonfarm wage and salary employment in New Jersey increased by 9,800 jobs in June to reach a seasonally adjusted level of 4,212,800. Over the first six months of the year, New Jersey employers have added 96,000 jobs, for an average monthly gain of 16,000.  

The state has now recovered 717,000 nonfarm jobs, or about 98 percent of the number lost in early 2020 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. However, June’s private-sector employment (3,629,900) now exceeds the pre-pandemic level recorded in February 2020 (3,621,300) by 8,600 jobs. The state’s unemployment rate remained at 3.9 percent in June. 

Based on more complete reporting from employers, the previously released total nonfarm employment estimates for May were revised higher by 3,900 jobs to show an over-the-month (April – May) increase of 10,600.  Preliminary estimates had indicated an over-the-month gain of 6,700 jobs. The state’s May unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.9 percent.

In June, employment increases were recorded in five out of nine major private industry sectors. Sectors that recorded employment increases were leisure and hospitality (+7,600); trade, transportation, and utilities (+4,200); education and health services (+3,800); manufacturing (+1,600); and other services (+400). Sectors that recorded decreases were financial activities (-2,700); professional and business services (-2,600); construction (-2,200); and information (-500). Over the month, public-sector employment increased by 200 jobs. 

Preliminary BLS data for July will be released on August 18, 2022. 

07/08/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release stating that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced plans to award grants totaling $17.5 million to 30 nonprofit organizations through Phase 3 of its successful Sustain & Serve NJ program. Sustain & Serve NJ provides eligible entities with grants to support the purchase of meals from New Jersey restaurants that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the distribution of those meals at no cost to recipients. The additional $17.5 million in awards announced today brings total program funding to $52.5 million.

Sustain & Serve NJ launched during the pandemic as a $2 million pilot program to boost restaurants impacted by COVID and has grown into an over $50 million program that continues to bring much-needed food to people across New Jersey. Since February 2021, Sustain & Serve NJ has already supported the purchase of more than 3.5 million meals from over 400 restaurants in all 21 counties with grants totaling $35 million.

Phase 3 of Sustain & Serve NJ is funded by $10 million allocated by Governor Phil Murphy from the federal American Rescue Plan and approximately $7.5 million in State funding. Funding from this latest phase is expected to support the purchase of an additional 1.5 million meals.

The Authority is putting forth a multi-pronged strategy to eliminate food deserts within the state and to bolster the child care sector, an industry whose critical importance was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NJEDA is also working with partners statewide to create a Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center in Trenton as part of First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Nurture NJ initiative to make New Jersey the safest and most equitable place to give birth in the country.

06/18/22:  Governor Murphy and Health Commissioner Persichilli issued the following statement: Everyone 6 months of age and older can now be protected against severe COVID-19 illness following today’s recommendation by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

On June 17, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years of age and the Moderna vaccine for children 6 months through 5 years of age. Today, the CDC Director endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation that enables everyone 6 months of age and older to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This is welcome news for parents concerned with ensuring their children have the strongest protection against COVID-19.

Vaccines are safe and effective tools against serious illness, hospitalization and death. We have pre-ordered vaccine doses and have been working with our vaccination sites and healthcare providers to get them ready to vaccinate these younger children, and they are prepared to begin as soon as they receive the vaccine.
Children under age 5 who receive the Pfizer vaccine for their age group will be given three doses at one-tenth the strength of adult doses, and children under age 6 who receive the Moderna vaccine for their age group will receive two doses at one-quarter the strength of an adult dose.

We encourage parents of young children to schedule an appointment to get their child vaccinated. Parents who have questions about the vaccine should talk to their pediatrician or healthcare provider. 

Everyone is urged to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. All individuals ages 5 and older who have completed their primary series are now eligible for a booster five months after completing their primary series. 

Anyone who has not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine should strongly consider doing so to help protect themselves, their families and their communities. In addition, anyone eligible for a booster dose or recommended for a second booster dose who has not yet received theirs should get it today to enjoy a safer and healthier summer.

For more information on vaccines, treatments, and available vaccination appointments at nearby locations, visit covid19.nj.gov or contact the Vaccine Call Center at 855-568-0545.

04/01/22:  Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) issued a press release announcing that nearly $18 million in federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) State Fiscal Recovery Funds will be allocated to reimburse local educational agencies (LEAs) for additional special education services provided to students who were impacted by COVID-19 related school disruptions but would otherwise have reached the maximum age of eligibility for public school services (21 years old), as required by legislation (S3434) signed by the Governor in June 2021. 

The legislation signed by the Governor in June 2021 requires LEAs to offer up to one year of additional or compensatory special education for impacted students in the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 school years, if a determination is made by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team that the student requires such services. DOE did comprehensive outreach to inform the special education community of the availability of additional services and encouraged eligible students to opt-in to the program. The funding allocation announced today will reimburse LEAs for the first cohort of eligible students. DOE plans to continue comprehensive outreach efforts to ensure that the needs of the impacted student population are met.
 
To date, the DOE has approved reimbursement applications for 221 students in 78 LEAs. The $18 million allocated today reimburses LEAs for the full costs of the first year of the three-year implementation of this program. Reimbursements will be distributed to LEAs in two equal installments and DOE will continue reimbursing LEAs for the full costs of this program for the next two years.  
 
The goal of compensatory special education and related services is to remedy the knowledge and skills deficit that result when missed services are determined to have caused a denial of a student’s right to a free and appropriate public education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Each IEP team determines the need, type, amount, frequency, and duration of compensatory services on a case-by-case basis.
 
As reflected in the Governor’s signing statement, the DOE initially estimated that the provision of such services to the three eligible cohorts of students could cost up to approximately $600 million. That estimate was made from abundance of caution; facing uncertainty regarding the extent of the need around the State for compensatory services, the DOE’s goal is to ensure the State’s ability to reimburse 100% of the costs of services provided under this program. The DOE remains committed to that goal and will continue to reimburse all eligible costs for the duration of the program.

School officials and residents can email the NJDOE’s Office of Special Education at OSEinfo@doe.nj.gov for more information. 

03/24/22:  The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) issued a press release announcing today that it has completely disbursed its original $625 million allocation of federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds to New Jersey renter households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. About $608 million in rental aid has been delivered to 67,880 households by DCA’s Division of Housing and Community Resources during the second phase of the State’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CVERAP). The remainder is being used to administer the program.

The Department’s high performance in distributing the rental assistance has led to not one, but two additional ERA awards to the State of New Jersey. On March 14th, DCA was notified by the U.S. Department of Treasury that it will receive $44.6 million more in ERA funds. This is on top of the additional $42.7 million in ERA funds that DCA received earlier this year. The $87.3 million in extra funds were reallocated by U.S. Treasury from other states and localities in the nation that didn’t use them.

DCA is using the extra $87.3 million in federal ERA funds to help households on the CVERAP program’s waiting list. If people submitted an application for CVERAP prior to the closing of the program’s application period on December 15, 2021, and are contacted by DCA, they should follow the instructions they are given.

In addition to CVERAP, DCA is also administering the $500 million Eviction Prevention Program, which is focused mainly on helping households pay their rent moving forward for up to two years. The application period for the Eviction Prevention Program has also closed. The $500 million will be distributed monthly over 24 months. Thus far, DCA has disbursed more than $10 million to the approximately 4,600 households that are already in the Eviction Prevention Program.  

If people did not previously submit an application for CVERAP or the Eviction Prevention Program and are in need of help in paying rent arrears or future rent, they may submit a pre-application at https://njdca.onlinepha.com/ to be considered if DCA reopens the application period in the future.

Aside from providing rental assistance, the State has in place eviction protections for nonpayment of rent for households that experienced economic hardships during the heart of the pandemic. However, these eviction protections aren’t automatic; people must act.

To be protected from eviction due to nonpayment of rent from March 2020 through August 31, 2021, tenants must self-certify as to their income for these protections. To be protected for the months of September 2021 through December 31, 2021, they must self-certify their income and also apply in some way for rental assistance through local, county, and/or state government. To find out more about current eviction protections available and how to self-certify for these protections, people can visit https://covid19.nj.gov/renter.

DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including energy assistance, housing vouchers, affordable housing production, fire and building safety, community planning and development, local government management and finance, and disaster recovery and mitigation.

03/17/22:  Governor Murphy and Health Commissioner Persichilli issued the following statement: We are closely watching the recent rise in global COVID numbers and, given both previous trends with regard to spread and our location as an international nexus for travel and trade, we do anticipate that we will eventually see an increase in the number of cases in New Jersey. We will continue to closely monitor virus activity in the state, in particular for impacts to our health care system.

However, at this time, we do not anticipate any need to reinstate universal statewide mandated protective measures. We encourage residents to stay up to date with vaccinations and boosters, get tested when exposed or sick, and monitor the state's COVID-19 Activity Level (CALI) Report and CDC COVID Community Levels for awareness of local COVID-19 activity and CDC masking recommendations. Those who are immunocompromised or otherwise at high risk are encouraged to follow the guidance of their health care provider and the CDC.

We continue to be among the nation's most-vaccinated states. Our health care infrastructure remains strong.  

We are not going to manage COVID to zero nor are we impervious to the virus. We expect COVID to continue to mutate and cases to continue to ebb and flow. Moving to an endemic status still means we must all take personal responsibility to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

03/04/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing, at his final COVID-19 press briefing, that he signed Executive Order No. 292, which lifts the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency in addition to the statewide school and daycare mask mandate, effective on Monday, March 7. This major step has been made possible by the Murphy Administration’s comprehensive and successful pandemic response efforts.

EO No. 292 terminates the Public Health Emergency declared in EO No. 280, effective on Monday, March 7. The State of Emergency declared in EO No. 103 will remain in place to ensure that the State continues to have necessary resources as COVID-19 is managed on an endemic level. It is common practice for states of emergency for major crises to remain in place to allow the State to receive and distribute federal funding without any unnecessary red tape or bureaucratic obstacles, as exemplified by Governor Christie’s State of Emergency declaration for Superstorm Sandy, which remains in effect to this day.

Additionally, EO Nos. 111, 112, 207, 252, 253, 283, and 290 remain in full force and effect under the State of Emergency except that any civil or criminal immunity related to the COVID-19 response bestowed by Executive Order No. 112 shall not be in effect. EO No. 292 also extends various Administrative Orders, Directives, and Waivers taken by the Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the pandemic to allow for an orderly transition as we move towards an endemic. 

Copy of Executive Order No. 292

03/02/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order No. 290, which updates and clarifies timeframes for requiring covered workers at health care facilities and high-risk congregate settings to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including having received a booster shot.  EO No. 290 aligns state timelines with updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations on optimal intervals between first and second doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccination series, in addition to other updates.

EO No. 290 clarifies that health care facilities subject to the federal Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) rule must have a policy in place that requires their covered workers to complete their primary series of the COVID-19 vaccination within the timeframes set forth in the guidance for the federal CMS Rule. Additionally,  EO No. 290 modifies the timeframe within which health care facilities’ covered workers must obtain their booster dose to be April 11, 2022 or within three weeks of becoming eligible, whichever is later.

EO No. 290 also modifies the deadline by which high risk congregate care settings must require their covered workers to submit proof that they are up to date with their vaccination by May 11, 2022, including any booster for which they are eligible. Workers who become newly eligible for a booster shot after the May 11, 2022 deadline, will be required to submit proof of their booster shot within three weeks of becoming eligible.

The executive order also requires a covered setting to take the first step toward bringing a noncompliant covered worker into compliance as part of the disciplinary policy required by Executive Order No. 283 (2022) within two weeks of the respective April 11, 2022 and May 11, 2022 deadlines. Under the EO, failure to take such action may result in penalties and other corrective actions allowed pursuant to federal or state regulation or statute.

For a copy of EO No. 290, please click here.

02/24/22:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Small Business Grant Program was given an additional $5 million last night by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, which voted unanimously to increase the program funding. The program was launched on Valentine’s Day with a $5 million fund.

The Morris County program is providing grants of up to $15,000 to reimburse qualified small businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations for specific pandemic recovery expenses incurred on or after March 3, 2021 – a timeline established under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which is the source of the funding.  

As of this morning, 370 small business owners and nonprofits had filed applications with the program citing nearly $13 million in claims. Not all claims will qualify, and each applicant will be capped at $15,000 if their claims are approved, but businesses are being urged to investigate the program.

02/23/22:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that small business owners and nonprofits are invited to a free “town hall” in Wharton, N.J. on Monday, Feb. 28, to learn about the Morris County Small Business Grant Program and find assistance in applying for grant money being given to cover specific pandemic recovery costs.

The town hall is being held 10 a.m. at the La Casa Del Sabor restaurant at 19 North Main Street, Wharton and there is no cost to attend or participate.  There will be a demonstration of the online grant application portal, and assistance will be provided to those who want to submit applications during the event.

Small business owners will be greeted by Morris County Commissioners and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, as well as representatives of Solix Consulting Solutions, which is operating the online grant portal under a contract with Morris County.  Several computers are being provided and staffed by members of Valley National Bank to assist in processing applications.

Any business owner or nonprofit may apply NOW by going to: morriscountysmallbusinessgrant.com.

If you plan to file at Monday’s event, you should still go to the website to learn what you should bring with you.

Program supporters are working to establish additional outreach efforts for businesses and nonprofits in the coming weeks, emphasizing there is NO COST associated with applying for the grants beyond an investment of time.

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners has committed $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars toward the program.

The program will provide grants of up to $15,000 to reimburse small businesses and nonprofit organizations for specific pandemic recovery expenses incurred on or after March 3, 2021 – a timeline established under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which is the source of the funding.

The Small Business Grant Program eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to:

• Available to businesses with 25 or fewer full time employees (or equivalent)
• In operation since Jan. 1, 2019
• Located within Morris County
• Less than $5 million in sales/revenue
• Proof of a decline in sales/increased expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Federal guidelines covering the grant program will determine exactly which expenses are covered by the grant program and which applications may be approved. The grants are capped at $15,000 per applicant. However, business owners and nonprofits are encouraged to submit applications that include all costs that may qualify for the grant, even if the total amount claimed exceeds $15,000, because a review of the applications may find some costs submitted for consideration do not meet the program guidelines.

02/16/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that $10 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) will be allocated to support New Jersey’s Foreclosure Prevention Act (P.L. 2021, c.34) program administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA). NJHMFA will use these funds to stabilize communities through supportive homeowner interventions and vacancy rehabilitation and sale, stemming the loss of single-family homes to rental property investment firms. 

Following the 2008 financial crisis, New Jersey’s single-family residential market was decimated, with many properties purchased by investors for rental purposes, reducing the stock of affordable single-family homes. Nationwide, the financial impact of COVID-19 on homeowners may lead to a similar — if not greater — loss of single-family homes. 

The Murphy administration anticipates using these funds to purchase non-performing mortgage notes from the FHA prior to foreclosure proceedings. If the homeowner occupies the property, efforts will be made to assist the homeowner. If the property has been abandoned, steps will be taken to obtain title, complete any required rehabilitation, and return the home to the single-family market. 

02/14/22:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Small Business Grant Program kicked off its online portal this Valentine’s Day to begin accepting on-line applications for grants to aid small companies, entrepreneurs and nonprofits impacted by the pandemic.

About 200 Morris County small business owners and nonprofits successfully filed for grants at morriscountysmallbusinessgrant.com in the first day it was open, after a brief glitch and delay in the morning launch. The applications began to come in after the first hour, and approximately 30 business owners and nonprofits from Dover were assisted in filing their online applications at the Sabor Latino Restaurant on North Morris Street during a kick-off press conference.

Deputy Director Commissioner John Krickus addressed the restaurant gathering of federal, state, and local officials and about 60 business owners who attended to hear about the program. Among the speakers were Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, Morris County Chamber President & CEO Meghan Hunscher and Ed Ramirez of the Economic Development Corporation. Also in attendance were Commissioners Stephen H. Shaw, Deborah Smith and Douglas Cabana, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, Dover Mayor Carolyn Blackman, Dover Aldermen and dignitaries from Valley National Bank and Solix Consulting Solutions, which is operating the grant portal under a contract with Morris County.

Valley National Bank and Solix representatives staffed a row of laptops to assist local businesses in Dover for about two hours to navigate the grant portal and successfully file applications. Program supporters are working to establish additional outreach efforts for businesses and nonprofits in the coming weeks.

The program will provide grants of up to $15,000 to reimburse small businesses and non-profit organizations for specific pandemic recovery expenses incurred on or after March 3, 2021 – a timeline established under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which is the source of the funding.

The Small Business Grant Program eligibility requirements include:

• Available to businesses with 25 or fewer full time employees (or equivalent)
• In operation since Jan. 1, 2019
• Located within Morris County
• Less than $5 million in sales/revenue
• Proof of a decline in sales/increased expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Federal guidelines covering the grant program will determine exactly which expenses are covered by the grant program and which applications may be approved. However, Morris County and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce encouraged small business owners and nonprofits to carefully review the information posted to the webpage containing the application portal - morriscountysmallbusinessgrant.com – and submit an application.

02/10/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order No. 288 which will extend the Public Health Emergency declared on January 11, 2022 by Executive Order No. 280 for 30 days. Governor Murphy’s intention to extend the Public Health Emergency was announced on Monday, February 7, 2022.

The Public Health Emergency allows the state to continue vaccine distribution, vaccination or testing requirements in certain settings, the collection of COVID-19 data, implementation of any applicable recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent or limit the transmission of COVID-19, staffing and resource allocation, and other critical components of the State’s COVID-19 response.  

Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, the Public Health Emergency will expire after 30 days, unless renewed. State COVID-19 metrics will be reevaluated at the time of expiration to determine if an extension will be needed.  

For a copy of Executive Order No. 288, please click here.

02/07/22:  Noting the significant decline of statewide COVID-19 metrics, Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that masks and facial coverings will no longer be mandated for students, staff, or visitors in schools and childcare centers effective March 7, 2022. 

School districts and childcare facilities can continue to implement universal masking policies after the mandate is lifted in March. Schools that do not impose universal masking should revise their COVID policies to utilize masking among other prevention strategies under certain circumstances. Schools will not be permitted to bar the use of facial coverings by individuals and will be expected to take disciplinary action in instances of bullying should they arise due to an individual’s choice to continue wearing a mask. Prior to the mandate being lifted, the Department of Health will release guidance to help school districts update their policies to align with the risks and unique needs of their setting and student population to ensure safe learning environments.

Governor Murphy and the Department of Health continue to encourage parents of school-aged children age five and over to vaccinate children against COVID-19.

Governor Murphy will also sign an Executive Order before the Public Health Emergency expires on February 10, 2022 which will extend the Public Health Emergency declared on January 11, 2022 by Executive Order No. 280 for 30 days. The Public Health Emergency allows the state to continue vaccine distribution, vaccination or testing requirements in certain settings, the collection of COVID-19 data, implementation of any applicable recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent or limit the transmission of COVID-19, staffing and resource allocation, and other critical components of the State’s COVID-19 response. 

Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, the Public Health Emergency will expire after 30 days, unless renewed. State COVID-19 metrics will be reevaluated at the time of expiration to determine if an extension will be needed. 

01/28/22:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that the county's Small Business Grant Program will begin accepting on-line applications at 8 a.m. on Feb. 14, 2022, Valentine’s Day, to aid local small companies, entrepreneurs and non-profits impacted by the pandemic.

Details may be found at morriscountysmallbusinessgrant.com on eligibility guidelines, supporting documents required to submit an application and more. The webpage contains a countdown clock to when the application portal will open, and applicants will find the application portal on the same webpage when the system is activated at 8 a.m. Feb. 14.

The program will provide grants of up to $15,000 to reimburse small businesses and non-profit organizations for specific pandemic recovery expenses incurred on or after March 3, 2021 – a timeline established under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which is the source of the funding.

The Small Business Grant Program eligibility requirements include:

• Available to businesses with 25 or fewer full time employees (or equivalent)
• In operation since Jan. 1, 2019
• Located within Morris County
• Less than $5 million in sales/revenue
• Proof of a decline in sales/increased expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The Morris County Chamber of Commerce will be coordinating outreach to potentially eligible businesses, including those who may not have traditionally sought government grant funding in the past.

01/25/22:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that, on Feb. 8, the State of New Jersey will launch the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program (ERMA), a federally financed program for homeowners who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible homeowners may receive up to $35,000, plus free housing counseling services, to cover mortgage arrearages, delinquent property taxes and other housing cost delinquencies.

This lifeline makes loss mitigation options, such as refinancing, a viable option.

ERMA, which is being administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA), utilizes $325.9 million of federal Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) money under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

ERMA will also provide free housing counseling services to help New Jersey homeowners apply for this program, guide them through all available options, and even work with their loan servicers to achieve the best outcome available for their families. These counselors will also ensure that the process is accessible to those without access to Internet or those having difficulties navigating the process.

Visit www.njhousing.gov/dca/hmfa/covid19/haf to review program eligibility guidelines and sign up for program updates.

To qualify for the ERMA program, homeowners must meet the following requirements:

• Be a New Jersey homeowner with a demonstrated COVID-19-related financial hardship occurring after January 20, 2020
• Own and occupy an eligible primary residence
• Have an income below 150% of their Area Median Income (AMI).

NJHMFA will provide the centralized application intake platform, eligibility review and payment of assistance, which will be made directly to the servicer.

Housing counselors are available to assist homeowners with applications or understanding all available options. ERMA applications can be submitted using a personal computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, or call 855-647-7700 to be put in touch with a housing counselor. 

The ERMA application portal will open for applications at: www.njerma.com on February 8, 2022 at 9 a.m.

NJHMFA will work to accommodate homeowners with disabilities as well as to assist applicants with limited English proficiency. The application portal is available in many languages. Applicants seeking accommodations should contact NJHMFA at (855) 647-7700 for assistance.

To receive updates and notifications on the program via email and/or text, visit the NJHMFA HAF page and complete the "Receive HAF Update Notifications" form at:

www.njhousing.gov/dca/hmfa/covid19/haf

01/24/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release stating that he and and Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver today announced the upcoming launch of the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program (ERMA), administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA). This program will provide up to $35,000 in assistance to cover mortgage arrearages, delinquent property taxes, and other housing cost delinquencies for eligible homeowners negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. New Jersey’s program utilizes $325.9 million of federal Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) money, and is expected to help thousands of families get back on their feet, stabilizing New Jersey’s most at-risk communities. Foreclosures don’t just hurt the family experiencing them. They negatively impact the surrounding properties in their neighborhood and hurt their larger community. This assistance offers struggling families a lifeline, and can make other loss mitigation options, such as refinancing, viable.

ERMA will also provide free housing counseling services to help New Jersey homeowners apply for this program, guide them through all available options, and even work with their loan servicers to achieve the best outcome available for their family. These counselors will also ensure that the process is accessible to those without access to internet or those having difficulties navigating the process.

In December, New Jersey’s ERMA program became one of the earliest HAF plans to receive United States Department of Treasury approval to launch. The program is financed through the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The ERMA application portal will open for applications at: www.njerma.com on February 8, 2022 at 9AM.

Visit www.njhousing.gov/dca/hmfa/covid19/haf to review program eligibility and sign up for program updates.

To qualify for the ERMA program, homeowners must meet the following requirements:

• Be a New Jersey homeowner with a demonstrated COVID-19-related financial hardship occurring after January 20, 2020; 
• Own and occupy an eligible primary residence;
• Have an income below 150% of their Area Median Income (AMI).

NJHMFA will provide the centralized application intake platform, eligibility review, and payment of assistance, which will be made directly to the servicer.

ERMA applications can be submitted using a personal computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Housing counselors are available to assist homeowners that need help completing the application or understanding all available options. 

NJHMFA will work to accommodate homeowners with disabilities as well as to assist applicants with  limited English proficiency.  The application portal is available in many languages. Applicants seeking accommodations should contact NJHMFA at (855) 647-7700 for assistance.

To receive updates and notifications on the program via email and/or text, visit the NJHMFA HAF page and complete the "Receive HAF Update Notifications" form at www.njhousing.gov/dca/hmfa/covid19/haf.

01/24/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he intends to nominate Sarah Adelman as the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services. Adelman has served as Acting Commissioner since January 2021. The New Jersey Department of Human Services serves one in three New Jersey children and one in five adults, with a budget of approximately $20 billion in state and federal funds and a staff of more than 7,400.

Under Adelman’s leadership as Acting Commissioner, the Department of Human Services has helped residents through the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on assisting New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents including those needing child care, income and food assistance; older adults; individuals with disabilities; advancing health equity; and those needing mental health and addiction services and health coverage through New Jersey’s Medicaid program, NJ FamilyCare.

Adelman joined the Department in 2018, initially serving as a Deputy Commissioner, overseeing the Division of Developmental Disabilities, Division of Aging Services, and the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, which operates the Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare program. She also served on the Board of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.

Before joining Governor Murphy's Administration, Adelman served as Vice President at the New Jersey Association of Health Plans and Chief of Staff at the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute. She also served on the Board of Trustees for Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice, and the Board of Directors for a statewide child abuse and neglect prevention program.

Adelman received her Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from Rowan University and a certificate in Advanced Healthcare Leadership from Seton Hall University as a fellow in the inaugural class of the New Jersey Healthcare Executives Leadership Academy.

01/19/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed Executive Order No. 283, requiring covered workers at health care facilities and high-risk congregate settings to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including having received a booster dose. All covered workers will be required to be vaccinated by the dates set forth in the Order and will no longer be permitted to submit to testing as an alternative to vaccination, except for the purposes of providing an accommodation for individuals exempt from vaccination as set forth in the covered setting’s vaccination policy.  This requirement aims to strengthen protection against the spread of COVID-19 and the highly transmissible Omicron variant to vulnerable populations across the state. 

For purposes of this Order, health care and high-risk congregate settings include:

• Acute, pediatric, inpatient rehabilitation, and psychiatric hospitals, including specialty hospitals, and ambulatory surgical centers
• Long-term care facilities, including the state veterans homes
• Intermediate care facilities, including the state developmental centers
• Residential detox, short-term and long-term residential substance abuse disorder treatment facilities
• Clinic-based settings like ambulatory care, urgent care clinics, dialysis centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, family planning sites, and opioid treatment programs
• Community-based health care settings including Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, and pediatric and adult medical day care programs
• Licensed home health agencies and registered health care service firms operating within the state
• State and county correctional facilities
• Secure care facilities and residential community homes operated by the Juvenile Justice Commission
• Licensed community residences for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Licensed community residences for adults with mental illness
• Certified day programs for individuals with IDD and TBI; and
• Group homes and psychiatric community homes licensed by DCF

For purposes of this Order, workers are defined as:

• Full and part-time employees
• Contractors
• Other individuals working in the covered setting, including individuals providing operational, custodial, or administrative support

Health care facilities’ covered workers subject to the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate for health care settings will have until January 27, 2022, to obtain their first dose of the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccination and submit proof that they are up to date with their vaccination by February 28, 2022, which includes having completed their primary series and any booster shots for which they are eligible. This timeline is consistent with the Biden Administration’s federal vaccine mandate for health care settings.

Health care facilities’ covered workers not subject to the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate for health care settings and high-risk congregate care covered workers will have until February 16, 2022 to obtain their first dose of the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccination and submit proof that they are up to date with their vaccination by March 30, 2022. 

Workers who become newly eligible for a booster shot after the respective February 28 and March 30 deadlines will be required to submit proof of their booster shot within three weeks of becoming eligible. Executive Order No. 283 also requires that covered workers currently subject to testing under Executive Order No. 252 must continue once to twice weekly testing until they provide adequate proof that they are up to date with their vaccinations based on the respective February 28 and March 30 deadlines.  

Additionally, the Order requires covered settings to have a disciplinary process for noncompliance, including and up to termination of employment. This Order will not impact a setting’s ability to impose more stringent vaccination or testing requirements on workers, including any requirement for more frequent testing. 

For a copy of Executive Order No. 283, click here. 

01/14/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed the following legislation:

A-5689/S-3830 (Greenwald, Mukherji, Mazzeo/Beach, Turner) – Makes $25 million in federal funds available to Department of State for travel and tourism advertising and promotion for recovery from COVID-19 pandemic.

01/12/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed the following legislation:

S-4139/A-6155 (Vitale, Madden/Conaway, Stanley, Mukherji) - Extends temporary emergency licensure of certain health care professionals.

01/11/22:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he reinstated a Public Health Emergency, effective immediately, in order to ensure that the State is able to respond to the continued threat of COVID-19 and the rapidly spreading Omicron variant. Executive Order No. 280 declares a Public Health Emergency and restates the existing State of Emergency across all 21 counties in New Jersey, allowing state agencies and departments to utilize state resources to assist the State’s healthcare system and affected communities responding to and recovering from COVID-19 cases. Executive Order No. 281 continues Executive Orders Nos. 111, 112, and 207, allows Executive Orders Nos. 251, 252, 253, 264, and 271 to remain in effect, and extends various regulatory actions taken by the departments in response to COVID-19. 

Governor Murphy’s public health emergency declaration also empowers all State agencies to take all appropriate steps to continue to address the public health hazard resulting from new variants of COVID-19.  

Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, the Public Health Emergency will expire after 30 days, unless renewed. State COVID-19 metrics will be re-evaluated at the time of expiration to determine if an extension will be needed. 

For a copy of Executive Order No. 280, please click here.

For a copy of Executive Order No. 281, please click here.

For a copy of the appendix to Executive Order No 281, please click here.

01/10/22:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that more than 800 people obtained free COVID-19 tests today in the first day of operations at the newly reopened Morris County Testing Center at the County College of Morris (CCM).

Phlebotomists with LabQ Diagnostics are administering the tests, which involve LabQ PCR nasal-swabs. Patients were advised that the national demand for testing has inundated laboratories and delayed analysis, so results that usually may be available in 24-to-48 hours may take 72 hours or more.

Atlantic Health System and Saint Clare’s Health reported during a Friday conference call with county leadership and the mayors of Morris County that the center will help to reduce emergency room pressures brought on by people trying to be tested at hospitals. The medical centers also reported that most people needing hospitalization for COVID-19 had not receive a booster vaccination shot. 

The no-cost testing is available by appointment only.  No one will be permitted to walk into the facility without an appointment, and appointments must be scheduled on-line through the Morris County COVID-19 Information website. 

The center will be open seven days per week and appointments will be available between 7 a.m. and 6:45 p.m., except for a half hour between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m.

01/06/22: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the New Jersey National Guard will be deploying to long-term care facilities throughout New Jersey to assist with COVID-19 response efforts and to augment facilities’ staffing. This is an extension of Joint Task Force COVID Guardian, which has provided coordinated assistance to numerous long-term care facilities since the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Approximately 150 Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard are preparing to support staffing requirements of more than a dozen long-term care facilities around the state. Guard members will assist regular staff with a variety of tasks, including administrative and logistical support. Members are undergoing training and work is anticipated to start at their assigned locations on Monday, January 10, 2022.

Tasks that National Guard members will assist with will include:

• Assist residents with getting from bed to chair, walking
• Assistance in dressing and daily hygiene activities
• Meal set-up and feeding
• Routine assistance
• Testing and screening staff, residents, and visitors.

01/7/22:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that  the county will resume no-cost, COVID-19 testing inside the Student Center at the County College of Morris (CCM) on Monday to help meet a soaring demand.

Testing is available by appointment only.  No one will be permitted to walk into the facility without an appointment, and appointments must be scheduled on-line through the Morris County COVID-19 Information website.

The center will be open seven days per week and appointments will be available between 7 a.m. and 6:45 p.m., except for a half hour between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m.

Saint Clare’s Health and Morristown Medical Center/Atlantic Health System have noted that a Morris County testing center at CCM will relieve emergency department pressures.

Testing Center

Morris County and the County College of Morris will again collaborate with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office to operate the testing facility in the same Student Center location where the county operated its testing center last year. Instead of a saliva test, the center will employ the LabQ Diagnostics nasal-swab PCR tests.

HQ Health, which is the new LabQ brand name for the company’s suite of comprehensive and complete healthcare services, opened a new, 100,000 square foot center in Mount Olive last May. Among other operations, the center will manage four other national data centers for LabQ and employ more than 1,000 people locally.

Because of the massive demand on testing throughout the nation, people looking to be tested are being advised that receiving results may take considerably longer than the usually advertised timetable of 24 hours to 48 hours.

People who schedule a test will not be charged for the service, but will be asked to provide information about whether they have health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or no healthcare coverage. Individuals with symptoms or who have a known exposure to COVID-19 should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for isolation or quarantine until they receive their test results.

Please monitor the COVID-19 information page on the Morris County website to learn of any changes in the testing schedule at CCM or updates on other testing programs and the pandemic.

Directions and Precautions

Parking at CCM for people with appointments will be reserved in Lot 6, where individuals using public transportation to and from CCM also may board or disembark from a bus.  To find directions to CCM and learn more about public transportation options to and from the campus, please go to the CCM website.

Everyone arriving at the campus is required to wear a protective face covering or mask from the time of arrival in the parking lot to the moment of departure.

12/27/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing, to increase availability of COVID-19 testing in the state, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will establish a surge testing site in New Jersey. The site will be part of the CDC’s Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) for COVID-19 Surge Response effort, which partners with pharmacies and commercial laboratories to provide free testing resources to underserved communities. The New Jersey Department of Health is working with CDC officials to determine a location for the surge testing site, when a location is selected and a timeline for opening is established it will be announced to the public.

12/23/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed legislation (S-2559) that extends for the next two years the requirement adopted at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic that health benefits plans reimburse health care providers for telehealth and telemedicine services at the same rate as in-person services, with limited exceptions. At the same time, the legislation charges the Department of Health with conducting an in-depth study of the utilization of telehealth and telemedicine and its effects on patient outcomes, quality and satisfaction, and access to care in order to inform future decisions on payment structure for these services.  This legislation will provide critical support to patients and providers while the State continues to address the challenges posed by the pandemic, and while the Department of Health evaluates how to best leverage payment and telemedicine to improve access to affordable care and maintain the highest quality of care possible. 

Primary sponsors of S-2559 include Senators Vin Gopal and Nia Gill, and Assemblymembers Joann Downey, Herb Conaway, Daniel Benson, Eric Houghtaling, and Robert Karabinchak. 

In addition to extending the reimbursement pay parity requirement for the next two years, S-2559 includes a number of provisions that will improve access to telehealth in both the short and the long term. Under the legislation, the extension of pay parity for the next two years will include a requirement that audio-only behavioral health care services are reimbursed at the same rate as if those services are provided in person. The legislation also permanently prohibits insurance carriers from imposing geographic or technological restrictions on the provision of telehealth services, as long as the services being provided meet the same standard of care as if the services were delivered in person.

12/22/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed S4081, extending the utility shutoff grace period established under Executive Order No. 246 from December 31, 2021, to March 15, 2022, for all water, municipal electric, and sewer customers. The legislation also extends the payment plan provisions of Executive Order No. 246, requiring all utilities to offer a 12-month, no down payment, interest-free payment plan to customers prior to disconnecting service or imposing liens for non-payment of arrearages that had accrued since the beginning of the public health emergency. Further, the legislation requires the Department of Community Affairs to establish a Winter Termination Program for customers of water, sewer, and electric municipal utilities and local authorities, and requires the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to include water and sewer public utilities in its existing Winter Termination Program. These programs, which will take effect for the 2022-2023 winter season, will protect customers who are eligible for certain public assistance programs or are unable to pay their bills due circumstances beyond their control from utility disconnections between November 15 and March 15.

Primary sponsors of the legislation include Senators Nilsa Cruz-Perez and Shirley Turner, as well as Assemblywomen Annette Quijano and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson.

12/21/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order #277, launching the New Jersey Health Care Cost Growth Benchmark Program. The Governor also announced a stakeholder compact that unites New Jersey insurers, health care providers, and health care advocates in support of the new program and the goal of working together to provide more affordable health care for all New Jerseyans. 

From 2010 to 2016 in New Jersey, health care premiums and deductibles have grown roughly three times faster than residents’ incomes and in 2016, premiums equaled almost a third of median household income. Further, a survey of more than 900 New Jersey adults, conducted from May 7, 2020 to May 12, 2020 found that more than three-quarters (77%) are worried about affording healthcare in the future.

Recognizing the unsustainability of these trends and the economic hardship on residents and businesses because of the COVID-19 pandemic, on January 28, 2021, the Governor signed Executive Order #217 directing the development of a health care cost growth benchmark program to mitigate the rate of health care cost growth in the State. With Executive Order #277, the Governor formally establishes the New Jersey Health Care Cost Growth Benchmark Program and takes a concrete step toward curbing health care cost growth. The benchmark program also offers an important opportunity for the implementation of market-based strategies rooted in broad stakeholder commitment and industry- wide collaboration to support benchmark attainment. 

The New Jersey Health Care Cost Growth Benchmark Program will provide everyone in the state with a shared understanding of how much health care costs are growing and factors contributing to high costs and cost growth. Over time, the benchmark program aims to decrease how much health care costs grow each year, and to contribute to making health care more affordable. The Governor’s Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency and the Department of Banking and Insurance will lead the efforts of the benchmark program, along with committed partners at the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Department of Treasury, and the Division of Community Affairs. The Health Care Affordability Advisory Group, developed per EO #217 has also been critical to the development and launch of this program. 

The program is also bolstered by a stakeholder compact organized by the Murphy Administration consisting of advocacy groups, hospitals and health care providers, leading insurers, a union, employers and other stakeholders across New Jersey and is a collaborative agreement memorializing the collective commitment of stakeholders to work toward implementing the benchmark program, it sets forth the benchmark plan and establishes a commitment to take actions to make health care more affordable and to participate in the data collection, validation, analysis and reporting processes. 

The following organizations, advocacy groups, and businesses have signed onto the compact:

• AmeriHealth New Jersey
• Atlantic Health System
• Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers
• Cooper University Health Care
• Hackensack Meridian Health
• Horizon Blue Cross / Blue Shield of New Jersey
• New Jersey Association of Health Plans
• New Jersey Citizen Action
• New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute
• New Jersey Hospital Association
• NJM Insurance Group
• Rutgers University AAUP-AFT
• RWJ Barnabas Health
• Sandkamp Woodworks
• St. Joseph’s Health
• Summit Health
• Virtua Health

For more information about the program, please click here.

For the stakeholder compact, please click here.

For a copy of Executive Order #277, please click here.

12/15/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he returned to University Hospital in celebration of the one-year anniversary of the of the first COVID-19 vaccination in New Jersey. On December 15, 2020, Governor Murphy marked the historic beginning of New Jersey’s vaccination effort at University Hospital and witnessed the administration of the first COVID-19 vaccinations to the state’s frontline health care workers. To mark the anniversary, Governor Murphy and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli designated December 15 as Boost NJ Day, with vaccination sites offering expanded walk-in availability and extended hours to increase accessibility and encourage booster doses.

Today, more than seven million New Jerseyans have received at least their first dose, and more than six million have completed their primary vaccination course. Additionally, 1.5 million eligible New Jerseyans have received their booster dose.

12/14/21: Morris County issued a press release announcing that it and Atlantic Health System (AHS) are continuing to collaborate on vaccinating the community with three, one-day community clinics over the next several days offering COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.

To make an appointment for the clinics, call (973) 829-7940.

Other appointments for vaccinations and boosters may be made online at Atlantic Health.

The clinics include:

• Dec. 16, Thursday, County College of Morris, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Student Center, Davidson Room
• Dec. 17, Friday, Community Church of Mountain Lakes, 48 Briarcliff Road, Mountain Lakes. NOTE: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. only for clients of the Mental Health Association Essex and Morris Counties. Noon through  2:30 p.m., all other appointments.
• Dec. 21, Tuesday, Lafayette Learning Center, 31 Hazel Street, Morristown, 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

AHS and Morris County also continue to collaborate on vaccination outreach efforts for homebound residents, special needs communities and seniors.

12/03/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release stating that he and and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli announced that the New Jersey Department of Health has identified a case of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) in a traveler to the state. The individual, an adult female, who is a fully vaccinated Georgia resident, had recently traveled to South Africa.

Since testing positive on November 28, the woman has remained in isolation. She experienced moderate symptoms and is now recovering after receiving care in a North Jersey emergency department. The New Jersey Department of Health laboratory performed sequencing on the specimen to confirm it was the Omicron variant.

On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization classified this new variant, B.1.1.529, as a Variant of Concern and named it Omicron. On November 30, 2021, the United States also classified it as a Variant of Concern. The New Jersey Department of Health has been working with other states, local health departments, clinical laboratories, hospitals, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to rapidly identify individuals who may have been infected with the Omicron variant.

Studies show after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus and the ability to prevent infection may decrease over time. Booster doses provide essential additional protection.  While more than 70 percent of residents have received their primary vaccine series, only 31 percent of residents eligible have received a booster.

The CDC recommends that all individuals 5 and older should get vaccinated and those 18 and older receive a booster dose.  Residents should visit COVID19.NJ.GOV or call the Vaccine Call Center at 855-568-0545 to find a vaccine or booster appointment.

12/03/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that, as part of his continued commitment to help working families recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19, he signed legislation (S4065/A6071) that will make significantly more New Jersey families eligible for the state’s Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. The legislation will make taxpayers with incomes of $150,000 or less per year who incur expenses for childcare and other household expenses eligible for the credit for starting in tax year 2021. Under current law, only taxpayers with incomes of to $60,000 or less are eligible. The expanded state credit is based on the federal credit which underwent a significant expansion for tax year 2021 through the American Rescue Plan.

The bill also revises the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit so it is refundable in 2021 and removes the current caps of $500 for employment-related expenses paid by the taxpayer for one child or dependent and $1,000 for employment-related expenses paid by the taxpayer for two or more children or dependents.  

12/02/21:  Morris County issued a press release with a reminder that Dec. 15 is the deadline set by the state Department of Community Affairs on submitting applications for rental assistance, eviction protection and assistance in paying overdue utility bills.

The DCA mailed letters in mid-October to approximately 350,000 households behind in their electric and gas bills, informing them about the assistance available to pay arrearages. Households that misplaced the letter, did not open it or forgot about it can visit the DCAid Service Portal and enter their utility account number to see if they qualify for arrears assistance.  Learn more about assistance with utilities at the DCA website.

Households in Morris County having difficulty applying should contact the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs, Inc., which is working with the DCA in administering the program. See “Utilities Assistance” listing below for phone numbers and office locations.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND EVICTION PROTECTION 

The DCA has also advised that the application period for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Eviction Protection Program will be closing on Dec. 15, 2021. Both programs are designed to provide relief to people in low- and moderate-income households who are unable to pay rent due to COVID-19. To date, more than $421 million in federal Emergency Rental Assistance funds have been issued to 47,329 New Jersey households. Landlords also may apply for assistance on behalf of a tenant.  Learn more or apply for assistance under both programs at the NJ-DCA portal.

Applications can be submitted online with the use of a personal computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. The application is available in ten languages.

Anyone with questions or difficulty accessing the Internet should contact the DCA’s call center at 609-490-4550. The call center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, and is staffed with English and Spanish speaking assistants. Translation services for other languages also are available.

Individuals without Internet access may submit pre-applications over the phone.

Important notice: Applicants for rental assistance must be aware they are not guaranteed assistance because the number of applications will exceed the funding currently available to provide rental relief. Applications received prior to the Dec. 15 deadline will be included in a lottery to fairly distribute the remaining federal funds.

UTILITIES ASSISTANCE

Collaborating with the DCA on the utilities assistance is the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs, Inc. The office locations, mailing address and phone numbers are listed below.

Dover Office: 95 Basset Highway, Suite 97, Dover, NJ 07081; Email: rsoto@mcoha.org; Phone: (973) 366-4770, Extension 26; Fax: (973) 361-7878; Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Morristown Office: 45 Clyde Potts Ct., Morristown, NJ 07960; Email: srivers@mcoha.org; (973) 366-4770 Extension 22; Fax: (973) 644-4878; Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A Drop-Off Mail Box is available during and after working hours.

Mailing Address: 95 - 97 Basset Highway, Dover, NJ 07081

11/23/21:  Morris County issued a press release stating that, in recognition of “Small Business Saturday,” the Morris County Board of County Commissioners announced the development of the Morris County Small Business Grant Program that will provide federal fiscal recovery funding to local, small companies and entrepreneurs impacted by the pandemic.

The application process has not yet opened, but will be announced later as program details are finalized and the program is officially launched. The program is being designed to provide grants of up to $15,000 to reimburse small businesses and non-profit organizations for specific pandemic recovery expenses incurred on or after March 3, 2021 – a timeline established under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which is the source of the funding.

The Small Business Grant Program eligibility requirements include:

• Available to businesses with 25 or fewer full time employees (or equivalent)
• In operation since Jan. 1, 2019
• Located within Morris County
• Less than $5 million in sales/revenue
• Proof of a decline in sales/increased expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The Commissioners’ plan is to dedicate $5 million in ARPA funds to the program.

An online process is in development for applicants to submit proper documentation needed to determine eligibility of a business and the expenses that qualify for reimbursement. The Morris County Chamber of Commerce will be coordinating outreach to potentially eligible businesses, including those who may not have traditionally sought government grant funding in the past.

The Morris County Commissioners also have adopted a special resolution urging Morris County residents to observe “Small Business Saturday” by shopping locally this Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. The Saturday after Thanksgiving has become known as “Small Business Saturday” since American Express launched it on Nov. 27, 2010, and it has since grown into a national campaign to encourage holiday shoppers to patronize local businesses.

Despite the pandemic impacts, U.S. consumers reported spending a record high total of $19.8 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on “Small Business Saturday” 2020. The Morris County Commissioners are actively encouraging Morris County residents to help repeat that success and even break that record.

11/23/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed Executive Order No. 275, which clarifies certain statutory deadlines that were extended in Executive Order Nos. 127, 159, 170, and 178 based upon the termination of the Public Health Emergency pursuant to P.L.2021, c.103 and Executive Order No. 244. The statutory deadlines, as extended, are included in the accompanying Appendix to the Order. The Order will take effect immediately.  For a copy of Executive Order No. 275, please click here.  For a copy of the Order’s Appendix, please click here.

11/20/21:  Governor Murphy and N.J. Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli issued the following statement: "Yesterday, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adopted updated eligibility recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices making all adults 18 years of age and older eligible for a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Effective immediately, all Pfizer and Moderna vaccine recipients are eligible for a booster dose six months after completing their primary two-dose series. All those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine continue to be eligible to receive a booster dose two months after their primary dose.

All of the vaccines are safe and effective, but all show the need for boosters over time due to waning immunity. With the holidays approaching, we encourage all individuals who have received their COVID-19 vaccination to get a booster dose. We also continue to encourage all individuals who have not yet received a vaccination, to do so ahead of holiday gatherings and travel to avoid putting themselves, their family, and community at risk. It’s that simple.

We continue to work with all vaccination sites to ensure availability and accessibility to vaccinations and maintain an adequate supply of vaccine from the federal government. We also are maintaining extensive outreach efforts through the state's Vaccine Call Center, canvassing efforts in high priority communities, and public awareness campaigns to provide education on the importance of booster doses and vaccinations.

Visit covid19.nj.gov/finder to locate a vaccine appointment or reach out to the Vaccine Call Center at 855-568-0545 if you need assistance in finding and scheduling an appointment." 

11/19/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that $75 million in funding will be distributed to school districts across the state to help meet emergent and capital maintenance needs, as well as address COVID-19 concerns to help schools ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for students. Because every school district in New Jersey will receive funding, the projects will also support good-paying union jobs in all corners of the state. 

All school districts will receive a portion of the $75 million, which will be administered by the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA). Of the $75 million, $50 million will be distributed to New Jersey’s 31 SDA districts and $25 million will be distributed to regular operating districts. 

Besides being able to use the funds for emergent and capital maintenance needs and measures related to COVID-19, a district can use the funds to offset appropriate project costs incurred this fiscal year.

A complete list of all districts and their allocations is available online.

11/18/21:  Governor Murphy's office issued a press release stating that Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced that the Department of Law & Public Safety is making available $12 million in grant funding to reduce gun violence and support crime victims, including $10 million to support Community-Based Violence Intervention (CBVI) Programs—the largest single investment in such programs in New Jersey’s history. 

The Department is now accepting applications from nonprofits and other community organizations for these grant funds, as described in the Notices of Availability of Funds (NOAFs) that the Department is releasing to the public today. Funding is available to support two programs: $10 million for the CBVI grant program, and $2 million in COVID-19 relief funds to provide emergency housing for crime victims. 

The $10 million CBVI funding was included in the State Fiscal Year 2022 Budget, and reflects a key component of the Murphy Administration’s efforts to tackle the root causes of violent crime. Through the CBVI program, non-profit community service providers will receive funding for the development and implementation of violence intervention programming for communities impacted by higher than average rates of violence, with a focus on gun violence. 

The purpose of the CBVI program is to support non-profit community service providers by soliciting applications for initiatives including street outreach and mentoring, trauma-informed programs with cognitive behavioral therapy, and integration of local social service providers to connect people to social and economic services.  CBVI programs have a track record of success, and have reduced homicides by as much as 60% in communities where they were initiated. These programs employ violence intervention strategies that provide alternatives to violence and embody a community-based public safety model. 

In addition to the CBVI program, the $2 million COVID-19 Emergency Housing for Victims program provides funding for the relocating of high-risk victims of crime who face threats within their community, and whose victimization is directly related to, or heightened by, the pandemic. This program is supported by the Federal Fiscal Year 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) grant. Funding for this program will be used to provide emergency housing services in two purpose areas. The first includes $1 million for a single entity to provide statewide emergency housing services specifically to victims of domestic violence. The second purpose area includes $1 million for applicants to provide COVID-19 emergency housing for all other victims of violence including sexual assault, human trafficking, and gun violence, with individual grant awards up to $50,000.   

As part of the office’s commitment to ensuring access to the funds, two live virtual grants workshops will be held in December to provide technical assistance and additional information on the application process. 

Virtual Violence Intervention Grants Workshop 1 -- Dec 1, 2021 10:00 AM https://njoag.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_zpvI5gYCRWCYM95zBmA7Pg 

Virtual Violence Intervention Grants Workshop 2 -- Dec 7, 2021 01:00 PM https://njoag.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_SlirgyiARFuqWIhOlZ_cUg

For the full eligibility and application requirements, the NOAFs and Application Guidelines/Instructions for each funding opportunity are available online at www.njoag.gov/resources/grant-opportunities/notices-of-available-funds/.

11/10/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release stating that, as the U.S. reckons with record-breaking drug overdose deaths during the COVID-19 epidemic, Michael R. Bloomberg announced that Bloomberg Philanthropies is making a five-year, $120 million investment to help combat the overdose crisis in the hard-hit states of Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina and Wisconsin. This investment brings Bloomberg Philanthropies’ total commitment to the Bloomberg Opioids Overdose Prevention Initiative, which was launched in 2018 with $50 million, to $170 million over eight years.

The Overdose Initiative is expanding at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has made the overdose epidemic significantly worse. Preliminary data of 2020 from CDC shows the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a single year in U.S. history; more than 93,000 people died representing a 30% increase from the previous 12-month period. CDC data also shows that seventy-five percent of these overdose deaths were opioid related.

Today’s announcement was made at the 4th annual Bloomberg American Health Summit -- an event of Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health – which brings together experts and innovators creatively tackling some of the nation’s most pressing public health challenges. The five new states that will join the Overdose Prevention Initiative will each receive $10 million in support over the next five years, with Pennsylvania and Michigan receiving an additional $4 million above the initial 2018 investment throughout the next three years. All of these states have a high burden of overdose deaths, falling within the top 25 states with the highest drug overdose death rates in 2019 and all having increased overdose deaths in 2020.

The program – a partnership with the CDC Foundation, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Johns Hopkins University, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and Vital Strategies – will support our work including in five new states to scale existing efforts and implement new programs, and to advocate for federal policies to expand treatment access and harm reduction with a goal of accelerating progress in reducing overdose deaths. The state work will include funding for technical assistance, direct services, and embedded staff at government agencies and other organizations to support state and locally led interventions. Decisions on use of these funds will be made in partnership with the state leadership.  The program will also continue to support Michigan and Pennsylvania.    

The prior investment in Michigan and Pennsylvania saw significant results and including lives saved over the past three years. The CDC NCHS vital statistics data showed that prior to the pandemic, Michigan and Pennsylvania both saw decreases in overdose deaths. When COVID-19 infection rates reached their highest points, the CDC data shows both states saw lower increases in overdose deaths than the national average.

The expansion will draw upon learnings from Michigan and Pennsylvania to communicate best practices and create models that can be replicated in the rest of the United States. States will focus on ensuring medication access and availability, engaging local communities and supporting people who use drugs. Additionally, our partners will emphasize a health equity approach to overdoses, as Black Americans have disproportionally been affected by overdose deaths.  

The Bloomberg American Health Summit is organized by the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, created in 2016 with a $300 million gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The Initiative works to apply public health tools and strategies to five critical challenges facing American communities—addiction and overdose; environmental challenges; risks to adolescent health; violence; and obesity and the food system.  The Bloomberg American Health Initiative has awarded more than 200 fellows full-tuition to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where they then work for at least one-year in their respective organizations. Through this manner, the initiative has supported more than 183 collaborating public health groups.

11/09/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release stating that he and Governors Kathy Hochul and Ned Lamont announced an agreement on the suballocations of extraordinary federal emergency relief funding apportioned to the region by Congress to mitigate the historic pandemic-related loses in transit system ridership and revenues.

After negotiations, the states agreed that approximately $10.85 billion of the funding will be for New York, $2.66 billion will be for New Jersey, and $474 million will be for Connecticut.

This funding, provided from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), recognizes that the tristate area was among the hardest hit by the pandemic and provides the resources necessary for the nation’s largest subway, commuter rail and bus services located in these states to avoid layoffs, furloughs, and severe service reductions. These transit agencies ensured essential workers could be where they were needed most, and this funding will help support their longer-term recovery and sustainability.

11/08/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed legislation (S3984/A5933) designating the New Jersey Department of Health State office building in Trenton as the “Judith M. Persichilli Building” in honor of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli. The building is named in honor of Commissioner Persichilli’s past and ongoing service to the people of New Jersey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Primary sponsors of the legislation include Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Shirley Turner, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji. 

Commissioner Judy Persichilli began serving as Acting Commissioner of Health on August 5, 2019. She was confirmed by the State Senate on January 9, 2020.

Prior to leading the department, Commissioner Persichilli served as the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of University Hospital in Newark. Commissioner Persichilli was president emerita of CHE Trinity Health, the health ministry formed in May 2013 by the consolidation of Catholic Health East and Trinity Health of Livonia, MI. She previously served as the interim president and chief executive officer (CEO) of CHE Trinity Health. Prior to this appointment, Commissioner Persichilli was President and CEO of Catholic Health East.

Commissioner Persichilli joined CHE in 2003 as the Executive Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Division. She was promoted to Executive Vice President of acute care for the system in 2008 and then to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in December 2009 before assuming the role of CEO. Prior to joining CHE’s System Office, she served for eight years as CEO at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton.

Persichilli received her nursing diploma from the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing summa cum laude from Rutgers University, and a Master of Arts in Administration summa cum laude from Rider University. She also received an honorary Doctor of Health degree from Georgian Court University in 2009. In May 2011, Commissioner Persichilli received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.

11/08/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed the following legislation:

A-4538/S-3131 (Lampitt, Quijano/Pou, A.M. Bucco) – Requires dental insurers to provide credits for reduced usage during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

A-4836/S-3313 (Giblin, Benson, Downey/Pou, Turner) – Establishes task force to evaluate quality, efficacy, costs, and educational outcomes of online courses offered by public and independent institutions of higher education and degree-granting proprietary institutions during COVID-19 pandemic.

A-4861/S-3041 (Vainieri Huttle, Armato, Verrelli/Vitale, Gopal) – Requires DOH to publish total number of COVID-19 deaths and cases in long-term care facilities.

In addition, he absolute vetoed the following bills: 

S-2347/A-4030 (Sweeney, Greenstein, T. Kean/Mukherji, Benson, Murphy) – ABSOLUTE - Establishes Employment and Business-Related Tax Deferral Assistance Program in EDA to allow small businesses to defer the payment and remittance of certain employment and business-related taxes during COVID-19 public health emergency.

Copy of Statement

S-3093/A-4910 (Gopal, Sweeney, Singleton/Burzichelli, Johnson, Danielsen) – ABSOLUTE - Establishes county-based mitigation plan to allow businesses to operate during pandemic.

Copy of Statement

S-3505/A-5371 (Scutari, Weinberg/Mukherji, Johnson, Quijano) – ABSOLUTE - Requires assignment of unemployment claims handlers to legislative districts and partisan offices during COVID-19 pandemic state of emergency; appropriates $1.8 million.

Copy of Statement.

11/05/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing an additional $10 million in funding to support the creation of a third phase of the Sustain & Serve NJ Program, bringing the total program funding to nearly $45 million.

Launched by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) in December 2020, Sustain & Serve NJ has provided eligible entities with grants to support the purchase of meals from New Jersey-based restaurants that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. The meals have then been distributed to families in need. 

Through the first two phases of the program, the NJEDA awarded more than $34 million to 31 organizations across the state. Since February 2021, Sustain and Serve grantees have purchased two million meals from more than 400 participating restaurants across nearly 150 municipalities in all 21 counties. An additional 1.5 million meals are expected to be purchased between now and January 2022 using Phase 2 grants. Phase 3 funding is expected to support the purchase of an additional one million meals, bringing the total number of meals purchased and distributed to 4.5 million.

Phase 3 of Sustain & Serve NJ will make up to $10 million in American Rescue Plan funding available to organizations in New Jersey. Eligible organizations will receive grants for bulk purchases of meals from New Jersey-based restaurants. The entities will then distribute the meals at no cost. 

A list of current Sustain and Serve NJ grantees can be found here. 

10/29/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that its Department of Human Services has been highly successful in disbursing federal rental assistance made available to families and landlords impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, countering a national trend in which disbursements have stalled.

Congress allocated more than $45 billion in rental aid this past spring to help low- and moderate-income families struggling to pay the rent through the pandemic; however, the U.S. Department of Treasury reported that only about a fifth of the dollars had reached households as of the end of September. Morris County and Burlington County, in partnership with the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA), have been notable exceptions because of aggressive efforts to reach people in need.

A total of $14,677,248.30 was allotted to Morris County. As of Oct. 24, Morris County had disbursed $11,980,600.12 to 1,287 applicants. The state DCA estimates the full allotment will be disbursed by the end of the year.

The aid remains available in Morris County and the State of New Jersey to people who had a substantial reduction in income, have qualified for unemployment benefits, incurred significant costs or experienced a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NOTE: A new income threshold, cited below, increases eligibility for assistance to many more households.

Renters and landlords may inquire about the program by checking the criteria provided at the DCA COVID-19 Information website. Some of the qualifications also are listed further below.

To apply, go to: https://njdca.onlinepha.com/

Morris County collaborated with the DCA, as have other counties, to utilize the state’s program vendor and eliminate confusion for those in need by using one on-line portal to access the assistance application.

The program covers two areas:

Emergency Rental Assistance for Arrears: Applicants may be eligible for up to a maximum of 12 months of emergency rental assistance to help pay for rent arrears and future rent to the extent that funds are available. Families that have already received funding through Phase I of the program, that need additional rent support, and have not yet received the maximum 12 months of emergency rental assistance can apply for additional funding.

Emergency Rental Assistance for Current and Future Rents: Financial assistance is limited to three months based on application submitted, except that the household may receive additional assistance for additional months subject to the availability of remaining funds and eligibility, not to exceed 12 months (plus an additional three months if necessary to ensure housing stability).

Persons applying must meet all applicable income and eligibility requirements. You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to apply or be an emancipated minor. Only one (1) application per household will be accepted. Applications will be accepted until enough applications have been received to ensure distribution of all available funds. A computerized selection (lottery) process will be used to select residents who have been impacted by COVID-19 for eligibility determination.

Eligibility Criteria: Selected households must meet the following eligibility criteria to qualify for assistance:

• Qualify for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability;
• Have a household income at or below 120 percent of the area median income (please see income limits at https://njdca.onlinepha.com/);
• Have a lack of assets and savings to pay rent arrears or current and future rent;
• Be a New Jersey resident; and
• Obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling.

The program will only pay for rent arrears incurred after March 13, 2020.

Property managers or owners of a residential dwelling may apply for assistance on behalf of a tenant.

The landlord must:

• Obtain the signature of the tenant on the application, which may be documented electronically; and
• Must provide documentation of the application to the tenant to notify the tenant that the application has been submitted.

10/20/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order No. 271, which requires new and potential state contractors to demonstrate that all of their employees who enter, work at, or provide services in any state agency location are fully vaccinated or otherwise undergo weekly testing.

Among the provisions in Executive Order No. 271 are that:

• Each executive department and agency including independent authorities will to the extent permitted by law, ensure that contracts or agreements entered into by the executive department or agency include a clause that the contractor or any subcontractors, at any tier, that is party to the contract must maintain a policy that requires all covered workers to either provide adequate proof to the covered contractor that they have been fully vaccinated or submit to COVID-19 testing at minimum one to two times weekly;
• The order will apply to any new contract, new solicitation for a contract, extension or renewal of an existing contract, and exercise of an option on an existing contract, if it is a contract for services, construction, including demolition, remediation, removal of hazardous substances, alteration, custom fabrication, repair work, or maintenance work, or a leasehold interest in real property through which covered workers have access to State property, and the cost or contract price thereof is to be paid, in whole or in part, with or out of executive department or agency funds.
• Covered workers must provide proof of vaccination which includes:
  • The CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Card issued to the vaccine recipient by the vaccination site, or an electronic or physical copy of the same;
  • Official record from the New Jersey Immunization Information System (NJIIS) or other State immunization registry;
  • A record from a health care provider’s portal/medical record system on official letterhead signed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, registered nurse or pharmacist;
  • A military immunization or health record from the United States Armed Forces; or Docket mobile phone application record or any state specific application that produces a digital health record.

The order is effective immediately.

Copy of Executive Order No. 271

10/13/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing $300,000 in additional funding towards a continued partnership with rideshare companies Uber and Lyft in conjunction with United Way Worldwide and NJ 211 to provide access to free and discounted rideshare services to New Jersey residents who lost a personal vehicle as a result of Tropical Storm Ida and who are unable to obtain another vehicle due to the impacts of COVID-19.  Uber and Lyft initially partnered with the State to provide free rideshares to those impacted by Ida starting in early September. The first phase of the Tropical Storm Ida rideshare program provided over 2,400 rides.  Due to the severe impacts of Tropical Storm Ida, in combination with COVID-19’s impacts on individuals and the supply chain overall, many Ida-impacted individuals still require assistance with transportation.  This second phase of the Ida rideshare program will continue to provide critical transportation to many New Jerseyans in need. 

New Jersey residents who lost a vehicle and need help accessing essential services can text NJIDARIDE to 898-211 to request a Lyft or Uber ride. Those without access to a smartphone can dial 2-1-1 from any phone line.

10/13/21:  In a press release, Governor Murphy and Human Services Acting Commissioner Sarah Adelman announced plans to invest more than $700 million to help parents pay for child care, provide bonus pay to child care workers, and distribute grants and increase support for child care providers.

The initiative builds upon previous efforts by the Murphy Administration to support child care and reflects input from families served in the state’s child care assistance program, child care providers and various stakeholders through listening sessions, and parent roundtables the department held over the last few months.  

The initiative relies mainly on American Rescue Plan funding allocated to Human Services by the federal Administration for Children & Families and includes the following key areas:

Supporting Children and Families by reducing child care costs

• Continuing to help eligible families by covering the additional amount they may owe for fees or the difference between what the state pays and the provider charges. This assistance began in September and is now extended to December 2023. These additional payments provide up to $300 for full-time care, or $150 for part-time care, per eligible child, per month on top of the child care assistance rate paid by the state on behalf of the family.
• Waiving co-payments in the state’s child care subsidy. 
• Implementing financial incentives to increase the number of child care providers that offer non-traditional evening and weekend hours. 

Recruiting and Supporting Child Care Workers

• To increase child care capacity, $1,000 bonuses will be provided beginning this winter to help providers recruit new child care employees and retain current child care staff.
• Funding for an additional bonus will be provided in summer 2022.
• The bonuses will be partly funded from the Child Care Revitalization Fund signed into law by Governor Murphy that provides $30 million to Human Services for child care workforce assistance. 

Supporting Child Care Providers

• Child care providers will be eligible for two new rounds of pandemic stabilization grants to help stabilize and sustain their operations.
• For licensed child care centers, grant availability will range from $20,000 to $80,000 in the first round, depending on the number of children they serve.  The grants will be $2,000 for family child care providers.
• Providers can use these dollars to support their operating expenses such as wages and benefits, rent and utilities, cleaning and sanitizing, facilities maintenance and improvements.
• Grants will also again be made available for summer youth camp providers in 2022 and 2023 to help cover COVID-related costs and assist families with paying for summer camp. 

During the pandemic, the state has spent $400 million on pandemic-related child care programs, including:

• Launching a temporary emergency child care program for essential workers;
• Providing various grants and enhanced payments to child care providers;
• Implementing a temporary program to help families with school-age children with unanticipated child care costs due to remote learning; and
• Paying full-time rates for school-age children in the state’s child care assistance program due to remote learning. Funding was also made available to summer camp providers.

10/12/21:  The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) issued a press release announcing that it mailed out letters to approximately 350,000 households with overdue electric and natural gas bills to notify them that they are potentially eligible for assistance to pay their utility arrearages. The Department urges people who receive a letter to act quickly and immediately apply for help since the assistance is available for a limited time only.

The letters mailed out today contain a QR code that households can scan with their smartphone to access a State website to apply for utility relief. The letter also includes a web address and toll-free phone number for those households that don’t have a smartphone or internet.  

Households will have one month from the time they receive the letter to complete the application form and certify that a COVID-related hardship affected their ability to pay for electric and/or gas bills. If found eligible, households will receive credits on their utility accounts.  

Approximately $375 million in federal funding has been allocated for utility arrearages. Sixty percent of the allocation is coming from legislation (S-3691) Governor Murphy signed into law on August 4, 2021. The remainder is from Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding set aside specifically for utility arrears.

For those households that are current on their utility bills, but are still in need of assistance, the LIHEAP and New Jersey Universal Service Fund (USF) program application period opened on October 1, 2021. New Jersey residents can apply online by visiting https://njdca-housing.dynamics365portals.us/en-US/dcaid-services/. To find out if they’re eligible for this assistance, people can use the completely anonymous online screening tool called DCAid by visiting nj.gov/dca/dcaid.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program that helps households at or below 60 percent of the state median income ($6,439 a month for a family of four) pay for energy costs (electric, gas, deliverable fuels and those included in rent). The Universal Service Fund (USF) program provides a monthly credit on electric and gas bills for households at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level ($8,833 a month for a family of four).

Also, the Lifeline Utility Assistance Program, which is administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, provides an annual $225 grant for electric and gas costs to seniors and the disabled. The grant appears as a credit on a utility bill or is included in a recipient’s Supplemental Security Income check. Income limits for this program are set at less than $28,769 for a single person or at $35,270 if married.

10/06/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that an additional $10.2 million in support has been allocated to the Small Business Lease Emergency Assistance Grant Program (SBL-EAGP). 

The additional funding will be used to provide grants up to $10,000 to businesses currently in the pipeline for the program.  The program will continue to assist small business owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic which also assists landlords, many of whom are also small businesses.

The SBL-EAGP, managed by the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority (NJRA) and paid for with federal CARES Act funding, supports small businesses located in the NJRA’s 68 eligible municipalities that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19.  This new allocation of funding will support those businesses that did not receive funding in Round 2 of this initiative. The program will be targeted to businesses with 5,000 square feet of leased space or less, and is requiring standard debarment and legal qualifications from applying businesses.

To date, the administration has allocated nearly $700 million for COVID-19 relief programs, in the process helping tens of thousands of businesses remain open.

09/27/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) will begin implementation of the Return and Earn program. This new initiative will provide a $500 incentive for unemployed workers reentering the workforce and receiving job training from businesses with 100 or fewer employees. 

Facilitated by NJDOL's Business Support Unit, Return and Earn will take advantage of New Jersey’s existing On-the-Job Training infrastructure to provide wage reimbursement support to New Jersey employers that hire eligible applicants with identifiable skills gaps. Employers will then be reimbursed for 50% of the wages paid for regular hours worked during the contracted employer-provided training period.

Employers can receive the wage subsidy for up to 6 months, up to the cap of $10,000 per Return and Earn employee and are limited to a total Return and Earn subsidy across all employees of $40,000.  

NJDOL is currently working on the execution of this program, including developing a streamlined online application process. The general process and eligibility criteria are as follows:  

• NJDOL will work with employers to identify prospective candidates for available positions.  
• The employer will provide substantive On-the-Job Training at their location or, depending on circumstances, utilize approved virtual training, that result in skill badges or industry-recognized credentials. 
• Eligible applicants are private and not-for-profit employers with up to 100 full-time employees. 
• Candidates must be New Jersey residents working full-time (minimum 32 hours per week). 
• Seasonal, part-time, commission-based, or 1099 positions are not eligible.

Additionally, many workers will be eligible for supportive services like childcare and transportation reimbursement, which have been barriers for many re-entering the workforce.

More information will be issued by NJDOL in the coming days. Employers can visit NJ.gov/labor/returnandearn to express interest in this program and receive application information as it becomes available.  

The Return and Earn program is being executed in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Office of Innovation, and is part of the Murphy Administration's whole-of-government approach to support to the business community and its workers.

This $500 Return and Earn incentive and On-the-Job Training subsidy will be funded by $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Additional related supportive services will be funded by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds.  

New Jersey job seekers can visit CareerServices.nj.gov for help finding gainful employment opportunities. NJDOL offers a wide variety of programs including job search help, résumé and interview guidance, networking advice, education and training, one-on-one support, and services tailored specifically to veterans, mature workers, youth workers, individuals in recovery, justice-involved individuals, and people with disabilities. These services are available telephonically, online, and via smartphone.

Also available to all New Jersey residents are free online training courses through Metrix Learning. Courses are offered in a variety of high-demand industry sectors, including information technology, business analysis, customer service, project management, and digital literacy. Courses range from basic work readiness for new workers to tailored training for high-level professionals and management, with topics such as Customer Service, Microsoft Office, Adobe, Quick Books, Analytical Skills, Data Management/Reporting, Time Management, Leadership Skills, Health & Safety, and First Aid, among many others. 

09/24/21:  New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli issued the following statement concerning CDC approval of the Pfizer booster dose --

"The action by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides for the administration of booster doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after completion of the primary series to help increase protection for the following: 

• people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot;  
• people age 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot;
• people age 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
• people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings, including healthcare workers, may receive a booster shot, based on their individual benefits and risks.

The New Jersey Department of Health is directing our vaccination partners in the state to begin administering booster doses to eligible individuals immediately. Individuals will self-identify according to the categories above and will not be required by vaccination providers to provide proof of a medical condition or a note from a medical provider in order to receive a booster dose in New Jersey.

There are over 1,600 vaccination sites across New Jersey – more than 1,000 of which offer the Pfizer vaccine – and the Department of Health continues to work to add additional sites. Many sites have walk-in availability and extended hours. To find a vaccination site and book an appointment online, visit covid19.nj.gov/finder or call the state’s Vaccine Call Center at 1-855-568-0545.

Our efforts also include homebound individuals. Individuals who received Pfizer can reach out directly to their local health department or complete the intake form available at covid19.nj.gov/homeboundvax. For assistance completing the survey by phone, please contact the call center.

People who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not yet eligible for the booster shots authorized by the federal government.

In a statement, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky said the CDC 'will also evaluate with similar urgency available data in the coming weeks to swiftly make additional recommendations for other populations or people who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.'"

FDA Fact Sheet: https://www.fda.gov/media/144413/download

For purposes of Executive Order No. 264, child care settings include:

• Any facility defined as a child care center pursuant to N.J.S.A. 30:5B-3.

For purposes of Executive Order No. 264, child care personnel include:

• All individuals employed by the covered setting, both full- and part-time, including, but not limited to, administrators, teachers, individuals providing food, custodial, and administrative support services, contractors, providers, and any other individuals performing work in covered settings whose job duties require them to make regular visits to such covered settings, including volunteers. 

Covered workers do not include individuals who visit the covered setting only to provide one-time or limited-duration repairs, services, or construction.   

All child care centers will have until November 1, 2021 to come into full compliance with the vaccine or testing requirement. At that time, if a worker has not submitted proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the worker will be required to submit to a minimum once to twice weekly testing. Regardless of whether the setting is providing workers with on-site access to testing or requiring workers to submit proof of a COVID-19 test, both antigen and molecular tests will be acceptable to fulfill the requirements of the Order. 

Workers are considered “fully vaccinated” for COVID-19 two weeks or more after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine. Individuals will only be considered fully vaccinated when they have received a COVID-19 vaccine that is currently authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization, or that are approved for use by the same. Workers for whom vaccination status is unknown or who have not provided sufficient proof of document, must be considered unvaccinated for purposes of this Order.   

This Order will not impact a child care center’s ability to impose more stringent vaccination or testing requirements on workers, including any requirement for more frequent testing, for testing of both vaccinated and unvaccinated staff, and for mandatory vaccinations without a testing alternative.

For a copy of Executive Order No. 264, click here.

09/17/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order No. 263, which provides for the expiration of extensions of Department of Environmental Protection rulemaking deadlines that were instituted in Executive Order No. 127 (2020) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Order notes the deadlines for complying with the Dirty Dirt law in light of the termination of the Public Health Emergency in June.

09/01/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) today highlighted that it has reached the milestone of disbursing more than $200 million in federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds throughout the state. More than $232 million in rental relief has been distributed to nearly 26,000 households to date as DCA’s Division of Housing and Community Resources continually works to increase the pace of distribution.

Additionally, DCA is announcing the start of the Eviction Prevention Program, which will pay rent arrears and future rent up to a total of 24 months, as well as utility assistance, for low-income, moderate-income, and middle-income households that have experienced an economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is made possible with $500 million in state funding for rental assistance and $250 million in state funding for utility assistance that was included in legislation (S-3691) Governor Murphy signed into law on August 4, 2021.

U.S. Treasury published a report on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in June in which it described DCA as a high performer in disbursing rental assistance. The report can be found at: Emergency Rental Assistance Program | U.S. Department of the Treasury. That high rating continued in the July report with DCA’s performance near the top among states in terms of overall disbursement and funds disbursed in the month of July. All states must expend 65 percent of the first tranche of ERAP funds by September 30, 2021. U.S. Treasury tracks the amount expended on a monthly basis and, in terms of percentage of funds spent, New Jersey is currently third in the nation among state programs. 

The Eviction Prevention Program will use the same application process and procedures as the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which began in March 2021 and is still accepting applications.

As established by the state law, the Eviction Prevention Program may serve renter households up to 120 percent of Area Media Income (AMI) as opposed to the federal maximum of 80 percent of AMI in the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Additionally, the Eviction Prevention Program may provide both rent arrears and future rent payments for a period up to two years with recertification every six months.

DCA will use one application for both the Eviction Prevention Program and the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. People who have pending applications with or who have received assistance through the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program do not need to reapply to be considered for the Eviction Prevention Program. For example, if someone applies for and receives the maximum 12 months of assistance through the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program but still needs help, they would be automatically considered for additional rental relief through the Eviction Prevention Program without having to apply.

DCA urges people who have had difficulty paying their rent to apply to the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program and Eviction Prevention Program. They can visit https://njdca.onlinepha.com/ to get started. Applications can be submitted online with the use of a personal computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet.

DCA is extending reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis to disabled individuals and people who have limited English proficiency. People with questions or who have difficulty accessing the internet should contact DCA’s call center at 609-490-4550 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Pre-applications may be submitted over the phone by those without internet access.

Landlords may apply for assistance on behalf of a tenant. The landlord must:

• Obtain the signature of the tenant on the application, which may be documented electronically; and
• Must provide documentation of the application to the tenant to notify the tenant that the application has been submitted.

As part of the programs, DCA is encouraging landlords to agree to a reasonable payment plan for any rent arrears and rent not covered by the rental assistance and commit to not filing for eviction for non-payment of rent during the term of the assistance.

In addition to the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program and Eviction Prevention Program, the State introduced critical eviction protections for renter households that have experienced economic hardships during the pandemic. To find out more about current eviction protections available and how to self-certify for these protections, people can visit .

The funding milestone announced today is in addition to the $91.75 million that DCA distributed to 15,000 households in the first phase of the CVERAP program last year.  

DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, and disaster recovery and mitigation.

08/23/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed Executive Order No. 253, requiring all preschool to Grade 12 school personnel to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18, 2021 or be subject to COVID-19 testing at minimum one to two times per week. This requirement will strengthen protections against the spread of COVID-19, including the highly transmissible Delta variant, to children in school settings, many of whom are under 12 years old and not yet eligible for vaccination.

Governor Murphy also announced that all State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18, 2021 or be subject to COVID-19 testing at minimum one to two times per week. State employees in certain healthcare and correctional facilities are already subject to the vaccination or testing requirement under previously issued Executive Order No. 252. Today’s announcement extends the scope to all workers of state agencies, authorities, and colleges and universities. The State will work with impacted agencies and authorities, as well as union partners, over the coming weeks to implement this requirement.

Today’s Order also clarifies that individuals seeking a medical exemption from mask wearing pursuant to certain exceptions outlined in Executive Order No. 251 for all public, private, and parochial preschool programs and elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools, will be required to produce written documentation from a medical professional to support that exemption.  Self-attestations and parental attestations are not sufficient.

For purposes of Executive Order No. 253, preschool to Grade 12 settings include:

• All public, private, and parochial preschool programs, elementary, and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools.

For purposes of Executive Order No. 253, workers are defined as:

• All individuals employed by a preschool to Grade 12 setting as defined above, both full- and part-time, including, but not limited to, administrators, teachers, educational support professionals, individuals providing food, custodial, and administrative support services;
• Substitute teachers, whether employed directly by a preschool to Grade 12 setting or otherwise contracted; and,
• Contractors, providers, and any other individuals performing work in preschool to Grade 12 settings whose job duties require them to make regular visits to such covered settings, including volunteers. 

Covered workers do not include individuals who visit the covered setting only to provide one-time or limited-duration repairs, services, or construction.   

All preschool to Grade 12 settings will have until October 18, 2021 to come into full compliance with the vaccine or testing requirement. At that time, if a worker has not submitted proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the worker will be required to submit to a minimum once to twice weekly testing. Regardless of whether the setting is providing workers with on-site access to testing or requiring workers to submit proof of a COVID-19 test, both antigen and molecular tests will be acceptable to fulfill the requirements of the Order.  

Workers are considered “fully vaccinated” for COVID-19 two weeks or more after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine. Individuals will only be considered fully vaccinated when they have received a COVID-19 vaccine that is currently authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization, or that are approved for use by the same. Workers for whom vaccination status is unknown or who have not provided sufficient proof of document, must be considered unvaccinated for purposes of this Order.   

This Order will not impact a school’s ability to impose more stringent vaccination or testing requirements on workers, including any requirement for more frequent testing, for testing of both vaccinated and unvaccinated staff, and for mandatory vaccinations without a testing alternative.

Public, private, and parochial preschool programs, elementary, and secondary school settings have access to multiple sources of funding to address costs associated with worker vaccination efforts and diagnostic testing, including three rounds of federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds and Emergency Assistance for Nonpublic Schools (EANS) within the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds. The State will continue to work closely with these pre-K to 12 settings to successfully implement the requirements of the Order.

 For a copy of Executive Order No. 253, click here.

08/06/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order 252, instituting the previously announced requirement that all workers in certain state and private health care facilities and high-risk congregate settings be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 7, 2021 or be subject to COVID-19 testing at minimum one to two times per week. This requirement aims to strengthen protection against the spread of COVID-19 to vulnerable populations throughout the state.

For purposes of this Order, health care and high-risk congregate settings include:

• Acute, pediatric, inpatient rehabilitation, and psychiatric hospitals, including specialty hospitals, and ambulatory surgical centers
• Long-term care facilities, including the state Veterans Homes
• Intermediate care facilities, including the state developmental centers
• Residential detox, short term and long term residential substance abuse disorder treatment facilities
• Clinic-based settings like ambulatory care, urgent care clinics, dialysis centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, family planning sites, and Opioid Treatment Programs
• Community-based healthcare settings including Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, and pediatric and adult medical day care programs
• Licensed home health agencies and registered health care service firms operating within the State
• State and county correctional facilities
• Secure care facilities operated by the Juvenile Justice Commission
• Licensed community residences for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Licensed community residences for adults with mental illness; and
• Certified day programs for individuals with IDD and TBI

For purposes of this Order, workers are defined as:

• Full and part-time employees
• Contractors
• Other individuals working in the covered setting, including individuals providing operational, custodial, or administrative support

Health care facilities and other settings covered by the requirement will have until September 7, 2021 for all workers to come into full compliance with the vaccine mandate. At that time, if workers in the facility/setting have not submitted proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the worker will be required to submit to a minimum once to twice weekly testing.  Regardless of whether the covered setting is providing workers with on-site access to testing or requiring workers to submit proof of a COVID-19 test, both antigen and molecular tests will be acceptable to fulfill the requirements of the Order.  

Workers are considered “fully vaccinated” for COVID-19 two weeks or more after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine.  Individuals will only be considered fully vaccinated where they have received a COVID-19 vaccine that is currently authorized for emergency use by the FDA or the WHO, or that are approved for use by the same.  Workers for whom vaccination status is unknown or who have not provided sufficient proof of document, must be considered unvaccinated for purposes of this Order.   

This Order will not impact a setting’s ability to impose more stringent vaccination or testing requirements on workers, including any requirement for more frequent testing, for testing of both vaccinated and unvaccinated staff, and for mandatory vaccinations without a testing alternative.

For a copy of Executive Order No. 252, click here.

08/06/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that all students, educators, staff, and visitors will be required to wear face masks indoors for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. The Governor signed Executive Order (EO) 251, which will mandate masking in the indoor premises of all public, private, and parochial preschool, elementary, and secondary school buildings, with limited exceptions. The EO is effective on Monday, August 9, 2021. 

In recent weeks, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Academy of Pediatrics have called for students to wear masks due to the increasing prevalence of the Delta COVID-19 variant, the ineligibility of those under 12 for vaccination, and a rise in pediatric COVID-19 cases. 

While masks will be broadly required in school buildings for the coming school year, exceptions will remain unchanged from the 2020-2021 school year, and include:

• When doing so would inhibit the individual’s health, such as when the individual is exposed to extreme heat indoors;
• When the individual has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance;
• When a student’s documented medical condition or disability, as reflected in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Educational Plan pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, precludes use of a face covering;
• When the individual is under two (2) years of age;
• When an individual is engaged in an activity that cannot be performed while wearing a mask, such as eating and drinking or playing an instrument that would be obstructed by the face covering;
• When the individual is engaged in high-intensity aerobic or anerobic activity;
• When a student is participating in high-intensity physical activities during a physical education class in a well-ventilated location and able to maintain a physical distance of six feet from all other individuals; or
• When wearing a face covering creates an unsafe condition in which to operate equipment or execute a task.

08/04/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order No. 249, which updates the moratorium on evictions established under Executive Order No. 106 (2020) to be aligned with legislation signed into law earlier today (S-3691). The updated moratorium continues to protect residents most impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Executive Order No. 249 acts to update the state’s evictions moratorium to be identical to provisions in S-3691, including the rescinding of certain provisions of Executive Order No. 106 (2020) and aligning expiration dates of other provisions in accordance with the new law.  

For a copy of Executive Order No. 249, please click here.

08/04/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed legislation today that will provide comprehensive housing eviction prevention and utility assistance for renters who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation (S-3691) appropriates an additional $500 million for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CVERAP) and $250 million for utility assistance, both programs administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The bill also mandates new eviction and foreclosure moratorium deadlines and special eviction protections for tenants who were directly impacted by the pandemic. This legislation will ensure that New Jersey’s eviction moratorium continues through August for all state residents with household incomes below 120% Area Medium Income (AMI) and through the end of the year for certain households with incomes below 80% AMI. Yesterday’s announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extending the nationwide moratorium on evictions for 60 days may provide additional protections for certain residents.

The Governor also signed legislation (A-4463) providing additional protections for individuals who were unable to pay rent during the public health emergency by mandating that court records pertaining to their non-payment during this period be kept confidential.

The eviction prevention bill will gradually phase out the State’s eviction moratorium based on individual renters’ situations while mandating special protections for those who were unable to pay their rent during the period of March 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021, or, for certain tenants, through December 31, 2021. Additionally, the CVERAP program, which was previously aimed at those who were making less than 80 percent of AMI, will expand its scope of eligible applicants by August 31, 2021, to include those making less than 120 percent of AMI.  

Additional details on S-3691:

• Ensures that eviction protection is available for tenants with household incomes below 120 percent AMI who were unable to pay their rent between the covered period of March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021, and who provide a self-certification form to their landlords and, when applicable, to the court. Tenants meeting these requirements cannot ever be evicted for any outstanding rent during the covered period. While tenants who are covered by this special protection may not be evicted, this rent is still due to landlords and landlords may pursue this rent through a money judgment.
• Provides additional eviction preventions for tenants with household incomes below 80 percent AMI, who have applied for state or local rental assistance, and who have experienced an economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tenants meeting these requirements who provide a self-certification for to their landlords and, when applicable, to the courts, are protected from eviction prior to December 31, 2021, for unpaid rent accrued from September 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. This is in addition to protection from eviction for rent accrued during the covered period as described above.
• For the special eviction protections to take effect, the tenant MUST provide the required self-certification form to their landlord and, when applicable, to the courts. 
• All New Jersey households with income less than 120 percent AMI may apply for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
• Landlords who are receiving rental assistance must waive any late fees accrued by tenants during the special protections period.
• Landlords may not report delayed rent to crediting agencies and they cannot sell the debt.
• Landlords may not disclose non-payment of rent to others and prospective landlords may not deny renting to a person who wasn’t able to pay rent during the covered period of March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021.
• The moratorium on home foreclosures ends on November 15, 2021, for all income levels. This includes landlords facing foreclosure who currently have tenants.

The new funds appropriated through S-3691 bring the total funds allocated to the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program and Eviction Prevention Program to more than $1.2 billion.

The DCA Division of Housing and Community Resources (DHCR) also announced today that it has reached the milestone of delivering more than $100 million in federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds throughout the state with nearly $131 million in rental relief having been distributed to more than 15,000 households to date. This funding milestone is in addition to the $91.75 million that DCA distributed to 15,000 households in the first phase of the CVERAP program last year.

U.S. Treasury recently published a report on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in which it describes DCA’s program as a high performer. For the month of June, DCA’s program ranked 6th among all state programs in the amount of ERAP funds expended for that month. According to the report, DCA’s program is also ranked 8th among all state programs in the total amount of ERAP funds expended to date. The report can be found at: Emergency Rental Assistance Program | U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Click here to view the signing statement for S-3691.

Click here to view the signing statement for A-4463.

08/02/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that all workers in certain state and private health care facilities and high-risk congregate settings will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be subject to COVID-19 testing at minimum one to two times per week. This requirement will help increase protection against the spread of COVID-19, including the highly transmissible Delta variant, to vulnerable populations who have been hardest hit during the pandemic.

Health care facilities and other settings covered by the requirement will have until September 7, 2021 for all employees to come into full compliance with the vaccine mandate. At that time, if workers in the facility/setting have not demonstrated that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the entity will be required to have a plan in place to begin a testing program for those workers.

This requirement will not alter any entity’s existing stated policy requiring employees to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment without a testing alternative. The Administration will work in collaboration with union and labor partners ahead of the vaccine-requirement deadline and private sector employers are encouraged to similarly work with labor partners as they implement their own vaccination and testing policies.

The State will pursue an aggressive testing cadence for settings of particular concern under its purview, including the Veteran’s Homes overseen by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs are committed to testing unvaccinated workers three times per week. Private facilities are strongly encouraged to consider instituting requirements above and beyond the baseline that will be required by the State.

Impacted state settings include:

• Ancora Psychiatric Hospital
• Ann Klein Forensic Center
• Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital
• Trenton Psychiatric Hospital
• Paramus Veterans Memorial Home
• Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home
• Vineland Veterans Memorial Home
• Developmental Centers
• University Hospital
• State correctional facilities
• Juvenile Justice Commission Facilities

Impacted private facility settings include, but are not limited to:

• Long-term care and assisted-living facilities
• County jails
• Acute-care hospitals and specialty hospitals
• Short-term and post-acute in-patient rehabs
• Licensed behavioral health facilities

Home health agencies

 07/28/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release, following yesterday’s announcement by the Centers for Disease Control regarding masking, announcing that he and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli today strongly recommended that both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents wear masks in indoor settings when there is increased risk.  

Examples of such situations include:

• Crowded indoor settings
• Indoor settings involving activities with close contact with others who may not be fully vaccinated
• Indoor settings where the vaccine status of other individuals in the setting is unknown
• Where an individual is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease.

07/21/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed legislation (S-3982) providing additional aid to small businesses as New Jersey continues to provide support to small businesses as they recover from the pandemic. The bill provides $135 million to small businesses throughout the state and will be administered by the Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) as part of its Phase IV Emergency Grant Program and NJ Community Stage Relief Grant Program.

In the Senate, the bill was sponsored by Senators Dawn Marie Addiego and Linda Greenstein. In the Assembly, the bill was sponsored by Assembly Members Gordon Johnson, Vince Mazzeo, and Andrew Zwicker. 

The bulk of the funding will be administered by the NJEDA, and will help fund all eligible Phase IV applications. To date, the EDA has allocated more than $650 million in aid to tens of thousands of small businesses across the state.  

The breakdown of the $135 million in today’s legislation is as follows:

• Microbusinesses: $55 million
• Bars and Restaurants: $15 million
• Child Care Facilities: $10 million
• For Profit Arts and Culture Organizations: $10 million
• Eligible Small Businesses and Non Profit Organizations: $45 million.

07/16/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that the county and Atlantic Health System delivered the last inoculation today at the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center, while the Morris County COVID-19 Testing facility operated with Vault Health at the County College of Morris also closed operations today.

The last vaccination was provided shortly after noon, prompting a spontaneous applause among 200 state, county, medical personnel and volunteers who worked the center until the last minute and gathered to say their final goodbyes afterward.

The percentage of residents vaccinated in Morris County has been leading the state and, at some points over the past two months, the nation as the center issued as many as 4,600 inoculations per day along with thousands of other vaccinations provided daily by smaller clinics in the county.

Likewise, the testing facility at CCM once accommodated hundreds of people each day after it opened last fall. However, while the pandemic is not yet over, the emergent need for testing and vaccinations provided through public and private partnerships has subsided.

The vaccination center opened Jan. 8 at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall in an empty Sears department store. It involved a partnership between Morris County, Atlantic Health System, the State of New Jersey, the New Jersey Army National Guard, the Medical Reserve Corps, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies. 

When the last vaccine was administered today, the Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center had issued more than 340,000 shots. More than 21,000 COVID-19 tests had been administered at the Morris County COVID-19 Testing Center at CCM since it first opened in December.

07/12/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing, along with Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Brian Bridges, the awardees of nearly $30 million in federal funding that will be distributed to New Jersey institutions of higher education to support the core priorities of the State Plan for Higher Education and address the impacts of COVID-19 on postsecondary students.

About $28.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education, through the second round of Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funding, will be awarded to 35 public and public-mission private institutions that receive state operating aid. These institutions will implement vetted best practices that increase college completion, address barriers to student success, and develop sustainable systemic reforms. In addition, more than $1 million will be awarded to 11 public institutions to combat food insecurity among students.  

Opportunity Meets Innovation Challenge Grants ($28.5 Million)

A total of 35 institutions will be receiving $28.5 million in funding to support the launch of the “Opportunity Meets Innovation Challenge,” a competitive grant program to implement best practices and develop sustainable system-wide reforms as the state builds long-term resiliency. In implementing these strategies, institutions will be focusing on students who are historically disadvantaged, including underrepresented minorities, low-income students, and working-age adults. Many of these populations were among the hardest hit by the pandemic, which resulted in declines in enrollments, challenges to student success, and unprecedented unemployment figures. Funding will help boost college completion and ensure a robust pipeline of talent is matched to workforce demands.

Institutions chose from a series of interventions reflecting the five core priority areas of the State Plan: expanding opportunities for students to gain early college exposure; improving college affordability; fostering student success; promoting safe and inclusive learning environments; and cultivating research, innovation, and talent.

Through this funding, institutions will be embarking on projects including expanding dual enrollment programs to increase access and eliminate affordability barriers for low-income students; expanding wraparound supports to help encourage student retention by addressing barriers such as food insecurity or lack of childcare; and implementing free-of-cost bridge programs serving first-generation and Pell-eligible students as they transition from high school to college and/or from virtual to in-person learning. Other initiatives include expanding student mental health services and building peer mentor programs; and increasing student success in gateway courses, particularly math, to help reduce students’ cost and ensure success in Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.  

A breakdown of the $28.5 million in OMIC grant award allocations by institution is as follows:

The number of awards were based on the quantity and quality of applications received.  

Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program (About $1 million) 

More than $1 million in funding is supporting the goals of the “Hunger-Free Campus Act,” signed by Governor Murphy in 2019 to establish a grant program to address food insecurity among students enrolled at public institutions. Funding is only available to public institutions that received “Hunger-Free Campus” designation for meeting all requirements during the 2020-21 academic year. 

Grant funding will be used to address student hunger, leverage more sustainable solutions to address basic food needs on campuses, raise awareness of currently-offered campus services, and continue building strategic partnerships at the local, state, and national levels to address food insecurity among students.

A breakdown of the Hunger-Free grant award allocations by institution is as follows:

The number of awards were based on the quantity and quality of applications received. Additional institutions may not have received funding but obtained the “Hunger-Free Campus” designation for academic year 2020-21.  

07/02/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release highlighting several aspects of legislation allowing for the termination of the Public Health Emergency effective as of July 4. On June 4, 2021, Governor Murphy signed A5820 enabling the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency that had been in place since March 9, 2020. Immediately following the signing of the legislation, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 244 (2021), ending the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Under the legislation, the majority of executive orders issued that relied on the existence of the Public Health Emergency expire as of July 4, 2021, with exceptions specified in the legislation.

Because Executive Order No. 192 (2020) is not specified in the legislation as continuing beyond July 4, 2021, masking, social distancing, and other health and safety protocols originally set forth in Executive Order No. 192 (2020) will no longer be mandatory across businesses and facilities, regardless if they are open to the public or not. Though these protocols are no longer required by the State, employers and entities overseeing worksites and other facilities are permitted to craft more restrictive policies that require masking and social distancing, and which continue the implementation of health and safety protocols.

Per Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Order, masks are required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance. Masking requirements also remain in effect in certain state-regulated settings, including child care facilities, camps, long-term care facilities, other healthcare settings, homeless shelters, and prisons. These masking requirements, which are consistent with CDC guidance, are included in Executive Order No. 242 (2021), which remains in effect under Section 1(14) of P.L.2021, c.103.

The majority of State offices open to the public, including New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission locations, continue to require masking of staff and visitors. Individuals should review setting-specific requirements in advance of arrival.

Relevant agency directives and guidance documents can be found at the links below:

Child Care Centers: https://www.nj.gov/dcf/news/COVID_Licensed_Childcare_Guidance_052621.pdf

Summer camp: https://nj.gov/health/legal/covid19/2021%20Youth%20Camp%20Standards%206-9-21%20Final.pdf

Long-term care: https://www.state.nj.us/health/legal/covid19/8-20_ExecutiveDirectiveNo20-026_LTCResumption_of_Svcs.pdf and https://www.state.nj.us/health/legal/covid19/5-12-21_Memo_StandardsProtocolsVisitorsFacilityStaff.pdf

Adult Day Health Services Facilities: https://www.state.nj.us/health/legal/covid19/EDforAdultMedicalDayCare.pdf

Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly: https://www.state.nj.us/health/legal/covid19/FINALEDPACE.pdf

Health Care Services in Office Practices: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/COVID19/Documents/DCA-AO-2021-11%20Superseding%20Office-Based%20Healthcare%20AO.pdf

Homeless shelters: https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID-19_shelter_protocols.pdf

New Jersey Department of Corrections facilities: https://njdoc.gov/pdf/OffenderPublications/210423_OutdoorVisitBinder.pdf

Division of Developmental Disabilities Guidance for Residential Providers: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/documents/covid19-residential-visitation-guidance.pdf

07/01/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed the following bills into law:

S-3584/A-4979 (Greenstein, Turner, Sacco/Mazzeo, Armato, Bergen) – Establishes immunity relating to COVID-19 spread in planned real estate developments.

S-3714/A-5691 (Madden, Gopal/Greenwald, Murphy, Verrelli) – Concerns liability of certain non-profit and governmental employers for unemployment benefits paid during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic state of emergency.

A-5898/S-3963 (Mazzeo, Armato, Mukherji/Sarlo, Oroho) – Temporarily expands summer working hours for certain minors.

 A-5906/S-3965 (Chaparro/Addiego, Oroho) – Rescinds prohibition on return of certain items purchased from retail food stores during COVID-19 state of emergency; provides that future limitations on returns occur during a declared public health emergency.

 06/28/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release stating that he, along with New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) Acting Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan and New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli, announced a series of coordinated recommendations and guidance documents to assist school districts and educators as they develop local reopening plans for the 2021-2022 school year. All public school districts in New Jersey are expected to provide full-time, in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 school year. Documents released today will be critical as districts plan for full-time instruction and continue the pathway to recovery from COVID-19. 

Today’s guidance includes health and safety recommendations that provide strategies to reduce risks to students and staff from COVID-19, while still prioritizing full-time, in-person learning; a self-assessment of district readiness to accelerate learning and to provide supportive school climates; and a compilation of specific, research-backed priorities and practices to accelerate learning. The health and safety guidance document released today replace the protocols outlined in Executive Order No. 175 and in the NJDOE’s The Road Back.

School Year 2021-2022 Health and Safety Guidance  

The guidance document details recommendations designed to provide a healthy and safe environment for students and staff during the 2021-2022 school year. These strategies are recommendations, not mandatory standards. The absence of one or more of these strategies should not prevent school facilities for opening for full-day, in-person operation. Schools are encouraged to implement as many layers as feasible while providing full-time in-person instruction. 

The strategies and procedures include, but are not limited to:

• Maintaining physical distance between students to the extent practicable. This recommendation must not prevent a school from offering fulltime in-person learning; districts should implement physical distancing only to the extent they are equipped to do so while still providing regular in-person school operations.
  • Interventions to aid with social distancing include facing desks in the same direction and avoiding group seating arrangements.
• Putting procedures in place to identify and respond to a student or staff member who becomes ill with COVID-19 symptoms.
• Maintaining close communication with local health departments to share information and resources on COVID-19 transmission, prevention, and control measures and to establish procedures for notification and response to illness. Schools should also maintain transparent and ongoing communication, as appropriate, with their staff, students, and caregivers regarding school operations and health and safety information.
   

Updated CDC guidance on masking in this setting is expected prior to the start of the 2021-2022 school year and will factor into the final recommendations from the State for masking this fall. However, barring a significant change in health metrics, school districts will be able to determine masking policies at the local level. Regardless of the district’s policy on masking, schools cannot prevent students or staff from wearing masks if they choose. 

Reopening Self-Assessment for the 2021-2022 School Year

DOE is also releasing a self-assessment tool that school districts may use to develop and implement interventions needed to successfully transition to fulltime, in-person learning. The self-assessment provides guiding questions and resources in various topics, including learning acceleration, supporting the social-emotional needs of students and educators, attendance, discipline, support for student subgroups, and districts’ financial obligations. 

Learning Acceleration Guide: A Compilation of Principles and Practices in New Jersey

Additionally, DOE is releasing a guidance document that will complement the self-assessment by providing specific research based principles and strategies to accelerate learning and prepare students for the new school year. This resource is designed not only to help recover from COVID-19, but as a long-term, comprehensive framework that anchors districts’ academic, social, and behavioral interventions to the common purpose of promoting global competitiveness for all students. 

The three documents can be found on the DOE website.

06/21/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed five bills – A5704, A5705, A5706, A5707, and A5709 – which provide additional aid to small businesses that continue to suffer from the economic effects of the pandemic. Together, the bill package provides $235 million to small businesses throughout the state, allowing the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to fulfill all eligible applications submitted during Phase IV of the EDA’s Small Business Emergency Grant Program.

In the Assembly the bills were sponsored by Assembly members Vince Mazzeo, Roy Freiman, Lisa Swain, Andrew Zwicker, John Armato, Chris Tully, Pedro Mejia, Angela McKnight, Adam Taliaferro, Nicholas Chiaravalloti, Linda Carter, Joann Downey, Yvonne Lopez, Stanley Sterley, and Eric Houghtaling. In the Senate, the bills were sponsored by Senators Dawn Marie Addiego, Vin Gopal, and Joseph Lagana.

The funding will be administered by the NJEDA, which has reopened its Phase IV grant pre-application for those businesses that missed the original deadline. To date, the EDA has distributed more than $420 million in aid to some 63,000 businesses across the state.  The breakdown of the $235 million in proposed today’s bill package is as follows:

Microbusinesses: $120 million

Bars and Restaurants: $20 million

Child Care Facilities: $10 million

Other Small Businesses and non-profits: $50 million

New Businesses and Start-Ups: $25 million

Sustain and Serve: $10 million

06/21/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he and the New Jersey CEO Council, a coalition of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) from some of the state’s largest and most widely-recognized companies, are launching the New Jersey Pay It Forward Program. This innovative program will provide interest- and fee-free loans from a revolving fund to support low‐income New Jersey career seekers participating in approved training programs. New Jersey is the first state in the country to dedicate public resources to a fund of this nature.

The Pay It Forward Program will provide zero-interest loans and grants to students who are enrolled in non-degree credential and certificate programs at approved training providers. The program will focus on helping students enrolled in short-term training programs that offer high-quality, industry-recognized credentials and certificates in high demand fields, and participants will not be required to make any repayments until they have successfully completed the training program and their income exceeds a specific level.

The NJ CEO Council arose from meetings of the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission, named by the Governor in April 2020 to advise the administration on the safe reopening of the state’s economy.  The Council is made up of the CEOs of BD, Campbell Soup Company, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Prudential Financial, PSEG, RWJBarnabas Health, Verizon, and Zoetis.

The program is a direct result of the Council’s October 2020 pledge to hire or train more than 30,000 New Jersey residents from underrepresented communities of color and other underserved communities by 2030, and their challenge to the rest of New Jersey’s corporate community to train or hire an additional 40,000 workers. In line with this commitment, CEO Council members have pledged to contribute grants to the Pay It Forward Program, and the State plans to add to this commitment with a grant of approximately $5.5 million in FY22.

To keep costs low for loan recipients, funds provided through the Pay It Forward Program will serve as a “last dollar” option, providing zero-interest loans for only the gap left over after students have exhausted all the free resources for which they are eligible.

To reinforce Governor Murphy’s priority for ensuring fair consumer protections while delivering affordable pathways to education and training, the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) will require all contractors engaged in the Pay It Forward Program to follow strong student-centric program design criteria. The zero-interest, zero-fee Pay It Forward loans will feature an income-based repayment model that calculates affordable monthly payments as a percentage of participants’ discretionary income and requires no payments when participants’ post-training income falls below a certain threshold, enabling trainees to support their families without incurring unmanageable debt. If repayment is not complete five years after the participant completes the training program, the remaining balance will be forgiven. Participants will also receive wrap-around services such as help with child-care and transportation needs as well as stipends to support their living expenses, and they will not be required to repay these non-tuition costs.

This is all possible because the Pay It Forward Program is not designed to turn a profit. Unlike similar private funding mechanisms, the expenses that are repaid by trainees receiving Pay It Forward Loans will recycle back to support the next round of training for their fellow New Jersey residents. Hence the name “Pay It Forward.”

Eligible recipients of Pay It Forward Loans will include New Jersey residents who are receiving public assistance, people who have been unemployed long-term, individuals who were formerly incarcerated, workers who have been temporarily or permanently laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and self-employed individuals who became unemployed or underemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pay It Forward Loans will only be used for State-approved training programs that undergo a rigorous screening process and demonstrate a strong track record of successfully preparing students for in-demand career opportunities. The review and selection of high-quality training providers will build on the State’s participation as an inaugural grantee of the Data for the American Dream initiative, led by the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development, which is developing an interactive website containing smart disclosure tools designed to help career seekers make informed decisions about training.

Earlier this month, HESAA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Program Manager to establish and administer the Pay It Forward Fund, which will be seeded with grants from the State and outside donors. Proposals are due Thursday, July 1, 2021. The RFP can be downloaded at https://www.hesaa.org/Pages/Procurements.aspx

The Pay It Forward Program builds on Governor Murphy’s commitment to a stronger, fairer economy and his administration’s groundbreaking investments to make postsecondary education and training more affordable and accessible. These efforts include the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG) program, which allows qualified students to attend any New Jersey community college without tuition or educational fees, as well as the Governor’s proposed $50 million budget allocation for the Garden State Guarantee (GSG) initiative to offer up to two years of free tuition at New Jersey’s four-year public colleges and universities.

06/18/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the state has hit its ambitious goal of fully vaccinating 4.7 million individuals who live, work, or study in New Jersey nearly two weeks before its original target date of June 30^th. 

In a second press release, the Governor, along with Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, announced that the new Department of Health building in Downtown Trenton will be named after Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli, in honor of her past and ongoing service to the people of New Jersey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the passage of enabling legislation in the Assembly and Senate, the new Department of Health building will be renamed the “Judith M. Persichilli Building”. The state-of-the art-facility, completed in late 2020, houses Department of Health workspace and offices in Downtown Trenton.

Commissioner Judy Persichilli began serving as Acting Commissioner of Health on August 5, 2019. She was confirmed by the State Senate on January 9, 2020.

Prior to leading the department, Commissioner Persichilli served as the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of University Hospital in Newark. Commissioner Persichilli was president emerita of CHE Trinity Health, the health ministry formed in May 2013 by the consolidation of Catholic Health East and Trinity Health of Livonia, MI. She previously served as the interim president and chief executive officer (CEO) of CHE Trinity Health. Prior to this appointment, Commissioner Persichilli was President and CEO of Catholic Health East.

Commissioner Persichilli joined CHE in 2003 as the Executive Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Division. She was promoted to Executive Vice President of acute care for the system in 2008 and then to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in December 2009 before assuming the role of CEO. Prior to joining CHE’s System Office, she served for eight years as CEO at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton.

Persichilli received her nursing diploma from the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing summa cum laude from Rutgers University, and a Master of Arts in Administration summa cum laude from Rider University. She also received an honorary Doctor of Health degree from Georgian Court University in 2009. In May 2011, Commissioner Persichilli received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.

06/14/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release that he signed Executive Order No. 246, which ends the moratorium on utility shutoffs as of July 1, 2021, that was put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Executive Order also establishes a sixth-month grace period in which strong customer protections that were put in place through the moratorium will continue through December 31, 2021, giving customers facing utility arrearages the opportunity to sign up for payment assistance plans. The grace period also enables the state to consider how it could leverage federal funding to expand eligibility criteria so more customers could apply for assistance plans. During the grace period, no residential customers will face disconnection of their gas, electric, or water, services before the end of the grace period on December 31. Additionally, households with residential internet service accounts currently in effect that are being used by school-aged children for educational purposes will also be protected from disconnection. The grace period will terminate on December 31, 2021, for all customers. The annual Winter Termination program will remain in effect and preclude electric or gas shutoffs for certain households, including some seniors and low-income families, through March 15, 2022.

06/11/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed A4004 wGR/S2410, which would create the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic Task Force on Racial and Health Disparities. Last month, the bill was returned to the Legislature with recommendations to strengthen the task force by adding additional members, including representation from the Division on Civil Rights and the Division of Consumer Affairs, both in the Department of Law and Public Safety. The Legislature concurred with the Governor’s conditional veto. The bill was sponsored by Senators Cunningham and Pou and Assemblywomen Sumter, Jimenez, and Carter.

06/09/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that the county and Atlantic Health System (AHS) will be phasing down operations at the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall over the next two months as New Jersey closes in on its goal of vaccinating 70 percent of adults in response to the pandemic. 

Governor Phil Murphy announced last week the pending closure of all six “mega-sites” the state helped to open around New Jersey, including the one operated by Morris County and AHS in Rockaway Township. Operations there began Jan. 8, 2021, and the site has provided two-dose COVID-19 vaccines.

Please note: Details on the phase-out of operations as the Morris County facility are much different than what was announced last week.

The Morris County vaccination center will remain open until July 16, 2021, and it will continue to provide second doses to anyone who received their first vaccination at the facility on or prior to June 23, 2021. Anyone who receives their first dose at the Morris County site after June 23, 2021 will have their second dose scheduled and provided at another AHS facility.

Morris County, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was the first county in New Jersey to reach the state goal of fully vaccinating 70 percent of its adult population. Residents received their vaccinations in various locations, with a large portion utilizing the Morris County center.

Other regional centers that will be closing are located in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Gloucester and Middlesex counties.

06/07/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that rental assistance funds are still available in Morris County and the State of New Jersey to people from low- and moderate-income households that had a substantial reduction in income, have qualified for unemployment benefits, incurred significant costs or experienced a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Morris County received more than $14.6 million to provide rental assistance to county residents who qualify for the aid, and it has been available to individuals and families who apply by going to: https://njdca.onlinepha.com/  The federal Emergency Rental Assistance funding is designed to help avert a housing crisis for tenants in critical need of such support. The funding also will bring needed relief to landlords, who have been challenged by the financial impacts of the pandemic as well.

Morris County has partnered with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), as have other counties, to utilize the state’s program vendor and eliminate confusion for those in need by using one on-line portal to access the application.

The umbrella name for the assistance is the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Phase II or CVERAP PHASE II. The first phase was launched in July 2020, using $91.75 million in federal funds, which assisted about 15,000 New Jersey residents.  New Jersey has been provided $353 million for the second phase.

06/04/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that with all COVID-19 capacity restrictions on businesses and gathering limits having been lifted due to the continued improvement of NJ's public health metrics, he signed A5820/S3866 and issued Executive Order 244, which ends the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020. Under the legislation, the majority of executive orders issued pursuant to the Public Health Emergency will expire 30 days from today.

The legislation, which was negotiated with legislative leadership and sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, allows for the termination of the Public Health Emergency while also allowing the Administration to retain the tools necessary to manage the ongoing threat posed by the pandemic. Specifically, the Administration is authorized to issue orders, directives, and waivers under the authority in the Emergency Health Powers Act that are related to vaccination efforts; testing; health resource and personnel allocation; data collection, retention, sharing, and access; coordination of local health departments; and implementation of any CDC recommendations to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. This authority lasts until January 11, 2022, and can be extended for 90 days with the passage of a concurrent resolution by the Legislature.

“Today’s lifting of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is a clear and decisive step on the path toward normalcy,” said Governor Murphy. “The past 15 months have been a challenge, and I thank every New Jerseyan who stayed home, masked up, took precautions to keep this virus in check, and got vaccinated for allowing us to get to this point. I also thank the Senate President and the Speaker for working with us to responsibly end the Public Health Emergency and meet the challenges ahead.” 

The legislation keeps the following 14 executive orders in place until January 1, 2022, though they can be modified or rescinded prior to that date by the Governor:

• Executive Order No. 106 
• Executive Order No. 111 
• Executive Order No. 112 
• Executive Order No. 123 
• Executive Order No. 127 
• Executive Order No. 150 
• Executive Order No. 159 
• Executive Order No. 170 
• Executive Order No. 178 
• Executive Order No. 207 
• Executive Order No. 229 
• Executive Order No. 233
• Executive Order No. 237 
• Executive Order No. 242

Further, any administrative orders, directives, or waivers that relied on the existence of the public health emergency, including Department of Health orders that govern vaccinations and testing, are extended until January 11, 2022. The Governor is authorized to seek a further 90-day extension of such orders, directives, or waivers, which can be granted by a concurrent resolution passed by the Legislature.

The legislation also states that while the State of Emergency declared in Executive Order No. 103 shall remain in effect, the previous seven-day requirement for Open Public Records Act (OPRA) responses will be restored for records unrelated to the COVID-19 response. Additionally, civil and criminal immunity given to health care professionals and facilities, including long-term care facilities, and existing waivers of regulations involving staffing ratios, overtime, shifts, and vacation time will expire on September 1, 2021. Civil immunity for health care professionals shall continue beyond September 1, 2021 only for individuals specifically engaged in vaccinations or testing related to COVID-19. 

For a copy of Executive Order No. 244, click here.

06/03/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing a statement from the Governor, Senate President Sweeny, and Assembly Speaker Coughlin on the passage of legislation enabling the end of the declared COVID-19 Public Health Emergency:

“New Jerseyans have proven their resilience over the past 15 months as our state has fought the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, we take a substantial step toward restoring normalcy to our state and to the lives of those who call New Jersey home. 

Ending New Jersey’s COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is one of the most significant steps we have taken in our recovery efforts to date. With our state’s public health metrics continuing to trend decisively in the right direction, we are confident that now is the right time to take this action, particularly as the final limits on gatherings are lifted tomorrow. With passage of this bill today and its signing tomorrow, followed by the Governor's signing of an executive order terminating the Public Health Emergency, we will move closer to normal than at any time since March 2020.

While we celebrate this milestone in our fight against COVID-19, we also acknowledge that the fight against this virus is not over. This legislation ensures that the Administration has the tools and flexibility necessary to continue vaccination and testing efforts, ensure protections for vulnerable populations, and oversee and coordinate the health care system to address this ongoing threat.  

By working together, we are facing the challenges ahead and meeting the needs of the over nine million residents who have bravely battled the worst pandemic in a century together.”     

06/03/21: Morris County issued a press release announcing that federal data places Morris County at the top of all full COVID-19 vaccination categories in NJ. Morris County is the first county in New Jersey to fully vaccinate 70 percent of its adult residents, 18 years and older, meeting a goal set by Governor Phil Murphy a full month ahead of schedule, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC data indicates COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Morris County hit the State of New Jersey’s goal yesterday, June 2, and that Morris County is leading the state in fully vaccinating residents in all age categories outlined in the CDC data. 

“By achieving 70 percent of adults fully vaccinated one month ahead of the Governor’s goal, Morris County is leading the way in reopening schools, businesses, summer camps and, as was recently announced by Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, live performances,” said Commissioner John Krickus of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners.

The CDC data shows 64.6 percent of Morris County residents over 12 years old are fully vaccinated, and that 82.7 percent of residents who are 65 years and older are fully vaccinated. Cape May also has 82.7 percent of residents who are 65 years and older fully vaccinated. Morris County has the highest total of its population fully vaccinated at 56.3 percent.

06/01/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Administrative Order 2021-2 rescinding Administrative Order 2020-10, which had prohibited the provision of in-home personal care services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Division of Consumer Affairs also recently issued an Administrative Order to clarify that in-home massage and body work services that were permissible before the pandemic can resume, in addition to relaxing other requirements for businesses that provide personal care services.

The order takes effect immediately. A copy of the Administrative Order can be found here.

05/28/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the “Shots at the Shore” vaccination program to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations over Memorial Day Weekend. The program, a partnership between federal, state, county, and local governments, as well as the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of Central Jersey Community Health Center and Walmart, will provide COVID-19 vaccines to those visiting Monmouth County beaches on Saturday, May 29, and Sunday, May 30. The “Shots at the Shore” vaccination program will have locations at the Grande Arcade on the boardwalk in Asbury Park, the Gateway National Recreational Area in Sandy Hook, and the gazebo at Pier Village in Long Branch. 

Individuals will have their choice of one of the three COVID-19 vaccines. The Pfizer vaccine will be distributed by Walmart pharmacists to individuals 12 years of age or older. Those who receive their first shot on the Shore will be able to receive their second shot within 21 days at any Walmart Pharmacy location in New Jersey. Additionally, nurses from the VNA of Central Jersey Community Health Center will administer either the Johnson & Johnson or Moderna vaccine to individuals ages 18 and older. Individuals who receive the Moderna vaccine will be able to schedule their second shot at any site in New Jersey administering that vaccine. 

The Asbury Park vaccination site, hosted by Madison Marquette, will operate in the Grand Arcade from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. At Sandy Hook, the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be administered in a drive-through tent provided by the New Jersey EMS Task Force in parking lot E from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. The Sandy Hook site will be hosted by the National Park Service with logistical support provided by U.S. Coast Guard Station-Sandy Hook and the New Jersey EMS Task Force. The Long Branch vaccination site, hosted by the City of Long Branch and the Long Branch Police Department, will operate in Pier Village on the boardwalk under the gazebo on Saturday only from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Monmouth County Board of Commissioners will provide administrative support and promotion for all locations. The New Jersey EMS Task Force will provide logistical support for Long Branch and Asbury Park. Vaccines are provided by the New Jersey Department of Health.

05/27/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the release of a report on New Jersey’s response to the opioid overdose epidemic during the COVID-19 public health emergency in 2020. The report details the overdose mitigation strategies implemented over the course of Governor Murphy’s administration that contributed to the resiliency demonstrated during the convergence the opioid crisis and the pandemic. Governor Murphy also announced a new public data dashboard from the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner that will provide public health partners and law enforcement agencies with near real-time data regarding suspected-drug related deaths, enhancing their ability to rapidly address potential threats to the community. 

Given the augmented risk for overdoses during the pandemic, New Jersey anticipated a substantial increase in annual drug-related deaths last year. Compared to 2019, New Jersey saw a slight increase in drug-related deaths, but did not see the anticipated dramatic surge of deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic experienced in many states across the country. New Jersey lost 3,046 lives to suspected drug-related deaths in 2020, compared to 3,021 suspected drug-related deaths in 2019. The 2019 cases have now been confirmed, the Governor announced, to be 2,914 lives lost to drug-related deaths. 

New Jersey, was able to mitigate a drastic annual increase in drug-related deaths due to the foundation set by the Murphy Administration to end the overdose epidemic, which includes a comprehensive, data-driven collaboration across several state departments. Governor Murphy’s comprehensive approach includes increasing access to treatment, especially medication-assisted treatment, harm reduction, and prevention programs; enhancing recovery supports, such as peer-recovery specialist programs; implementing robust law enforcement efforts to stem the supply of illicit drugs, such as initiatives to divert unused prescription drugs; and strengthening data-driven work and infrastructure. 

To view the Interagency Opioid Working Group’s 2020 opioid report, click here.

To view the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner’s Public Data Dashboard, click here. 

To view the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner’s Public Data Dashboard, click here. 

05/26/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release that he signed Executive Order 243, which rescinds the requirement in Executive Order No. 107 that businesses and non-profits accommodate telework arrangements for their workforce to the maximum extent practicable and reduce their on-site staff to the minimal number necessary for their operations.  Employers bringing employees back to the physical worksite must continue to follow all applicable portions of Executive Order No. 192, including notifying employees of on-site exposure and performing health screenings of employees entering the worksite. 

The Order further permits employers in indoor worksites that are closed to the public to allow employees who can verify that they are vaccinated the ability to forego wearing a mask and social distancing.  Employers retain the ability to issue more restrictive policies on masking and social distancing.  Employers shall not restrict individuals from wearing masks and shall not penalize or retaliate against individuals who choose to wear a mask.

Executive Order No. 243 takes effect on Friday, June 4th.

05/24/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release that he signed Executive Order 242, which lifts major COVID-19 restrictions and moving forward with the state’s most significant reopening steps to date. Effective on Friday, May 28, the indoor mask mandate in public spaces will be lifted, as well as the six-foot social distancing requirement in both indoor and outdoor spaces, the prohibition on dance floors at bars and restaurants, and the prohibition on ordering and eating/drinking while standing at bars and restaurants. Additionally, effective Friday, June 4, indoor gathering and capacity limits will be lifted.  

Over the last two weeks, key COVID-19 benchmarks have been achieved across New Jersey, including a dramatic increase in vaccinations, and significant decreases in new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, spot positivity rates, and rates of transmission, solidifying the foundation for the state’s sweeping reopening steps. Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, individuals who are not fully vaccinated -- defined as two weeks after receiving the second shot of a two-dose vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccination (Johnson & Johnson) – are strongly encouraged to continue masking and social distancing.   

The following changes will go into effect on Friday, May 28:

• Lifting the mask mandate in indoor public spaces. 
  • Businesses and entities overseeing indoor spaces will continue to have the ability to require masking for employees, customers, and/or guests. 
  • Per CDC guidance, masks will continue to be required in health care settings, including long-term care facilities and office-based settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation, as well as transportation hubs such as airports and stations.
  • Additionally, also per CDC guidance, child care centers and facilities, youth summer camps, and public, private, and parochial preschool program premises and elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools, are not affected by this announcement and continue to be governed by existing requirements. 
  • Indoor worksites that are not open to the public remain governed by existing health and safety protocols that employers must follow.
  • Masks will continue to be required in public-facing state offices, such as Motor Vehicle Commission agencies.
• Lifting the six-foot social distancing requirement. 
  • The requirement will be lifted in businesses, including retail stores, personal care services, gyms, recreational and entertainment businesses, and casinos, and indoor gatherings, including religious services, political activities, weddings, funerals, memorial services, commercial gatherings, catered events, sports competitions, and performances.
  • Businesses and entities overseeing indoor spaces can continue to require social distancing should they choose.
• Lifting prohibition on dance floors at bars and restaurants. The prohibition on ordering and eating/drinking while standing at bars and restaurants will also be lifted.

The following changes will go into effect Friday, June 4:

• Removing the general indoor gathering limit, which is currently at 50 people.
• Removing the indoor gathering limit for political gatherings, weddings, funerals, memorial services, performances, and other catered and commercial events, which is currently at 250 people.
• Removing 30 percent capacity limitation for indoor large venues with a fixed-seating capacity over 1,000. 

05/21/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that fourteen houses of worship will be hosting a “Grateful for the Shot” COVID-19 vaccination site this weekend, May 21, 22, and 23, to reduce vaccine hesitancy and ramp up vaccination efforts across New Jersey. In partnership with the New Jersey Governor’s Office, the New Jersey First Lady’s Office, the New Jersey Department of Health, the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund, and New Jersey faith leaders, the “Grateful for the Shot” initiative brings vaccinations to congregations in targeted communities and municipalities over the next several weekends.

Each event will have a “block party” feel in a trusted and community atmosphere with a mix of food, music, and prizes in order to break down barriers to accessing the vaccine for individuals and families. “Grateful for the Shot” is part of “Operation Jersey Summer”, the statewide public awareness campaign aimed at vaccinating all eligible individuals who live, work, or study in New Jersey against COVID-19. The community events at houses of worship are funded by the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund.

Friday, May 21, 2021
Essex County
New Hope Baptist Church of East Orange
144 Norman St, East Orange, NJ 07017
Time: 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 22, 2021
Burlington County
Church of the Good Shepherd
110 Buckingham Dr, Willingboro, NJ 08046
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 23, 2021
Bergen County
Shiloh A.M.E. Zion Church
129 William St., Englewood, NJ 07631
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Camden County
New Beginnings/CEA/PBCIP
Farnham Park, 1648 Baird Blvd., Camden, NJ 08103
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Cumberland County
Shiloh Baptist Church
1837 Northeast Boulevard, Vineland, NJ 08360
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Essex County
Dominion Hope of Glory
337 Avon Avenue, Newark, NJ 07108
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Church
12 State Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Gloucester County
Victory In Christ Christian Center
1055 Delsea Drive, Westville, NJ 08093
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Hudson County
Wallace Temple AME Zion Church
26 West 16th Street Bayonne, NJ 07002
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Ocean County
All Saints Episcopal Church
La Casa De La Tia Restaurant
202 Main Street, Lakewood, NJ
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Passaic County
Mt Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church and Bethel AME Church Passaic
163 Autumn Street, Passaic, NJ 07055
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Somerset County
The United Methodist Church of Bound Brook
150 West Union Ave., Bound Brook, NJ 08805
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Union County
Hollywood Blue Ribbon & African Diaspora for Justice
256 Hollywood Ave. Hillside, NJ 07205
Time: 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
New Zion Baptist Church
800-822 Flora Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Time: 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.

05/19/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing several new vaccination incentives as part of “Operation Jersey Summer”, the statewide public awareness campaign aimed at vaccinating all eligible individuals who live, work, or study in New Jersey against COVID-19. The new incentives include a State Parks Vax Pass, providing free access to New Jersey’s 51 state parks and facilities including Island Beach State Park; a free glass of wine at participating New Jersey wineries; and dinner with Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy. 

Vax and Visit with the State Parks Vax Pass

Beginning Thursday, May 27, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will offer a free State Parks Vax Pass under the new “Vax and Visit” campaign to all New Jersey residents who receive at least one dose of their COVID-19 vaccination by July 4, 2021. The State Parks Vax Pass, which will be of the same value as the Annual State Parks Pass, will allow free access to all of New Jersey’s 51 State parks and forest facilities that charge daily walk-in or parking fees, from Thursday, May 27 through December 31, 2021. New Jersey residents who have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to request a State Parks Vax Pass upon entry at any one of the state’s 51 parks, including Island Beach State Park. The Department of Environmental Protection will also provide refunds to residents who already purchased Annual State Park Passes this year and have been fully vaccinated.

Uncork the Vaccination

In partnership with the Garden State Wine Growers Association, New Jerseyans ages 21 and over who receive their first COVID-19 vaccination in the month of May can visit one of New Jersey’s participating wineries and receive a free glass of wine. Participating wineries include Amalthea Cellars, Auburn Road Vineyards, Bellview Winery, DiMatteo Vineyards, Salem Oak Vineyards, Terhune Orchards, Tomasello Winery, Villa Milagro Vineyards in Pohatcong, and White Horse Winery.

Dinner with the Governor and First Lady

Beginning May 19, individuals age 18 or older who have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination in New Jersey since the roll-out of the state’s program in December, can enter to win dinner along with a guest with Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy. The winner will have the choice between dinner at Drumthwacket, the official Governor’s residence located in Princeton, or the Governor’s residence in Island Beach State Park. Entries must be submitted by May 31. To enter, visit covid19.nj.gov.

05/19/21: Montville VFW Post 5481 and Montville Township announced a special memorial honoring six Montville VFW combat veterans who passed away during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and a tribute to women in the military marked by an honored local active-duty military guest speaker. The event will take place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, at 11:00 am at the Tank Monument behind the VFW Post Headquarters at Community Park (132 Changebridge Road). All are welcome to attend. The event can also be viewed virtually at: www.tinyurl.com/VFWMemorial2021.

05/17/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order No. 241 eliminating the requirement of masks in outdoor public spaces, which was established under Executive Order No. 163 (2020).  The Order reaffirms the masking requirement in indoor public spaces and workplaces, but clarifies that individuals at small gatherings in private residences are not required to wear masks indoors. 

The order notes that outdoor public spaces do not include child care centers, other child care facilities, youth summer camps, and public, private, and parochial preschool program premises, and elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools. Current recommendations and requirements regarding masking in those settings will remain in effect.  

Additionally, any masking requirements for outdoor spaces in healthcare settings and at congregate facilities, such as long-term care facilities and State correctional facilities, will remain in place.

For the full text of Executive Order No. 241, please click here.

05/17/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the lifting of New Jersey’s travel advisory, which outlined quarantine and testing recommendations for residents and visitors to the state following interstate travel. Effective immediately, the travel advisory is no longer in place for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

Residents and travelers are encouraged to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) protocols regarding quarantine and testing following domestic travel.  Travelers should remain up to date regarding local travel recommendations and requirements applicable to their destination. International travel is still governed by the CDC’s protocols and guidance.

International Travel
The CDC is requiring all air passengers entering the United States from a foreign country to provide proof of a negative test for COVID-19 or of recovery from COVID-19. Travelers are required to get tested no more than three days before their flight to the U.S. departs and show their negative result to the airline before boarding or be prepared to show documentation of recovery (proof or a recent positive viral test and a letter from a healthcare provider or public health official stating that they were cleared to travel). For more information, visit the CDC website.

In addition, with specific exceptions, foreign nationals who have been in any of the following countries during the past 14 days may NOT enter the United States: China, Iran, countries in the European Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Brazil, and South Africa. For more details and a full list of exceptions, refer to the CDC's update on travelers prohibited from entry.

International travelers should also refer to guidance published by the CDC and check the CDC's COVID-19 travel recommendations by destination. Many countries are categorized as a Level-4 high COVID-19 risk, and the CDC recommends avoiding all travel to these countries. Visit the CDC for information on testing and international travel.

05/17/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that upon the conclusion of this school year, portions of Executive Order 175 allowing remote learning will be rescinded, meaning that schools will be required to provide full-day, in-person instruction, as they were prior to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. 

While school districts will be required to fully open buildings beginning Fall 2021, remote learning will be permitted in the event that there is a localized outbreak or other emergency. If buildings are open for in-person instruction, parents or guardians will not be able to opt-out of in-person instruction.

Summer camps and summer educational programming for Summer 2021 will not be impacted and will still be required to follow relevant health and safety protocols.

05/14/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he and his Administration have begun working with Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Coughlin on legislation that will end the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency in place since March 2020, while also ensuring that the Administration retains necessary tools to manage the ongoing threat to public health, as well as recovery and vaccination efforts.  

The Public Health Emergency was initially declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103. Today, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 240, which extends that Public Health Emergency for another 30-day period, ending in mid-June. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed. If legislation is finalized ahead of the renewal date, the Public Health Emergency extended today will be allowed to expire.

05/13/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall began vaccinating children aged 12 and up this morning, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) issued by the federal Food and Drug Administration allowing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for use on children younger than 16 years old.

While expanding the vaccine use, anyone under 18 years old will still be required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive the vaccine. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have only been approved for those 18 years and older.

Vaccinations at the Rockaway Township facility will be provided to any New Jersey resident, and walk-ups at the facility will be accepted from 8:00am to 3:00pm, Tuesday through Saturday. The hours have been extended today only to 7:45 p.m. for walk-ups.

Starting this weekend, the Center will be closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Appointments also are available and offer a wider range of hours.

Get an appointment at the Morris County Regional Vaccination Center.

If you or someone you know are homebound, you can contact the the Morris County Homebound COVID-19 Vaccination Program at 973-326-7828.

05/13/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order No. 239, moving forward with the COVID-19 restriction easing announced last week. The easing includes the complete removal of the outdoor gathering limit; an increased indoor gathering limit; the complete removal of all percentage-based capacity limits for indoor businesses, outdoor businesses, and houses of worship,; and an increased indoor large venue capacity. Additionally, the prohibition on indoor interstate youth sports competitions is being lifted. 

The following changes will take effect on Wednesday, May 19^th:

• Complete removal of outdoor gathering limit– Attendees at outdoor gatherings will still be required to remain six feet apart from other groups and existing requirements regarding mask wearing will remain in place. 
• Indoor gathering limit– The limit for indoor gatherings in private residences will be raised to 50 persons, up from 25 persons. Commercial gatherings and gatherings organized and operated by an overseeing entity (e.g. conferences, expositions, meetings of fraternal organizations, job trainings, events hosted by senior centers) in public spaces will be subject to the 250-person indoor gathering limit that applies to indoor catered events, as long as all attendees can remain six feet apart.
• Complete removal of all percentage capacity limits for indoor and outdoor businesses, and houses of worship– The following businesses will no longer be subject to any percentage-based capacity restriction, but will instead be guided by the rule regarding six feet of distance between persons or groups of persons.  This would include:
  • Indoor dining – Currently, indoor dining is limited to 50% capacity. This change will remove the 50% limitation but maintain the six feet of required distance between tables, except that tables will still be permitted to be closer than six feet where restaurants use partitions that comply with DOH requirements. Additionally, the prohibition on tables of more than 8 persons will be lifted. As a reminder, outdoor dining has never been bound to a capacity percentage. 
  • Houses of worship and religious services, which are currently at 50% capacity.
  • Retail businesses, which are currently at 50% indoor capacity.
  • Gyms, which are currently at 50% indoor capacity.
  • Personal care services, which are currently at 50% indoor capacity.
  • Indoor amusement and recreation businesses and outdoor amusement and water parks, which are currently limited to 50% capacity.
  • Indoor and outdoor pools, which are both currently limited to 50% capacity.
  • Indoor catered events, funerals, memorial services, performances, and political activities – These events are currently limited to 50% of a room’s capacity, up to 250 individuals.  Beginning on Wednesday, May 19, the 250-person limit will remain in place, but there will be no percentage-based capacity restrictions. Individuals and groups will need to remain six feet apart. 
• Indoor large venue capacity – The capacity limit for indoor large venues will increase from 20% to 30% and the definition of a large venue would shift from those with 2,500 fixed seats to those with 1,000 fixed seats. The requirement that individuals or groups of individuals that purchase tickets together remain six feet apart will remain in place.
• Removal of prohibition on indoor interstate youth sports competitions – Athletes, staff, and spectators will still need to abide by all existing health and safety requirements.

For the full text of Executive Order No. 239, click here.

05/07/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing an additional $235 million in funding for small business relief and $40 million in funding for an excluded residents fund to assist individuals negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. The new small business funding, proposed by the Governor’s Office and agreed upon by legislative leadership, will fulfill existing Phase IV small business grant requests made to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), while the new direct cash assistance program will help New Jerseyans in need who have been excluded from previous rounds of COVID relief. Additionally, as part of the small business relief agreement between the Governor’s Office and Legislative leadership, EDA will extend Phase IV and begin accepting applications from businesses that missed the previous small business relief program deadlines.

Small Business Relief
To assist small businesses, the Governor will work with the Legislature to enact an additional $235 million in State funds for various small business relief programs administered by the EDA. This funding will fulfill all eligible pending EDA Phase IV small business grant requests. EDA will begin accepting applications for the extended Phase IV in the near future.

In April, Governor Murphy signed five bills allocating $100 million in federal COVID relief funds for small businesses, including microbusinesses, bars and restaurants, arts organizations, and child care facilities.

To date, the EDA has distributed more than $250 million in aid to some 55,000 businesses across the state. The breakdown of the $235 million in proposed small business funding is as follows:

Microbusinesses: $120 million
Bars and Restaurants: $20 million
Child Care Facilities: $10 million
New Businesses and Start-Ups: $25 million
Sustain and Serve: $10 million
Other Small Businesses and non-profits: $50 million

Excluded New Jerseyans Fund
Governor Murphy will also allocate $40 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) funds for New Jerseyans who have previously been ineligible for federal assistance, including ITIN holders and others previously excluded from COVID relief assistance such as federal stimulus checks or unemployment insurance.

The Excluded New Jerseyans Fund will provide a one-time cash assistance benefit of up to $2,000 to households with incomes up to $55,000 that can demonstrate they have suffered economic hardship due to COVID-19.

The program will begin accepting applications in the coming months.

05/06/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing its Homebound COVID-19 Vaccination Program has reached more than half of the 800 residents targeted in a special outreach effort since April to find, contact and inoculate people who may not be able to leave their homes.

The Morris County Homebound COVID-19 Vaccination Program is dependent on the J&J single-shot, vaccine. The effort to reach homebound people stalled when questions arose last month on the safety of the vaccine, but the program resumed last week when federal authorities cleared the continued use of J&J.

The program is working through its target list, which includes the names of people identified through public assistance organizations.  And, it wants the public to help identify anyone else who is homebound who may need a vaccination.

Contact information is below:

The Morris County Aging & Disability Resource Connection: 973 285 6848

The Morris County Homebound COVID-19 Vaccination Program: 973 326 7828

05/05/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he conditionally vetoed A4004/S2410, which would create the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic Task Force on Racial and Health Disparities. Governor Murphy returned the bill to the Legislature with recommendations to add additional members to the task force, including representation from the Division on Civil Rights and the Division of Consumer Affairs, both in the Department of Law and Public Safety.

A copy of the Governor’s conditional veto may be found here.

05/03/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing an additional easing of restrictions, including a removal of all percentage capacity limits for indoor and outdoor businesses, a lifting of the prohibition on indoor bar seating, and an end to the outdoor gathering limit. As detailed below, some changes will take effect on Friday, May 7, with others taking effect on Wednesday, May 19, in coordination with both New York and Connecticut.

Today, Governor Murphy will sign an executive order that makes the following changes effective Friday, May 7 (some of which were previously scheduled to take effect on Monday, May 10):

• Outdoor gatherings limit – The limit will increase to 500 persons, up from 200.
• Large venue outdoor capacity – The maximum capacity allowed will increase to 50% for venues with 1,000 fixed seats or more, as long as six feet of distance is maintained, up from 30% capacity for venues with a 2,500 fixed seating capacity.  
• Increase in maximum capacity for certain indoor activities – Currently, indoor catered events are limited to 35% of the capacity of the room in which they are held, up to 150 persons. The capacity limit for those events, including proms, will be raised to 50%, up to a maximum of 250 individuals. The  capacity limit for indoor political events, weddings, funerals, memorial services, and performances will also increase accordingly.
• Dance floors at private catered events – Dance floors would be permitted to open at such events, with masking and social distancing requirements in place. Dance floors would remain closed at bars and other related businesses, such as nightclubs.
• Permit carnivals and fairs to operate at the amusement business capacity – Currently, these events may be treated like a gathering, and thus subject to more restrictive limits. Carnivals and fairs may now operate at the same capacity as large outdoor amusements.
• Bar seating– The prohibition on indoor bar seating will be lifted, with final guidance on necessary safeguards, such as spacing and the use of plexiglass, to follow from the New Jersey Department of Health.
• Buffets – The restriction on self-service food, like buffets, at restaurants, would be lifted, but individuals will still be required to remain seated while eating and drinking.

Additionally, barring an unexpected uptick in COVID-19 numbers, the following changes will go into effect on Wednesday, May 19, largely in line with actions taking place in the neighboring states of New York and Connecticut:

• Complete removal of outdoor gathering limit– Attendees at outdoor gatherings will still be required to remain six feet apart from other groups. 
• Indoor gathering limit– The general indoor gathering limit will be raised to 50 persons, up from 25 persons. The limit applies to general social gatherings, such as birthday parties and events in people’s homes. Commercial gatherings and gatherings organized and operated by an overseeing entity (e.g. conferences, expositions, meetings of fraternal organizations, job trainings, events hosted by senior centers) will be subject to the 250-person indoor gathering limit that applies to indoor catered events, as long as all attendees can remain six feet apart.
• Complete removal of all percentage capacity limits for indoor and outdoor businesses, and houses of worship– Any business, whether indoors or outdoors, that is subject to a percentage capacity limitation will instead be guided by the rule regarding six feet of distance between persons or groups of persons.  This would include:
  • Indoor dining – Currently, indoor dining is limited to 50% capacity. This change will remove the 50% limitation but maintain the six feet of required distance between tables, except that tables will still be permitted to be closer than six feet where restaurants use partitions that comply with DOH requirements. Additionally, the prohibition on tables of more than 8 persons will be lifted. As a reminder, outdoor dining has never been bound to a capacity percentage. 
  • Houses of worship and religious services, which are currently at 50% capacity. Retail businesses, which are currently at 50% capacity.
  • Gyms, which are currently at 50% capacity.
  • Personal care services, which are currently at 50% capacity.
  • Indoor and outdoor amusement and recreation businesses, which are both currently limited to 50% capacity.
  • Indoor and outdoor pools, which are both currently limited to 50% capacity.
  • Indoor catered events, funerals, memorial services, performances, and political activities – Per today’s Executive Order, these events will be limited to 50% of a room’s capacity, up to 250 individuals.  Beginning on Wednesday, May 19, the 250-person limit will remain in place, but there will be no percentage-based capacity restrictions. Individuals and groups will need to remain six feet apart. 
• Indoor large venue capacity – The capacity limit for indoor large venues will increase from 20% to 30% and the definition of a large venue would shift from those with 2,500 fixed seats to those with 1,000 fixed seats. The requirement that individuals or groups of individuals that purchase tickets together remain six feet apart would remain in place.

 For the full text of Executive Order No. 238, click here.

05/03/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing, along with New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, a significant easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the region’s businesses, venues and gatherings given significant progress in vaccinations and sustained reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. 

New Jersey and New York Announce Today:

Social Distance-based Business Capacities

Effective May 19, most business capacities—which are currently based upon percentage of maximum occupancy—will be removed in New Jersey and New York. Businesses will only be limited by the space available for patrons or parties of patrons to maintain the required social distance of 6 feet. This new distance-based maximum capacity will apply across commercial settings, including retail, food services, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services, among other settings. It will also apply in houses of worship.

Increase in Social and Residential Gathering Limits

In New York beginning May 10, the outdoor social gathering limit will increase from 200 to 500 people. Beginning May 19, the indoor social gathering limit will increase from 100 to 250 people. Also, the outdoor residential gathering limit of 25 people will be removed, reverting to the social gathering limit of 500 people with space for appropriate social distancing, and the indoor residential gathering limit will increase from 10 to 50 people. In New York, any event gatherings in excess of the social gathering limits may only occur if all individuals present proof of full vaccination status or recent negative COVID-19 test result.

Event Venues

Congregate commercial and social events in New York—such as those at venues that host sports competitions, performing arts and live entertainment, and catered receptions—can exceed the social gathering limits of 500 people outdoors or 250 people indoors if all attendees over the age of four present either proof of full vaccination status or recent negative COVID-19 test result and the required social distancing can be accommodated.

Starting May 19, large-scale indoor event venues will operate at 30 percent capacity, which is an increase from the current 10 percent capacity limit. Large-scale outdoor event venues will operate at 33 percent. Social distancing, masks, and other applicable health protocols will still apply, including the requirement of attendee proof of full vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test result.

Industry Reopening Requirements

While most industry capacity restrictions will be lifted, industry-specific requirements will remain in effect for a longer period of time, including state or local health authority event notification, health screening, contact information for tracing, enhanced air handling and building system standards, hand hygiene, and environmental cleaning and disinfection protocols. The State will continue to provide additional guidance on these provisions as they apply to each industry.

Today's announcement builds on Governor Cuomo's recent measures to further reopen the economy amid a steady decline in New York's COVID-19 positivity and hospitalization rates. On April 30, Governor Cuomo announced that New York City indoor dining will expand to 75 percent capacity beginning May 7, bringing New York City in line with the rest of New York. The Governor also announced that hair salons, barber shops and other personal care services will expand to 75 percent capacity beginning May 7. New York City gyms and fitness centers will expand to 50 percent capacity beginning May 15. On April 28, Governor Cuomo announced that the food and beverage service, and catered event, curfews would end this month.

Connecticut Previously Announced:

• Starting May 1: The elimination of outdoor restrictions including limits on table sizes, and the requirement that food be served with alcohol.
• Starting May 19: The elimination of all remaining business restrictions including those on capacity limits at large event venues in the state.

04/28/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order No. 237, permitting summer youth overnight and day camps for the 2021 season. The Executive Order requires all overnight and day camps to follow COVID-19 health and safety protocols outlined in guidance issued today by the New Jersey Department of Health.

To mitigate the transmission of COVID-19, the Department of Health guidance includes the following requirements:

• Daily health screenings for staff, campers, and volunteers. 
• The use of infection control protocols such as face masks, cohorting, social distancing, hand hygiene, cleaning, and disinfecting.
• Policies and protocols for when a staff member or camper receives a positive COVID-19 test result.
• For overnight camps, unvaccinated staff and campers must receive a negative test result within 72 hours of arriving on-site. All staff and campers will be required to receive a test within 3 to 6 days of arrival.  Operators should strongly encourage staff and campers to quarantine prior to arrival at camp. 

The Order will take effect immediately.

For the full text of Executive Order No. 237, click here.

For a copy of the New Jersey Department of Health’s summer camp guidance, click here.

04/27/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the Your Voice, Your Shot video contest which urges New Jersey residents to share why they and others are getting vaccinated. Launching today, the contest calls for compelling, creative, and captivating video. After the submission window closes, a select number of finalists will be chosen. The public will then be invited to vote on their favorites. The winning video will be used in the State of New Jersey's COVID-19 public health campaign.

Contest participant’s videos must be original, consistent with NJDOH guidelines, and explain why they or others are getting or have been vaccinated. While videos may be in any language, the content must not be more than 30 seconds long and is subject to other limitations. To enter the contest, participants must share their video on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok), tag @NJGov, and include the hashtag #YourVoiceYourShotNJ. The deadline for submissions is May 11, 2021. More information, including additional contest guidelines, can be found at covid19.nj.gov/yourvoice.

04/26/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the easing of restrictions for a variety of activities and higher outdoor capacity limits, effective May 10. The changes, which include higher outdoor gathering limits, higher large venue outdoor capacities, higher maximum capacities for private catered events, and more, come as COVID-19 metrics are on the decline and as more New Jerseyans continue to receive COVID-19 vaccines.

The changes include:

Outdoor Gatherings

The outdoor gathering limit will be raised to 500 persons from 200 persons. COVID-19 metrics will continue to be evaluated with the hope of raising the limit again, perhaps considerably, prior to Memorial Day.

Large Venue Outdoor Capacity

Outdoor capacity limits will be raised to 50% capacity for venues with 1,000 fixed seats or more. The current limit is 30% capacity for venues with 2,500 fixed seats or more.  All attendees at these events are required to be six feet apart from other attendees, except that individuals who purchase or reserve tickets together may be seated together, but must be six feet away from all other groups or individuals in all directions.

Maximum Capacity for Indoor Certain Indoor Activities

Capacity limits for indoor private catered events, including proms, will be raised to 50% capacity of the room in which the event is being held with a maximum of 250 individuals. The current limit is 35% capacity of the room in which the event is held with a maximum of 150 individuals.  These events must continue to follow all indoor dining protocols.

The limit for political events, weddings, funerals, memorial services, and performances occurring indoors will similarly increase to 50% capacity with a maximum of 250 individuals.  Indoor religious services will continue to operate at 50% capacity, without a numerical cap.    

Dance Floors at Indoor Catered Events

Dance floors will be permitted to open at indoor private catered events, including proms with masking and social distancing requirements in place.  Dance floors will remain closed at bars and other related businesses, such as nightclubs.

Graduations and Proms

Schools and universities will be able to utilize the newly-raised outdoor gathering and large venue capacity limits to hold more robust graduation ceremonies.  Proms will benefit from the increases to indoor private catered event capacity and the allowance of dance floors at such events. The Department of Education (DOE) and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) will be issuing guidance to assist schools and institutions in preparing for these end-of-year events.  

Carnivals and Fairs

Effective May 10, carnivals and fairs are explicitly permitted to operate at outdoor amusement business capacity limits, which currently stand at 50% capacity.

Camps

An Executive Order and guidance will be issued on both day and overnight camp operations on Wednesday, April 28th. 

Copy of DOE Guidance

Copy of OSHE Guidance

04/22/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed A5405, which will direct $10 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund established under the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. This funding will be distributed to seven New Jersey food banks in order to continue providing families with food assistance during the pandemic. Governor Murphy previously allocated $25 million in Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) funding to food banks in New Jersey. 

The funding will be distributed to the following organizations:  

• Community Food Bank of New Jersey, $5,200,000;  
• The Food Bank of South Jersey, $1,500,000;  
• Fulfill Monmouth & Ocean, $1,500,000;  
• Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, $1,100,000;  
• Norwescap, $300,000;  
• Southern Regional Food Distribution Center, $300,000; and  
• Farmers Against Hunger, $100,000. 

04/21/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that the county and Atlantic Health System (AHS) launched an initiative to encourage graduating high school and college seniors to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in time for in-person graduation ceremonies and family celebrations this spring.

High school and college seniors in Morris County are being urged to schedule appointments now at the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall in Rockaway Township by going to this LINK, which leads to Atlantic Health System’s website.

Students can immediately schedule appointments that are available this week at the Vaccination Center, which has been issuing vaccines to about 4,000 people daily. The student appointments will not interfere with any other scheduled appointments. Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all vaccination appointments. 

04/20/21:  Morris County issued a press release indicating that the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened family stress, putting children at greater risk of being abused and neglected. Isolation, loss of jobs, schools operating in crisis mode, and sickness and death from the virus have taken a heavy toll, especially in families already struggling. 

Child protection agencies across the nation received fewer reports of abuse and neglect over the past year, but experts believe that is the result of children having less contact with teachers, doctors and social workers trained to recognize signs. A study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that while overall emergency room visits dipped between March and September 2020, the proportion of visits related to child abuse and neglect actually rose.

Even before the pandemic, nearly 1 in 9 children in the U.S. were victims of child abuse and neglect. The most recent count was 656,000, according to the federal “Child Maltreatment 2019” report. Risk factors include:

• Parenthood at a young age, and without a support system
• Lack of understanding about normal child development that can cause anger and frustration toward the child
• Poverty, unstable housing, unemployment and divorce, all which cause stress on families
• Abuse of alcohol and/or drugs
• A parent’s history of being abused as a child

According to the New Jersey Kids Count Dashboard, authorities substantiated findings of abuse and neglect of 4,897 children in 2019. Under state law, everyone has an obligation to report suspected acts of child abuse or neglect.  Anyone who has reason to believe a child is being abused should call the New Jersey Child Abuse Hotline at at 1-877 NJ ABUSE (and 911 if a child is in imminent danger). More information is available here.

04/20/21: Please note that the Montville Township Health Department, as it has throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to recommend the full 14-day quarantine period for all those who have tested positive for COVID-19. This includes for those age 18 and under. 

As can be seen from the "Cases Grouped By Age" chart under the Data and Reports tab above, cases among the age group 0-18 have risen slowly but steadily each week since the beginning of September 2020. 

The above percentage changes were not just due to cases among the older age groups decreasing, but were also due to the large number of new cases occurring during the same time period in the younger age groups, especially in the 0-18 age group.

As indicated in the above two charts, cases have been increasing more in the age group 0-18 than any other age group, and have been since the beginning of September last year. This is a similar trend to what is also being experienced elsewhere throughout the county, the state, and the nation. The reasons for this increase among the youngest in our community are most likely due to several different factors, including the mildness or lack of symptoms in that age group. Several recent studies have suggested that exposures for this age group are more likely to occur during extracurricular settings as opposed to educational settings.

It is the responsibility of all public health departments to always recommend the most protective and preventive health and safety measures for our entire community, and especially for our most vulnerable populations: the young, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions. This is true for any threat to public health, including communicable diseases such as COVID-19. 

Current CDC and NJ Department of Health guidelines state that anyone who is a close contact of a person who is infected with COVID-19 (closer than 6 feet for longer than 15 minutes in a 24-hour period, or directly exposed to their respiratory secretions during a variety of different activities), can test positive at any time between 2 to 14 days after the exposure if they were also infected.

Therefore, for the protection of our entire community, and especially our most vulnerable, whenever there has been an exposure of any member of our community to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, the Montville Township Health Department continues, as it has done throughout the pandemic, to recommend a full 14-day quarantine period to reduce the further spread of COVID-19. This is the most current guidance from both the CDC and the NJ Department of Health, which we also recommend that our entire community, including residents, businesses, and organizations, also follow.

04/19/21: The CDC has issued an order requiring airlines to collect designated information for passengers destined for the United States who are departing from, or were otherwise present in, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the Republic of Guinea. There are currently outbreaks of Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Guinea. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an Order on March 2, 2021 requiring airlines to collect and transmit to CDC contact information for passengers who were in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Republic of Guinea within the 21 days before their arrival or attempted arrival in the United States.

04/16/21: The CDC has developed a COVID-19 Parental Resource Kit: Ensuring Children and Young People’s Social, Emotional, and Mental Well-being to help support parents, caregivers, and other adults serving children and young people in recognizing children and young people’s social, emotional, and mental health challenges and helping to ensure their well-being. Parents can learn about the social, emotional, and mental health challenges faced by each age group, find out what can be done to help, and explore age-group specific resources to get started.

04/15/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order No. 235. The Order extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended in 2020 on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, August 1, August 27, September 25, October 24, November 22, and December 21, and again in 2021 on January 19, February 17, and March 17. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

Executive Order No. 235 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.

For the full text of Executive Order No. 235, click here. 

04/15/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that Morris County has the highest rate per-capita of any county in New Jersey for fully vaccinating people over the age of 65 and the second highest rate for fully vaccinating people over age 18, according to a review of state and federal data.

Comparing inoculations to population numbers as of April 10, the Morris County Board of County Commissioners was provided an outline of the data in a PowerPoint presentation by Commissioner John Krickus during an April 15 public meeting.

Morris County operates the Regional Center in partnership with Atlantic Health System and the State of New Jersey. As of April 10, 376,618 vaccines had been administered either through the Regional Vaccination Center or various hospitals, pharmacies, stores and medical offices delivering inoculations over the past four months in Morris County.

Data from the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed 232,196 adults were provided with one shot and 151,772 were fully vaccinated through those centers as of April 10 in Morris County, which has an adult population of about 380,000.

In partnership with Atlantic Health System, Morris County launched a Special Needs Vaccination Initiative in late March that, to date provided 415 vaccines to people in elderly care, behavioral health clients and childcare workers. People working in food pantries and other front-line human services staff also were inoculated, as Zufall Health and the federal pharmacy program assisted with vaccinating vulnerable populations, such as those who are homeless.

A Homebound Vaccination Initiative to reach people who cannot leave there living spaces had been initiated, but was paused due to the recent federal halt to the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccination.

04/14/21: Families of loved ones in nursing homes are invited to a "Q&A with the NJ Long-Term Care Ombudsman and the NJ Department of Health on NJ's Long-Term Care Visitation Policy" on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 1pm. To register, please click here. For more information on the NJ Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, please click here.

04/14/21: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Alert Network has issued a Health Alert regarding the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

Summary

As of April 12, 2021, approximately 6.85 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine (Janssen) have been administered in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are reviewing data involving six U.S. cases of a rare type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J COVID-19 vaccine that were reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). In these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). All six cases occurred among women aged 18–48 years. The interval from vaccine receipt to symptom onset ranged from 6–13 days. One patient died. Providers should maintain a high index of suspension for symptoms that might represent serious thrombotic events or thrombocytopenia in patients who have recently received the J&J COVID-19 vaccine. When these specific types of blood clots are observed following J&J COVID-19 vaccination, treatment is different from the treatment that might typically be administered for blood clots. Based on studies conducted among the patients diagnosed with immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia after the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Europe, the pathogenesis of these rare and unusual adverse events after vaccination may be associated with platelet-activating antibodies against platelet factor-4 (PF4), a type of protein. Usually, the anticoagulant drug called heparin is used to treat blood clots. In this setting, the use of heparin may be harmful, and alternative treatments need to be given.

CDC will convene an emergency meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, to further review these cases and assess potential implications on vaccine policy. FDA will review that analysis as it also investigates these cases. Until that process is complete, CDC and FDA are recommending a pause in the use of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine out of an abundance of caution. The purpose of this Health Alert is, in part, to ensure that the healthcare provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can provide proper management due to the unique treatment required with this type of blood clot.

For the Public

1. If you have received the J&J COVID-19 vaccine and develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination, contact your healthcare provider, or seek medical care.
2. Report adverse events following receipt of any COVID-19 vaccine to VAERS.
3. If you are scheduled to receive the J&J vaccine, please contact your healthcare provider, vaccination location, or clinic to learn about additional vaccine availability.

For More Information

• Resources on thrombotic thrombocytopenia after AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2104840external icon, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2104882external icon
• Frequently asked questions about VAERS reporting for COVID-19 vaccines VAERS – FAQs (hhs.gov)external icon
• How to report to VAERSexternal icon
• CDC materials on stroke and NIH materials on thrombocytopenia

04/13/21: NJDOH Commissioner Judith Persichilli issued a press release announcing that "Out of an abundance of caution and following the guidance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the New Jersey Department of Health this morning paused the administration of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine across all vaccination sites in the state."

The CDC and the FDA are reviewing the data involving six reported cases—among nearly 7 million doses administered in the U.S.—in women between the ages of 18 and 48 who received the J&J vaccine. Symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination. In these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets. Both the CDC and FDA have said that these adverse events are extremely rare. According to the FDA and CDC, individuals who have received the vaccine and develop abdominal pain, leg pain, shortness of breath, severe headache or other unusual symptoms within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.  

All New Jersey vaccination sites have been told to cancel or put on hold appointments for the J&J vaccine until further notice. For individuals scheduled to receive the J&J vaccine, the Department will work with all vaccination sites to make arrangements for the administration of an alternative two-dose vaccine. We will work with all sites, as needed, to reschedule vaccination appointments. 

The Department will await further guidance from the federal government. The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting tomorrow to discuss these adverse events and make recommendations to the CDC on how to proceed.

04/13/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed into law A-5445, which provides $10 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid for child care providers throughout New Jersey. The bill – sponsored by Senators M. Teresa Ruiz and Joseph Lagana and Assembly Members Lisa Swain, Gabriela Mosquera, and Adam Taliaferro – will provide grants to child care providers in need. The bill is part of a five-bill, $100 million relief effort aimed at helping New Jersey’s economy recover from the year-long pandemic. 

The Murphy Administration has spent nearly $200 million of Coronavirus Relief Funds on child care capacity since last fall. To date, over 3,000 child care providers have received grants to meet new COVID-19 health and safety precautions and stabilize their operations, and a similar amount received enhanced subsidy payments between September and February.  

The relief aid will be administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which so far has provided more than $250 million in aid to 55,000 New Jersey businesses. EDA will open an application pre-registration process for the grant money later this month.

04/12/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed into law A-A5446, which provides $15 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid for small businesses throughout New Jersey. The bill – sponsored by Senators Linda Greenstein and Joseph Lagana and Assembly Members Joann Downey, Andrew Zwicker, and Sterley Stanley – provides aid in the form of grants to small businesses and non-profits in need. The bill is part of a five-bill, $100 million relief effort aimed at helping New Jersey’s small businesses recover from the year-long pandemic.

The relief aid will be administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which will announce when the application for the aid is open. To date, the NJEDA has distributed more than $250 million in aid to some 55,000 businesses across the state.

04/09/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed into law A-5444, which provides $35 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid for restaurants throughout New Jersey. The bill – sponsored by Senators Vin Gopal and Joseph Lagana and Assembly Members Vincent Mazzeo, Pedro Mejia, Christopher Tully, and Louis Greenwald – provides aid to a particularly hard hit sector of New Jersey’s economy. The bill is part of a five-bill, $100 million relief effort aimed at helping New Jersey’s small businesses recover from the year-long pandemic. 

The relief aid will be administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. To date, the NJEDA has distributed more than $250 million in aid to some 55,000 businesses across the state.

04/08/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed into law S-3521, which provides $15 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid for arts and cultural venues throughout New Jersey. The bill – sponsored by Senators Joseph Lagana, Dawn Marie Addiego, and Vin Gopal and Assembly Members Linda Carter, Angela McKnight, and Eric Houghtaling – focuses on providing aid to arts and cultural organizations in need of support as a result of the public health emergency. The bill is part of a five-bill, $100 million relief effort aimed at helping New Jersey’s small businesses recover from the year-long pandemic. 

The relief aid will be administered by both the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Specifically, the bill makes available $7.5 million to the EDA for for-profit organizations and $7.5 million to the State Council on the Arts for non-profit organizations. To date, the NJEDA has distributed more than $250 million in aid to some 55,000 businesses across the state.

04/07/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing an administrative order which adjusts gathering limits for non-professional and non-collegiate indoor sports activities. The adjustment clarifies that athletes, coaches, up to two parents and guardians per participating athlete under the age of 21, and other individuals necessary for the practice or competition do not count towards the general indoor gathering limit, which is currently 25 persons. The order also allows retail businesses to permit customers to utilize self-service food, such as buffets and salad bars.

The order clarifies that non-professional, non-collegiate athletic practices and competitions that are conducted indoors are subject to the current indoor gathering limit of 25 persons. Athletes, coaches, referees, trainers, and other individuals who are necessary for the practice or competition are not included in the number of individuals present at a gathering for purposes of the limits on gatherings. Operators of such sports activities may permit up to two parents or guardians per participating athlete under the age of 21 to attend the event provided that all attendees abide by the applicable requirements in the DOH’s “Guidance for Sports Activities.” Such parents and guardians shall also be considered necessary for the practice or competition. In no case shall the number of persons present in the room, inclusive of parents and guardians, exceed 35 percent of the capacity of the room.  

The order also clarifies that retail businesses, such as grocery stores, may permit customers to utilize self-service food, such as buffets and salad bars. Such retail businesses shall limit self-service food and drink stations to those that can be routinely cleaned and disinfected.  To the extent that such retail businesses permit indoor or outdoor dining, the business shall abide by the DOH’s guidance governing those operations and the requirements of all applicable Executive Orders.

The order takes effect immediately.

A copy of the Administrative Order can be found here.

04/05/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing new COVID-19 travel guidelines. The governor and the New Jersey Department of Health said the new COVID-19 travel restrictions follow updated travel recommendations released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) earlier this month.

Given the increased risk of spreading COVID-19 for both residents who travel outside the state and for visitors into the state, New Jersey continues to strongly discourage unvaccinated individuals from engaging in non-essential interstate travel at this time. CDC recommends travel be deferred until individuals are fully vaccinated. An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks or more after receipt of the second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks or more after receipt of a single-dose vaccine. 

People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine and persons who clinically recovered from COVID-19 in the past three months who are traveling domestically within the United States do not need to be tested for COVID-19 before or after travel to New Jersey and do not need to self-quarantine upon return. The CDC still recommends that fully vaccinated persons arriving in the United States from abroad be tested for COVID-19 three to five days after return. 

Unvaccinated travelers and residents returning from any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for unvaccinated people.

Summary of Travel Recommendations

All Travelers:   

• International travel:  negative test result or documentation of recovery required by the CDC to enter United States following air travel
• Self-monitor for symptoms during and after travel and self-isolate if symptoms develop
• Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when in public
• Avoid crowds and stay at least six feet from others
• Wash hands often or use hand sanitizer

Fully Vaccinated Travelers:

• Get tested three to five days after returning to the United States from international travel, but no quarantine following travel or test before travel (unless required by the destination) needed
• For domestic travel, no quarantine or test before or after travel needed

Travelers who Clinically Recovered from COVID-19 in past three months:

• No quarantine or pre- or post-travel test needed

Unvaccinated Travelers:

• Defer travel until fully vaccinated
• Before travel, get tested for COVID-19 with a viral test one to three days before the trip
• Get tested three to five days after travel
• Stay home and self-quarantine for a full seven days after travel, even if the post-travel test is negative. If not tested after travel, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.

CDC Travel Recommendations: 

• CDC Domestic Travel during COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html
• International Travel during COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html

The Department of Health’s updated travel guidance can be viewed at the following link: Current Restrictions on Travel

04/05/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that all individuals ages 16 and older will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination on April19 – two weeks ahead of the state’s initial target of May 1. New Jersey’s phased vaccination roll out has successfully administered 4.7 million doses of vaccine to essential frontline workers, educators, high-risk groups, and other eligible adults who live, work, or study in the state. With 1,796,798 adults already fully vaccinated, New Jersey is on track to meet Governor Murphy’s goal of fully vaccinating 4.7 million adults by June 30.

04/01/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed into law S-3523, which provides $25 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid for small businesses throughout New Jersey. The bill – sponsored by Senators Dawn Marie Addiego and Joe Lagana and Assemblymen Gordon Johnson, John Armato, and Roy Freiman – focuses on providing a lifeline to microbusinesses with five or fewer employees. The bill is part of a five-bill, $100 million relief effort aimed at helping New Jersey’s economy recover from the year-long pandemic.

The relief aid will be administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which so far has provided more than $250 million in aid to 55,000 New Jersey businesses.

03/29/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed Executive Order No. 234, which will increase outdoor gathering limits and increase capacity for seated events at large venues. The Order also clarifies indoor capacity limits for banquet halls and similar venues. 

Executive Order No. 234 will effectuate the following changes on Friday, April 2, at 6:00 a.m.:

Outdoor Gatherings

• The general outdoor gathering limit will increase from 50 people to 200 people.
• Outdoor gatherings that are religious services or ceremonies, political events, weddings, funerals, or memorial services will continue to not have any limit.
• College and youth sporting events will be permitted up to 200 spectators if the outdoor venue can accommodate appropriate social distancing.  

Large Venues

• Venues, including sports and entertainment venues, with a seating capacity of 2,500 or more will be permitted to host events at 20 percent capacity indoors and 30 percent capacity outdoors. The capacity limits will continue to exclude participants, such as athletes and performers, and staff, such as coaches and ushers.   
• Facilities that host such events must ensure that all attendees at the event remain six feet apart from other attendees, except those individuals who purchase or reserve tickets together may be seated together. Attendees will also be required to wear masks within the facility, except when eating or drinking.  

Catered Events

• The Order also clarifies that banquet halls and similar dining establishments and venues that use a licensed caterer can host indoor celebrations and other private catered events at 35 percent of the room’s capacity, up to 150 persons. 

Indoor Gatherings

• The general indoor gathering limit will remain at 25 people.
• Indoor gatherings that currently have a higher limit  – religious services or ceremonies, political events, weddings, funerals, memorial services, or performances – will remain unchanged.   

Copy of Executive Order No. 234

03/26/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the expansion of eligibility for more frontline essential workers and high-risk groups in New Jersey’s COVID-19 vaccination program. Eligible groups include individuals ages 55-64, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, higher education educators and staff, and communications and utility infrastructure workers among others.

Beginning Monday, April 5, the following groups are eligible for vaccination:

• Individuals ages 55-64;
• Individuals ages 16 and up with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
• Educators, including support staff, in higher education settings;
• Communications infrastructure support, including engineers, and technicians, and members of the press;
• Real estate, building, and home service workers, including construction workers, code officials, plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, property management, and maintenance workers;
• Retail financial institution workers, including bank tellers, lending services, public accounting, and check-cashing workers;
• Sanitation workers providing disinfection and janitorial services, city sanitation workers; residential, commercial, and industrial solid and hazardous waste removal workers;
• Laundry service workers, including those working in laundromats, laundry services, and dry cleaners;
• Utility workers including, electrical generation and supply system, natural gas delivery, nuclear power plant, water supply, telephone, cable/fiber/optical/broadband/cellular service workers; and,
• Librarians and support staff at municipal, county, and state libraries.

For more information about eligibility, statewide vaccination site locations, and to preregister for a vaccination, visit https://covid19.nj.gov/vaccine.

For more information on CDC criteria for eligibility, please click here. 

03/26/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing, in partnership with the Biden Administration, the planned opening of a pilot Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Vaccination Center located at the Naimoli Family Athletic and Recreational Facility at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark. As part of the shared goal of the Murphy Administration and Biden Administration to efficiently and equitably administer COVID-19 vaccinations, the Community Vaccination Center will have the capacity to vaccinate 6,000 individuals per day, seven days per week. Vaccines will be provided directly from the federal government, above and beyond the state’s regular allocations. Supported by the federal government in partnership with the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, the New Jersey Department of Health, Essex County, and City of Newark, the Community Vaccination Center will target vulnerable communities based on the Centers for Diseases Control’s Social Vulnerability Index.

03/25/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that Morris County seniors and adults with disabilities are invited to a COVID-19 Wellness Event where they can pick up a wellness kit as well as chat with the staff of Navigating Hope regarding home-delivered meals, food pantries, Medicaid, senior housing and other social services.

Wellness kits contain a reusable face mask, touchless tool and hand sanitizer. Kits are available to people with disabilities and seniors age 60 and older.

The distribution will take place on April 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Morris County Library, 30 E. Hanover Ave., Whippany. Homebound residents may call 973-285-6848 to determine if home delivery is available.

Navigating Hope, Morris County's mobile social services vehicle, will be on site to provide information on Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled Program or PAAD, as well as Medicaid applications. They will also distribute information on programs such as food pantries, senior housing, home-delivered meals and Assurance Wireless, which is a federal lifeline assistance program providing eligible low-income individuals free phones, monthly phone data, unlimited texting and free monthly minutes.

03/24/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that financial institutions across New Jersey have put in place measures to protect federal stimulus funds being provided to New Jerseyans during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

The Murphy Administration secured support from Bank of America, Citibank, PNC Bank, TD Bank and Wells Fargo, in addition to 45 other federal and state-chartered banks and credit unions to protect the stimulus payments of New Jersey residents. More financial institutions are expected to sign on in the coming
days. The New Jersey Bankers Association and the CrossState Credit Union Association have endorsed this initiative and are encouraging all their members to adopt these policies. 

A third federal stimulus package, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, was signed into law on March 11, 2021. As part of this federal stimulus package, the United States Department of the Treasury will mail to and deposit stimulus payments into the bank accounts of eligible Americans.  Under Governor Murphy’s initiative, New Jerseyans will be eligible for the following relief by participating financial institutions upon contacting their bank or credit union: protected access to stimulus payment for at least 30-days.

Participating institutions have put in place measures to protect access to stimulus funds regardless of whether the consumer’s bank account is overdrawn or has a negative balance.

This service shall be available for a period of at least 30 days from receipt of funds in the consumer’s account and will apply to stimulus funds provided to New Jerseyans through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  For more information on COVID-19 related stimulus payment protections, and a list of participating institutions, please click here.

Affected New Jerseyans should confirm with their financial institution when the overdrawn status or negative account balance will be reinstated, including any applicable fees.

If consumers do not see their institution on the list, they should contact their institution to request information about any available stimulus protection programs offered in response to COVID-19. 

Additionally, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 233, that provides all stimulus payments issued to New Jerseyans under the American Rescue Plan Act to be exempt from, and will not be subject to, garnishment by private creditors and debt collectors.  The Executive Order continues to allow for garnishment in connection with any action for, or any judgment awarding, any child support, spousal support, or family support, or any criminal restitution payable to victims.  

Copy of Executive Order No. 233

03/24/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) today released updated COVID-19 K-12 operational guidance for local health departments (LHDs). The updated guidance, which reflects recent changes to K-12 recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is aligned with the Administration’s goal of opening schools for in-person instruction for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.

NJDOH’s guidance is intended to offer public health recommendations and strategies for LHDs regarding K-12 school operations. However, schools that have implemented mitigation strategies that have allowed them to successfully open to full in-person instruction may generally continue to follow these strategies.

Pursuant to the updated guidance, LHDs should continue to use the COVID-19 Regional Risk Matrix to provide guidance to school districts. NJDOH’s COVID-19 Activity Level Index provides information on COVID-19 transmission at the regional level, characterizing risk as low (green), moderate (yellow), high (orange), and very high (red). The critical updates to the guidance document are summarized below.

NJDOH recommends full in-person instruction with a minimum of 3 feet of physical distancing between students maintained in classrooms for elementary schools across low, moderate, and high risk and for middle/high school when the region is at a low or moderate risk level. When the region is in high risk, middle/high schools should maintain 6 feet of physical distancing between students in classrooms to the greatest extent practicable and consider in-person instruction if able to maximize physical distancing of 6 feet or more. Strict adherence to mask-wearing should be enforced at all times across all risk and grade levels. The CDC and NJDOH continue to recommend six feet of physical distancing in all settings when masks cannot be worn, such as while eating and drinking. Six feet of physical distancing is particularly important between staff members in the school building and between staff members and students, in common areas, such as school lobbies and auditoriums, and during activities when increased exhalation occurs, such as singing, shouting, band practice, sports, or exercise (even if masks are worn).

NJDOH’s guidance recommends that students, teachers, and staff who are at high risk of severe illness or who live with people at high risk be offered the option of virtual instruction.

Students and staff must continue to stay home when sick. Students and staff, unless fully vaccinated and asymptomatic, should stay home if they have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 within the past 14 days. If someone in their household is being tested for COVID-19 due to illness, students and staff, unless fully vaccinated and asymptomatic, should also stay home until the test result is received.

Educators and staff who have been fully vaccinated should follow the NJDOH Guidelines for Vaccinated Individuals. Vaccinated persons should continue to follow current guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others while in the community, avoiding crowds, avoiding poorly ventilated spaces, covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often, following CDC travel guidance, and following any applicable workplace or school guidance, including guidance related to personal protective equipment use and SARS-CoV-2 testing.

To reduce risk of transmission in schools, it is recommended that schools work to increase the circulation of outdoor air, by opening windows and doors, using child-safe fans and exhaust fans and also consider having activities, classes or lunches outdoors when circumstances allow.

If an outbreak is identified, schools and LHDs should promptly intervene to control spread (including consideration of a temporary transition of classrooms or cohorts to remote learning) while working to determine whether the outbreak originated in the school setting and assess potential contributors to the outbreak. The updated guidance document addresses multiple outbreak scenarios and provides the recommended responsive action.

Regional risk levels are just one tool that LHDs and schools can use when assessing COVID-19 risk. LHDs have additional knowledge of COVID-19 in their jurisdictions that can inform local planning and response actions. Many factors need to be considered when deciding to transition entire schools, cohorts, or in-individual classrooms to remote learning, such as whether all close contacts of cases can be identified and excluded from school, and the distribution of cases within the school.

03/23/21: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts has announced that to show their support for those who choose to get vaccinated, starting Monday, 3/22/21, anyone who shows their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card at participating Krispy Kreme locations will receive a free Original Glazed® doughnut. Any qualified guest needs to show their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to redeem the COVID-19 Vaccine Offer. Each individual guest who requests the COVID-19 offer will be limited to one (1) Original Glazed® doughnut per day, no purchased required.

03/21/21: OneMontville Unites invited Montville Health Officer Aimee Puluso back for her second appearance as a guest on their podcast, available on Anchor and other platforms. In this episode, Ms. Puluso discusses National Public Health Week (April 5-11, 2021), and gives an update on a range of COVID-19 information, included cases, the ongoing vaccination effort, and potential new changes in school guidance.

03/19/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing, that on Monday, March 22, 2021, an on-line portal for COVID-19 related emergency rental assistance for Morris County and the State of New Jersey will be open to receive applications from low- and moderate-income households that had a substantial reduction in income, have qualified for unemployment benefits, incurred significant costs or experienced a financial hardship due to the pandemic.

Morris County has received more than $14.6 million to provide rental assistance to county residents who qualify for the aid, and they will be able to access the portal and apply for this program on Monday, March 22, 2021, beginning at 9:00 a.m. by going to: https://njdca.onlinepha.com/.

Morris County has partnered with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), as have other counties, to utilize the state’s program vendor, and eliminate confusion for those in need by using one on-line portal to access the application.

The umbrella name for the assistance is the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Phase II or CVERAP PHASE II. The first phase was launched in July 2020, using $91.75 million in federal funds, which assisted about 15,000 New Jersey residents.  New Jersey has been provided $353 million for the second phase.

Morris County also has been advised by the state that there are additional emergency rental assistance funds that can be used for this program if Morris County residents’ need exceeds the more than $14.6 million received.  Morris County’s Office of Temporary Assistance will continue to assist as it has in the past with short term (1-3 months) rental assistance for eligible clients.

The program covers two areas:

Emergency Rental Assistance for Arrears: Applicants may be eligible for up to a maximum of twelve months of emergency rental assistance to help pay for rent arrears and future rent to the extent that funds are available. Families that have already received funding through Phase I of the program, that need additional rent support, and have not yet received the maximum twelve months of emergency rental assistance can apply for additional funding.

Emergency Rental Assistance for Current and Future Rents: Financial assistance is limited to three months based on application submitted, except that the household may receive additional assistance for additional months subject to the availability of remaining funds and eligibility, not to exceed 12 months (plus an additional three months if necessary to ensure housing stability).

Persons applying must meet all applicable income and eligibility requirements. 

For more information, please go to the state portal: https://njdca.onlinepha.com/.

03/18/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order 232, which will rescind the current prohibition on outdoor interstate youth competitions, effective 6:00 a.m. on Friday, March 19.

Attendees at outdoor sports competitions will be limited to players, coaches, and officials, and up to two parents or guardians per participating athlete. No additional spectators or attendees will be allowed. 

All persons in attendance at youth sports competitions must follow all health and safety protocols for sports activities, which require attendees to wear masks and social distance, and athletes to wear masks when not engaged in activity. 

The prohibition on indoor sports competitions remains in effect.

Copy of Executive Order #232

03/17/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed Executive Order No. 231, extending the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended in 2020 on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, August 1, August 27, September 25, October 24, November 22, and December 21, and again in 2021 on January 19 and February 17. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

Executive Order No. 231 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.

For the full text of Executive Order No. 231, click here.

03/17/21: Morris County issued a press release announcing that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have been isolated during the pandemic now have access to virtual activities and lessons, thanks to a grant approved for Community Options, Inc., by the Morris County Board of County Commissioners and the Morris County Department of Human Services.

The $15,000 Grant-in-Aid was approved in late 2020 for Community Options, which provides employment and housing supports to more than 900 people with disabilities statewide, enabling the nonprofit to purchase computers for a program that benefits 75 Morris County residents. These residents with disabilities can now access activities such as yoga, cooking lessons, music therapy, mindfulness training and gardening through virtual instructors.

Community Options has continued its core services throughout the pandemic. But the nonprofit has been forced to limit many critical in-person day program activities as people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, even with vaccinations underway.

As part of the grant project, Community Options joins bi-monthly policy meetings with the county’s Disabled and Senior Provider Group, where they exchange resources and ideas with other organizations.

03/16/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center, or “mega site” has administered its 100,000^th dose, a noteworthy milestone in the fight against COVID-19. The facility, housed in a former Sears store at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall, has delivered nearly half the doses of COVID-19 vaccine distributed in all of Morris County.

The 100,000^th dose was administered to Susan Henry, a resident of Morris County. She was joined by her husband Paul Henry who was also vaccinated. Both are teachers in Morris County.

Since opening its doors in early January with a visit by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, the mega site has dramatically expanded its capacity from several hundred doses a day and is now able to administer 3,500 daily, seven days a week from 7:00am to 7:00pm. 

As one of six mega sites in New Jersey, the Morris County mega site is joined by locations in Gloucester County (Rowan College of South Jersey in Sewell), East Rutherford (The Meadowlands), Edison (New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center), Burlington County (The Moorestown Mall) and Atlantic City (The Atlantic City Convention Center). 

To create the mega site, the 30,000 square foot first floor of the former Sears store was converted from shuttered retail space in less than four weeks. To help ensure safety, the building features 16 air purifiers that turn over the air every nine minutes. An estimated 150 county workers, Atlantic Health team members, sheriff’s officers and National Guard are on site to ensure smooth operations.

To learn how to sign up for an appointment at the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center, visit the www.atlantichealth.org/covidvaccine.

03/11/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed Executive Order No. 230, which will increase indoor capacity limits for certain businesses and increase both the general indoor and outdoor gathering limit.

These changes will go into effect on Friday, March 19th at 6:00 a.m., aligned with increases in capacity in Connecticut and New York.
Executive Order No. 230 will effectuate the following changes:

Indoor Businesses
The following businesses may increase indoor capacity limits from 35 percent to 50 percent, excluding the employees of the establishment:

• Indoor premises of restaurants, cafeterias, and food courts, with or without a liquor license, and bars;
• Indoor recreation, amusement, and entertainment businesses (including casinos and gyms); and
• Personal care services (barber shops, nail salons, and other personal care businesses). 

These businesses must continue to abide by current health and safety protocols, including face covering and physical distancing requirements.  

Indoor Gatherings

• The general indoor gathering limit will increase from 10 people to 25 people.
• Indoor gatherings that currently have a higher limit  – religious services or ceremonies, political events, weddings, funerals, memorial services, or performances – will remain unchanged.   

Outdoor Gatherings

• The general outdoor gathering limit will increase from 25 people to 50 people.
• Outdoor gatherings that are religious services or ceremonies, political events, weddings, funerals or memorial services will remain unchanged by the Order.

Copy of Executive Order No. 230

03/10/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release stating that he and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo have announced that New Jersey and New York City will expand indoor dining capacity to 50 percent beginning March 19. Currently, New Jersey and New York City restaurants are operating at 35 percent capacity and the rest of New York State is operating at 50 percent capacity. This follows Governor Cuomo’s announcement that restaurants outside of New York City will expand to 75 percent capacity beginning March 19. 

These capacity increases are part of both state’s continued efforts to jump start their post-COVID recovery and reinvigorate the economy. New Jersey last expanded indoor dining on February 5, 2021. During that time, the number of hospitalizations in the state has dropped by over 1,000 and has remained consistent. Since New York City indoor dining was reopened on February 12, two COVID-19 incubation periods have passed without any significant rise in infection and hospitalization rates. This expanded capacity is subject to strict state guidance.

03/09/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed SJR82, which designates March 9th of each year as “COVID-19 Heroes Day” in New Jersey.

03/08/21: CDC issued the first set of public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people. This guidance will be updated and expanded based on the level of community spread of SARS-CoV-2, the proportion of the population that is fully vaccinated, and the rapidly evolving science on COVID-19 vaccines.

For the purposes of this guidance, people are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen).

The following recommendations apply to non-healthcare settings.

Fully vaccinated people can:

• Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
• Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
• Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic

For now, fully vaccinated people should continue to:

• Take precautions in public like wearing a well-fitted mask and physical distancing
• Wear masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease
• Wear masks, maintain physical distance, and practice other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households
• Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings
• Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
• Follow guidance issued by individual employers
• Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations

03/08/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that more than 15,000 households are benefiting from the $91.75 COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CVERAP) launched in July 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants applied through a lottery system and were selected from an overall pool of applicants through a randomized process based on eligibility and the lottery criteria. Households in the program have received six months of rental assistance paid directly on the tenant’s behalf to their landlord. Payments began in September 2020.

03/03/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order No. 229, extending a moratorium preventing New Jersey residents from having their utilities disconnected through at least June 30, 2021. The moratorium was previously set to expire on March 15, 2021, pursuant to Executive Order No. 190 (2020). The moratorium applies to all residential gas, electric and water utilities, both public and private. Further, the utilities will not be permitted to charge late fees nor fees to reconnect services that have been disconnected. 

The moratorium extension also applies to cable and telecommunications providers, which are prohibited from disconnecting Internet service in households that have one or more school-age children that may be using such service for educational purposes. Also, if a household experiences a change of circumstances where school age children will be using their home Internet service for school, the cable and telecommunications company will be required to reconnect that Internet service. 

Copy of Executive Order #229

03/03/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release that he today signed Executive Order No. 228, allowing indoor wedding receptions to operate at 35% capacity of the room in which they are held, up to 150 individuals, and outdoor wedding receptions to permit up to 150 individuals. Both capacity limits are exclusive of venue staff. Receptions will be required to follow indoor and outdoor dining guidance, which requires that people eat and drink while seated and wear face coverings at all other times.

Additionally, Governor Murphy today indicated that overnight camps will be permitted to resume operations for the summer season. The Governor and the Department of Health will issue additional guidance regarding the application process and the applicable health and safety protocols in the coming weeks. 

For the full text of Executive Order No. 228, please click here. 

03/01/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the planned expansion of eligibility for more frontline essential workers and high-risk groups in New Jersey’s COVID-19 vaccination program. Eligible groups include educators and staff in pre-k through 12th grade settings, childcare workers, and transportation workers, among others. 

Beginning Monday, March 15, the following categories will be eligible for vaccination:

• Educators, including support staff, in pre-K through 12th grade settings;
• Childcare workers in licensed and registered settings;
• Public and local transportation workers, including bus, taxi, rideshare, and airport employees; NJ TRANSIT workers; and Motor Vehicle Commission staff;
• Public safety workers who are not sworn law enforcement or fire professionals, including probation officers and fire safety inspectors;
• Migrant farm workers;
• Members of tribal communities; and,
• Individuals experiencing homelessness and those living in shelters, including domestic violence shelters.

Additionally, beginning on Monday, March 29, frontline essential workers in the following categories will also be eligible for vaccination:

• Food production, agriculture, and food distribution;
• Eldercare and support;
• Warehousing and logistics;
• Social services support staff;
• Elections personnel;
• Hospitality;
• Medical supply chain;
• Postal and shipping services;
• Clergy; and,
• Judicial system.

Additionally, the eligibility list will indicate that all individuals ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that increase the risk or might increase the risk of severe illness from the virus, are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination.

For more information about eligibility, statewide vaccination site locations, and to preregister for a vaccination, visit https://covid19.nj.gov/vaccine. For more information on CDC criteria for eligibility, please click here. 

02/26/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the second phase of a community-based vaccination partnership between the Murphy Administration and Biden Administration to provide equitable access of the COVID-19 vaccine to underserved communities throughout New Jersey. The second phase of the program will bring an additional five community-based vaccination sites to the state in Camden, Jersey City, Orange, Newark, and Pleasantville. Governor Murphy announced the initial phase of the program earlier this month, which includes sites in Somerset, Trenton, Elizabeth, Paterson, and Vineland.

The community-based vaccination sites are supported through a partnership by the New Jersey Department of Health, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and U.S. Department of Defense, in addition to local faith leaders, nonprofit organizations, local officials, and health departments. These cities have been strategically selected as they have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and are some of the most diverse and socio-economically challenged communities in the state. The ten community-based vaccination sites will vaccinate over 34,000 residents. 

In order to ensure equitable access in these high-need cities, these sites will operate as closed points of distribution for members of the immediate community only. Vaccination appointments will be required and will be handled directly through partnering houses of worship, community organizations, and local community leaders. Each site will coordinate with a health partner and vaccine will be dispensed from the State’s allocation. A vaccination support team from the Department of Defense will provide the clinical staffing at the sites and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide non-medical support. Each site will be able to vaccinate approximately 1,800 people per week and vaccinations at each location will take place over a two-week period, followed by a return to administer second doses. 

02/24/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that $29.5 million in federal funding will be available to New Jersey’s institutions of higher education amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to support the goals of the State Plan for Higher Education through a competitive challenge grant and address student food insecurities across college campuses.

About $28.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education through the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER II) Fund will be awarded to New Jersey’s public and public-mission private institutions that receive state operating aid to implement vetted best practices that increase college completion, address barriers to student success, and develop sustainable systemic reforms. Another $1 million will be awarded to public institutions to combat food insecurity among students.

Applications for both grant programs are forthcoming and will be available on OSHE’s website. 

02/22/21: Montville Township issued the following press release:

Montville Township, along with the rest of the county, state, nation, and around the world, experienced record-high number of new COVID-19 cases during this recent fall/winter surge. As has also been seen in other areas, the number of new cases in the Township has recently decreased significantly, which is encouraging news. This decrease in new cases allowed Health Department staff to follow up on and close out a number of open cases that had been investigated and were ready to be closed. 

Also encouraging is the number of people who are actively seeking to get vaccinated against COVID-19. While vaccine is still very limited compared to the number of people who are qualified to receive it, increasing amounts of vaccine are being sent to the state each week. And, in addition to the increasing amount of vaccines that are already being administered, new vaccines are also in the approval process and being manufactured, and still others are being tested in clinical trials and may become available. 

This is encouraging news on both fronts. However, to keep the number of new cases as low as possible for as long as possible, the Township encourages our community to continue to follow established COVID-19 safety guidelines, including:

• Wearing an effective and correctly worn face covering around those outside your household
• Keeping at least 6 feet of distance from those outside your household
• Following good respiratory etiquette: coughing/sneezing into elbows, not hands or tissues
• Washing hands often with soap and hot water, rubbing with soap for at least 20 seconds
• Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after washing hands, or if soap/water are not available
• Reducing hand contact with your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Avoiding those who have any symptoms of illness
• Staying home if you feel unwell, and contacting your healthcare provider for guidance
• Following recommended testing, quarantine, and isolation guidance
• Answering calls from case investigators/contact tracers and assisting their efforts
• Obtaining a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as one is available

02/22/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order 225, which increases capacity limits for religious services and large sports and entertainment venues. Additionally, limited spectators will be allowed at collegiate sporting events, mirroring last week’s announcement on youth sporting events.

The changes are as follows:

Religious Services
Effective immediately 

• Religious services and celebrations, including wedding ceremonies, funerals, and memorial services that involve a religious service, will be able to operate at 50% capacity of the room in which they are held, with no cap on the number of individuals permitted to attend.  Services were previously limited to 35% of the room, up to 150 individuals.  
• Individuals attending services will still be required to wear masks and sit six feet apart from those outside of their household group.

Collegiate Sporting Events
Effective immediately 

• Operators of indoor and outdoor collegiate sports practices and competitions may allow up to two parents or guardians per each participating athlete.
• Even including this limited number of parents and guardians, the total number of individuals at an indoor practice or competition cannot exceed 35% of the capacity of the room, and any outdoor space needs to accommodate all attendees with appropriate room for social distancing.
• Collegiate athletic conferences retain the discretion to impose stricter protocols regarding spectators, including for events that take place in large venues.

Large Sports and Entertainment Venues
Effective Monday, March 1 at 6:00 a.m. 

• Large sports and entertainment venues with a fixed seating capacity of 5,000 or more will be permitted to host a number of patrons and members of the public equal to 10% of capacity indoors and 15% of capacity outdoors.  
• Facilities that host such events must ensure that all attendees at the event remain six feet apart from other attendees, except that individuals who purchase or reserve tickets together may be seated together.  Attendees will also be required to wear masks within the facility, except when eating or drinking.  

02/19/21:  Governor Murphy and New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) Acting Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan issued a press release announcing “The Road Forward,” a series of coordinated policy initiatives that dramatically expand the Administration’s efforts to identify and address the academic and mental health impacts of COVID-19 on New Jersey students and educators. 

As part of this coordinated initiative, $1.2 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds will be made available to districts, including grants dedicated specifically to research-based instructional and mental health interventions. Additionally, the Governor and Acting Commissioner announced that the Administration is seeking public comment and will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Education (USED) to waive federal requirements to administer statewide assessments this spring.  

On March 15, the DOE will release applications for $1.2 billion in federal ESSER II funds (Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund). The funds will be distributed as follows:

• As required by legislation, a minimum of 90 percent of New Jersey’s ESSER II funds will be allocated to local education agencies (LEAs) in the same proportion as those funds received under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, in school year 2020-2021. 
• Two grant opportunities will provide a total of $105 million to support districts in providing additional academic and mental health supports.
  • $75 million Learning Acceleration Grant: 75 percent of a district’s allocation will be used to support research-based academic enrichment activities, such as one-on-one intensive tutoring and summer learning academies, and 25 percent will be used for strategies to support the broader learning ecosystem.
  • $30 million Mental Health Grant: Funds will be used to assist districts in implementing school-based mental health supports for all students and educators. These grants will assist school districts in building a tiered, sustainable intervention model of comprehensive mental health supports and services.
• The DOE will use ESSER II State set-aside funds to provide assistance to non-Title I LEAs, County Special Services School Districts, Education Services Commissions, Jointure Commissions, Division of Children and Families, Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice Commission, and the Juvenile Detention Centers. 

For additional information, including district allocations, please see the DOE’s February 19, 2021 broadcast memo.

To assist districts in leveraging these federal funds effectively, the DOE has posted to its website a clearinghouse of successful practices that New Jersey school districts have identified as notable achievements in mitigating the challenges posed by COVID-19. These district-reported successes are categorized by county, district size, and topic area to facilitate meaningful collaboration and learning opportunities between similarly-situated districts. 

The Administration recognizes that amid the severe disruptions caused by COVID-19, statewide assessments will detract from schools’ efforts to focus on students’ social-emotional health, wellness, and individualized academic and behavioral supports. Therefore, the DOE is making available for public comment a request to the USED to waive federal requirements to administer statewide assessments this spring, including the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment, ACCESS for ELLs, and the Dynamic Learning Maps alternate assessment for students with the most significant intellectual disabilities. The waiver request also addresses federal requirements regarding the use of statewide assessments in federal accountability systems. If USED approves this waiver request, the spring 2021 administration of the statewide assessments will be canceled. 

For additional information on this waiver request, please see the DOE’s February 19, 2021 broadcast memo.

To fill data gaps caused by interrupted statewide assessment administration and to ensure that students are making meaningful growth toward grade-level standards, the DOE will collect data from locally administered assessments that provide a snapshot of student learning during this school year. The DOE will provide additional guidance regarding this data collection later this month. 

In Fall 2021, the DOE will provide all districts with the formative assessment known as Start Strong. Using the lessons learned from the initial administration this past fall, the upcoming and improved Start Strong assessments will better enable districts to collect timely, actionable, standards-based student performance data at the beginning of the school year.  

The DOE will also pilot the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) this fall. The KRA is designed to be administered to incoming kindergarteners, measuring school readiness in the domains of social foundations, language and literacy, mathematics, and physical well-being. Administration of the KRA will provide participating districts with data depicting how prepared their students are for kindergarten. The tool will give educators and families the information needed to adjust, improve, and target teaching and related resources to the needs of their students.

02/17/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 222. The Order extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended in 2020 on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, August 1, August 27, September 25, October 24, November 22, and December 21, and again in 2021 on January 19. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

Executive Order No. 222 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.

02/16/21: Morris County issued a press release announcing that vaccinations in Morris County have surpassed 100,000, which includes a mix of first and second doses, and that Morris County has the 2nd highest vaccination rate in NJ. Nearly 30,000 of those vaccinations have been administered at the Morris County vaccination site in Rockaway Mall, one of 6 county "mega" sites. The expect increasing amounts of vaccines to be allocated to that site, which at full capacity, can vaccinate 2,000 to 2,500 people each day. To register for alerts when appointments at the Morris County site become available, please click here.

02/12/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the launch of a community-based vaccination partnership to provide equitable access of the COVID-19 vaccine to underserved communities throughout New Jersey.

The community-based vaccination sites are supported through a partnership by the New Jersey Department of Health, New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and U.S. Department of Defense, in addition to local faith leaders, nonprofit organizations, local officials, and health departments. The initial phase of the community-based vaccination partnership will include sites in Somerset, Trenton, Elizabeth, Vineland, and Paterson. These cities have been strategically selected as they have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and are some of the most diverse and socio-economically challenged communities in the state. The community-based vaccination partnership will vaccinate 15,000 residents through the end of March and launches on Monday, February 15 at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset.  

In order to ensure equitable access in these high-need cities, these sites will operate as closed points of distribution for members of the immediate community only. Vaccination appointments will be required and will be handled directly through partnering houses of worship, community organizations, and local community leaders. Each site will coordinate with a health partner and vaccine will be dispensed from the State’s allocation. A vaccination support team from the Department of Defense will provide the clinical staffing at the sites and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide non-medical support. Each site will be able to vaccinate approximately 1,500 people per week and vaccinations at each location will take place over a two-week period, followed by a return to administer second doses.  

02/12/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order No. 220, which enables indoor and outdoor youth sporting events to allow parents or guardians to attend practices or competitions. The executive order will take effect immediately. 

Under the executive order, up to two parents or guardians per athlete under the age of 21 will be able to attend indoor or outdoor youth sports practices and competitions. No other spectators are permitted, and even with the parents or guardians, indoor youth sporting events may never exceed 35% capacity or 150 people. All spectators must follow the Department of Health’s sports activities guidance including mask requirements, social distancing guidelines, and staying home when sick. Spectators will be expected to cooperate with contact-tracing efforts. School districts will retain the ability to impose stricter guidelines and not allow spectators, and also have the discretion on whether and when to implement today's policy regarding parents or guardians.

For a copy of Executive Order No. 220, please click here.

02/09/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that, starting today, area residents can access free tax preparation services through a safe and secure online portal designed by United Way of Northern New Jersey to keep clients and preparers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This enables United Way and its partners — the IRS, Norwescap, and Greater Providence Missionary Baptist Church — to continue a long-standing tradition of providing free tax preparation services to low- and moderate-income households.

By visiting https://uwnnj.org/freetaxprep, tax filers can access the easy-to-use online system to have their state and federal tax returns prepared and filed electronically. The system uses secure document uploads, encrypted email communication, and video conferencing. Assistance and forms are available in both English and Spanish.

Not only do United Way’s tax preparers ensure filers receive all eligible deductions and credits, they can also help residents file to receive overdue federal COVID-19 stimulus funds.

The free service is geared for the individuals and families United Way calls ALICE and those in poverty. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed and represents households living paycheck to paycheck, unable to afford life’s necessities. United Way’s most recent ALICE report for New Jersey, released in December 2020, revealed that ALICE households rose by 41 percent between 2007 and 2018.

For more information about United Way’s free, quality tax preparation program, documents needed, and information about common tax credits, visit: https://uwnnj.org/freetaxprep.

02/09/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that, in an effort to aid small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jersey will follow the federal government’s lead in allowing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to be tax exempt at the state level and enable recipients to deduct business expenses that were paid with the tax-exempt loan proceeds, thereby enhancing the tax benefits of the loans.

The PPP was established by the federal CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) last year in response to the economic impact of COVID-19 in order to help small businesses keep employees on their payroll during the pandemic.  

Of the 155,851 loans totaling $17.3 billion that New Jersey businesses received, the vast majority were for smaller businesses:

•        133,961 loans totaling $4.6 billion were for amounts under $150,000; and
•        19,066 loans totaling $6.6 billion were approved for amounts between $150,000 and $1 million.

Under the federal PPP, some or all of the loan may be forgiven if certain conditions are met. While federal law generally considers forgiven loans to be taxable income, the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021,” which reauthorized the program, clarified that the amount of a PPP loan which is forgiven may be excluded from income for federal tax purposes and that expenses covered by PPP loans may be deducted from income for federal tax purposes.  

New Jersey can follow the federal government’s treatment without enabling legislation under existing authority. As a result, for the 2020 tax season, related expenses paid for with PPP loans will be deductible for both Gross Income Tax (GIT) and Corporation Business Tax (CBT) purposes and forgiven loans will be excluded from being subject to either tax.

02/05/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he had signed the following bill into law: S-3340, which expands opportunities for outdoor dining in New Jersey. The bill (S3340) sets forth a framework for municipalities to allow restaurants, bars, distilleries, and breweries to utilize outdoor spaces or public sidewalks as extensions of their business premises. Many municipalities across the state have been taking these steps since the Governor authorized outdoor dining in June 2020.

The bill extends the effective period of permits issued under an ABC special ruling made last summer that allowed licensees to expand the premises where they can serve alcoholic beverages to include outdoor spaces. Restaurants will now be able to maintain the permit through November 30, 2022, or the date at which indoor dining returns to full capacity at restaurants – whichever is later. In a signing statement, Governor Murphy noted that this extension will be automatic for all permitholders. The bill also establishes protocols for municipalities to review and approve outdoor space expansion requests by restaurants without liquor licenses and those with liquor licenses that have not previously obtained expansion permits. 

The legislation also authorizes the ABC to create a seasonal farm market permit to allow a holder of a limited brewery license, restricted brewery license, craft distillery license, plenary winery license, farm winery license, or cidery and meadery license to sell any of the licensee’s products in original containers at a seasonal farm market for off-premises consumption. The permit could be a daily or annual permit.   

For the signing statement, please click here.

02/05/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he had signed the following bill into law: S-2384/A-4129, which requires health care facilities to report certain coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) data related to health care workers and certain first responders

02/04/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release that he signed Executive Order 219, which increases indoor capacity limits from 25 percent to 35 percent for several businesses, including food and beverage establishments and entertainment and recreational businesses, effective Friday, February 5 at 8:00 a.m. The Executive Order also lifts the 10:00 p.m. curfew for in-person indoor restaurant service, however local officials may continue to regulate the hours of operation of indoor restaurant service and indoor operations of other non-essential businesses after 8:00 p.m., as they have been able to since November 12. The prohibition on seating at indoor bar areas remains in effect.

 The Executive Order increases the following indoor capacity limits from 25 percent to 35 percent:

1. Food or beverage establishments, including restaurants, cafeterias, private non-profit clubs, and food courts, with or without a liquor license, and bars;
2. Entertainment and recreational businesses, including casinos and gyms; and
3. Personal care services, including barber shops and nail salons.

The Order will also rescind the previous statewide requirement that food and beverage establishments close their indoor areas to in-person service between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. each day.  Casinos and any other retail, recreational, or entertainment business open to the public may also resume indoor food and beverage service during those hours.

Municipalities and counties will still be permitted to impose hours of operation restrictions on non-essential businesses between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. each day. This includes restrictions on dining in restaurants, although they cannot restrict takeout or delivery services. Municipalities and counties have been able to impose these hours restrictions since November 12 of last year, when Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 195.

Religious ceremonies or services, political activities, wedding ceremonies, funerals, and memorial services that are currently limited to 25 percent of the room’s capacity up to 150 people will now be limited to 35 percent of the room’s capacity up to 150 people. Performances at entertainment centers, including movie theaters and performing arts centers, and concert venues, will similarly be capped at 35 percent up to a maximum of 150 people. Indoor meetings of addiction groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, will also be limited to 35 percent up to 150 individuals.

 The Order will take effect on Friday, February 5 at 8:00 a.m.

02/03/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing an additional $5 million has been allocated to the Small Business Lease - Emergency Assistance Grant Program (SBL-EAGP), which allows businesses in 64 legislatively designated municipalities to apply for grants of up to $10,000 for lease costs. The program, which has already allocated $10 million to roughly 1,000 businesses, assists small business owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

02/03/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release press release announcing an extension of the multi-state suspension of interstate youth hockey competitions for public and private schools and youth hockey leagues through at least March 31, 2021. The prohibition will not impact interstate collegiate, professional, or U.S. national team hockey activities, which will remain subject to existing health and safety protocols and/or restrictions.   The states previously announced a regional suspension through at least January 31, 2021 due to coronavirus outbreaks associated with the conduct of interstate youth hockey activities. As public health data continues to evolve, the states will reassess the need for continued restrictions on interstate sports activities.

01/29/21: Montville Township issued the following press release: 

"Currently, the Morris County Vaccination Mega Site is the central location for providing available COVID-19 vaccine to those who live, work, and study in New Jersey who currently qualify under the State of New Jersey guidelines as eligible recipients:

• healthcare workers, including those working in pharmacies; 
• long-term care residents and staff, including those in prisons and psychiatric hospitals; 
• first-responders; 
• people aged 65 and older; 
• individuals ages 16-64 with serious medical conditions; and 
• smokers.

We want to strongly encourage every Montville Township resident who meets the above mentioned criteria to pre-register for the vaccine, using one of the following methods:

1. NJ State Vaccine Scheduling System (NJVSS): https://covidvaccine.nj.gov/
2. NJ Vaccination Call Center: 1-855-568-0545 for general questions about the vaccine, about vaccination locations, and for assistance pre-registering with NJVSS and making appointments for those who can’t access or have limited access to the internet.
3. Morris County Mega Site: https://atlantichealth.org/covidvaccine

Currently, the demand for the vaccine far exceeds the supply. There are 4 million eligible recipients, and the amount of vaccine received in the state was 100,000 doses each week, and was just recently increased to 130,000 doses each week. This is obviously still not enough vaccine to meet current demand. While there are numerous locations in the state and in our county to administer the vaccine, these sites have no choice but to limit appointments based on the small amount of vaccine they receive each week. The amount of vaccine being received by the state each week is dictated at the state and federal level. Montville Township officials, including the Health Officer, are in daily contact with state and county officials to stay updated on the latest developments, and to advocate on behalf of our community.

We understand and share everyone’s concern regarding the limited amount of vaccine available compared to the number of those seeking it, the rise in positive cases during the ongoing fall/winter surge, and recent news reports of more highly-transmittable variants of COVID-19. In light of these conditions, we again strongly encourage everyone who is an eligible recipient to pre-register with the state and county systems so that they can make an appointment as soon as they become available. We also strongly urge again, as we have since the beginning of the pandemic, for our community to continue to follow recommended health and safety precautions to reduce your risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19: practice social distancing, wear effective face coverings, frequent hand-washing, avoid large in-person gatherings, monitor yourself and those in your household for symptoms, seek testing should symptoms arise, and follow recommended quarantine/isolation guidance when necessary. 

We also recognize that some of our residents are interested in learning more about the COVID-19 cases in our community. In addition to the wealth of state and county level information available at the state’s COVID Dashboard at https://covid19.nj.gov/index.html#live-updates, the Montville Township Health Department reports municipal-level data on their COVID-19 page at https://www.montvillenj.org/402/COVID-19. This page is updated by the Health Department each business day, and contains a variety of data pertaining to the cases here in our community that residents may be interested in. In an effort to reduce mixed communications, since March 2020, we have dedicated the Health Department COVID-19 page to be the central information depot.

One item of data that we have received some inquiries on is the number of deaths due to COVID-19. Please be aware that the Township was advised, well in advance of the pandemic, by the NJ Office of Vital Statistics and Registry (which oversees and regulates all vital statistics information in the state, and which includes births, marriages, and deaths) that municipalities are not to release data on deaths due to any specific cause. The Health Department does report each month the number of people who died within the Township’s boundaries, and the number of Montville Township residents who died (regardless of where that death took place). These two pieces of data are included in the Health Department’s monthly activity reports and COVID-19 summary reports, which are sent to the Township Committee, and presented to the Board of Health at each of their meetings. Copies of these two reports can be found on the Montville website at https://montvillenj.org/347/Board-of-Health. 

From the data reported, it is clear that in April of 2020, there were a much larger number of reported deaths than would have normally been expected, which corresponds with the surge of cases that was experienced in the spring. It is also important to note that the state is reviewing all COVID-19 cases that were reported to have ended in death, as well as all deaths that list COVID-19 as a cause. These reviews can remain open for up to a year, and the number of deaths are subject to change during that review process. 

Any illness or death in our community, whether due to COVID-19 or otherwise, is a cause for concern and sorrow. This pandemic continues to present numerous challenges, but together, will eventually overcome them. We appreciate the community spirit we have witnessed time and again throughout these unprecedented circumstances. Again, and we cannot urge this strongly enough, please pre-register for the vaccine with both the state and county systems, get a vaccination as soon as you are able to, and continue to follow recommended health and safety precautions."

01/28/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center will be closed Saturday and Sunday due to a lack of vaccine supply. 

In anticipation of this supply interruption, Morris County and Atlantic Health System have not scheduled any vaccine appointments for those days, so no appointments will need to be cancelled. The site expects to resume full operation on Monday and has the supply to honor all appointments scheduled for the early part of the week.

Morris County and Atlantic Health System also will use the weekend as an opportunity to expand the facility in anticipation of a future increase in vaccine supplies and one day vaccinating as many as 2,400 individuals per day.

As of Thursday, the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center has distributed more than ten thousand combined doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Those interested in making a vaccine appointment should visit: www.atlantichealth.org/covidvaccine to pre-register and to sign up for appointment alert notifications. These alerts will be sent to pre-registered individuals as vaccine becomes available.

01/28/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the State is extending the health insurance enrollment period for uninsured residents to sign up for coverage through Get Covered New Jersey, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Last year, Governor Murphy requested that the Trump Administration reopen the Affordable Care Act enrollment period in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the administration refused. Today, the Biden Administration announced that it would reopen health insurance enrollment in states that are utilizing the federal marketplace through a Special Enrollment Period.

The state of New Jersey transitioned from using the federally-facilitated marketplace, healthcare.gov, to its own marketplace last year, GetCovered.NJ.gov. The first Open Enrollment Period started November 1, 2020 and ends on January 31, 2021. Operating its own marketplace gives New Jersey more control over the health insurance market and the ability to better respond to the needs of the state, including setting its own Open Enrollment Period and establishing Special Enrollment Periods in response to the state’s needs.

New Jersey will extend the window for eligible uninsured residents to enroll in a health insurance plan through the marketplace or directly from carriers through a COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period through May 15, 2021.

The coverage effective dates will be as follows:

Enroll by February 28, coverage effective March 1;

Enroll by March 31, coverage effective April 1;

Enroll by April 30, coverage effective May 1;

Enroll by May 15, coverage effective June 1.

Residents shopping for health insurance through GetCovered.NJ.gov have access to a new state subsidy — called New Jersey Health Plan Savings – on top of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions available to lower the cost of their health insurance. Eight in 10 consumers purchasing coverage on Get Covered New Jersey qualify for assistance. An individual with an annual income up to of $51,040 and a family of four with an annual income of $104,800 (up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level) will qualify for savings. Because of the availability of state subsidies, the net premium for 2021 is the lowest since the implementation of Healthcare.gov and availability of federal tax credits for individuals receiving financial help. The currently average monthly net premium for those eligible for financial help is $121 a month, compared to $164 a month in 2020, and $148 a month in 2014.

All plans available through Get Covered New Jersey meet the stringent standards of the Affordable Care Act and offer free preventive care, free telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency and for 90 days thereafter, and coverage for emergency services, mental health and substance use services, and more. All plans available through Get Covered New Jersey are also required to cover COVID-19 diagnostic testing and COVID-19 vaccinations without out-of-pocket costs.

After January 31st, New Jerseyans can make updates to health plans or enroll in a new health plan for other reasons, including birth or adoption of a child and pregnancy. More information on Special Enrollment Periods will be available on GetCovered.NJ.gov, where residents can also shop and compare plans and see if they qualify for financial help.

The deadline for New Jersey’s COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period aligns with the enrollment window opened by the federal government under the Biden Administration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All New Jerseyans seeking health insurance are encouraged to sign up by January 31 in order to have coverage in effect on February 1, providing the maximum benefit of health coverage for 2021. To get free help choosing a plan from a trained, certified assister, go to Find Local Assistance on the Get Covered New Jersey website.

01/27/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Board of Commissioners released data today showing, per capita, Morris County is second among all New Jersey counties in the number of vaccinations issued to date, but emphasized the dearth of vaccine supplies in New Jersey is hampering the ability of people in all counties to schedule vaccination appointments.

New Jersey is still receiving only 100,000 vaccinations per week from the federal government and trying to fairly distribute it around the state. Morris County authorities contend establishing the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall with Atlantic Health System and the State of New Jersey guaranteed Morris County would get a share of whatever vaccines are available. 

The latest data compiled today by the state shows Morris County has issued 47,119 vaccines, most being administered through the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination as well as three Shop Rites offering vaccines in Flanders, Cedar Knolls and Lincoln Park and vaccinations provided by Zufall Health and the RMG Urgent Care Center in Ledgewood. That number is on par with vaccinations issued in the larger populated counties of Middlesex and Monmouth and below only the much larger counties of Bergen and Essex.

When vaccinations in each county are compared to the number of their residents, Morris County’s total vaccinations measure more than 8 percent of its total population – ranking second in the state, behind only Cape May with 9 percent.

01/19/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed Executive Order No. 215. The Order extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended in 2020 on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, August 1, August 27, September 25, October 24, November 21, and December 21. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

Executive Order No. 215 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.

For the full text of Executive Order No. 215, click here.

01/13/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing two additional categories of New Jersey residents are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Beginning Thursday, January 14, all New Jersey residents ages 65 and older, and individuals ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus, are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. Those conditions include cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, Down Syndrome, heart conditions, obesity and severe obesity, sickle cell disease, smoking, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Individuals who are pregnant and those in an immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant are also eligible but should follow CDC guidance and first discuss vaccination with their medical provider before receiving the vaccine. In addition to paid and unpaid healthcare workers in Phase 1A, these two groups mark the expansion of eligible residents in Phase 1B, which recently opened to include sworn law enforcement and fire professionals.

01/13/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that veterans and their families who are experiencing a housing crisis may be eligible for emergency assistance such as motel/hotel stays, security deposits, rent, rental arrears, groceries and utilities through Community Hope.

Community Hope’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program is currently providing assistance remotely. Urgent community-based services such as critical supplies and veteran wellness-checks are provided in person.

The increase in support services to veterans and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic is possible thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

To make a referral, please call the referral hotline at 1-855-483-8466 or email SSVF@communityhope-nj.org, or email Gema Diaz at gdiaz@communityhope-nj.org.

Community Hope is a nonprofit that helps individuals, including veterans, and their families, overcome mental illness, addiction, homelessness and poverty. Learn more at communityhope-nj.org .

01/08/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that today the County of Morris and Atlantic Health System joined New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in a huge step forward in the fight against COVID-19 by officially opening the doors to the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center. This facility, housed in a former Sears store at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall, will eventually deliver thousands of doses of vaccine a week in accordance with the phased eligibility system provided by the State of New Jersey.

Currently open to all phase 1A health care workers, law enforcement officers and firefighters, the COVID-19 Vaccination Center or “mega site” will deliver vaccinations using the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. Reservations will be made using an on-line registration form, a link to which can be found at the Atlantic Health System website. Appointments for second doses will be made on-site (the Moderna vaccine requires a second dose approximately four weeks after the initial dose).

To learn how to sign up for an appointment at the Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center go to: www.atlantichealth.org/covidvaccine or https://health.morriscountynj.gov/vaccination/

The first floor, 30,000 square feet of the former Sears store, was converted from shuttered retail space to a vaccination mega site in less than four weeks. Initially able to administer one thousand doses per week (contingent on vaccine supply), the Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center will be open from 7:00am to 2:00pm, Monday through Friday. The goal is to eventually be able to administer 2,400 doses per day (contingent on vaccine supply), from 7:00am to 7:00pm, seven days a week. 

All sworn law enforcement and fire professionals in New Jersey are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which is estimated to include about 55,000 individuals. These first responders are the first individuals in Phase 1B to become eligible for vaccination. EMS professionals, also considered first responders, are already eligible for the vaccine under Phase 1A as health care workers. 

To help ensure the safety of everyone inside, the building features 16 air purifiers that turn over the air every nine minutes. An estimated 100 county workers, Atlantic Health team members, sheriff’s officers and National Guard are on site today and their ranks are expected to expand to 150 when the center is at full capacity (contingent on vaccine supply). 

The Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center is one of six mega sites planned for New Jersey, with other locations in Gloucester County (Rowan College of South Jersey in Sewell – also scheduled to open today), East Rutherford (The Meadowlands), Edison (New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center), Burlington County (The Moorestown Mall) and Atlantic City (The Atlantic City Convention Center).

01/08/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release marking the start of COVID-19 vaccination effort for sworn law enforcement and fire professionals. Governor Phil Murphy, joined by New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, Superintendent of the State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw, and labor officials, today visited the Morris County Regional Vaccination Center to highlight the beginning of New Jersey’s vaccination effort for sworn law enforcement and fire professionals.

01/07/21:  Governor Murphy issued a press release reminding New Jerseyans that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available without cost sharing barriers. Pursuant to the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Agreement, all providers must vaccinate individuals regardless of whether they have health insurance coverage or what type of coverage they have, and are prohibited from balance billing or otherwise charging vaccine recipients. 

Coverage Information

• If you are covered by a private health plan (whether obtained directly through the individual market or through your employer): All group and individual comprehensive health insurance plans must provide coverage for COVID-19 immunization and its administration. During the federal public health emergency, these plans must provide this coverage without cost sharing, regardless of whether the provider is in or out of network. For more information, please contact your insurance provider or visit  https://www.nj.gov/dobi/bulletins/blt21_01.pdf.
• If you are covered by Medicare Part B: The vaccine and the administration of that vaccine will be covered without coinsurance or deductible.
• If you are covered by a Medicare Advantage Plan: Beneficiary copayment, coinsurance and deductible are waived for COVID-19 vaccine and its administration for calendar years 2020 and 2021.
• If you are covered by SHBP or SEHBP: The vaccine and the administration of that vaccine will be covered without coinsurance or deductible for in or out of network providers.
• If you are covered by NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid or CHIP): The vaccine and the administration of that vaccine will be covered without copays for in or out of network providers.
• If you are uninsured: health care providers that participate in the Center for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Program must agree to administer a COVID-19 immunization regardless of an individual's ability to pay or health insurance coverage status, and may not seek reimbursement from the immunization recipient. For information on sites that are providing the vaccine, please visit: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/healthcare-worker-covid-19-vaccine-locations. This site will be updated as more locations are added.

For more information, please visit: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine.

01/06/21:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that the no-cost, COVID-19 testing station inside the Student Center at the County College of Morris (CCM) will be open four days a week, effective this Friday, Jan. 8, 2021.

The tests are available by appointment only, and appointments are being accepted now for testing on Fridays as well as Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No one will be permitted to walk into the facility without an appointment, and appointments must be scheduled on-line through the Morris County COVID-19 Information website.  Proof of residency or proof of employment within Morris County will be required upon arrival at the Student Center for the appointment. While individuals scheduling a test will not be charged for the service, they will be asked to provide information about whether they have health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or no healthcare coverage.

Individuals will be limited to two, no-cost tests per month.

Please monitor the COVID-19 information page on the Morris County website to learn of any changes in the testing schedule at CCM or updates on other testing programs.

Vault Health Saliva Test

The test being made available at CCM is a saliva test provided by Vault Health and developed by Rutgers University. It is as accurate as the nasal swab. The test only detects active COVID-19 infection.  The test will not determine if an individual has antibodies indicating past exposure to COVID-19.

The test is the same as the at-home saliva test that had been offered last month, but discontinued this week.

Anyone who makes an appointment for the test will be required not to eat, drink or chew gum at least 30 minutes prior to having the test administered.

Directions and Precautions

Parking at CCM for people with appointments will be reserved in Lot 6, where individuals using public transportation to and from CCM also may board or disembark from a bus.  To find directions to CCM and learn more about public transportation options to and from the campus, please go to the CCM website.

Everyone arriving at the campus is required to wear a protective face covering or mask from the time they arrive in the parking lot to the time they leave.

01/04/21: The Daily Record reported that Morris County is scaling back its free at-home COVID testing program announced just last month because residents and workers who have requested the mail-to-home saliva-test kits are hoarding them, officials said. County officials will instead direct more funding and resources to the in-person COVID testing program they launched last month at County College of Morris. They will phase out at-home tests for all but homebound, symptomatic residents after this week, or possibly sooner, Murray said. Residents who are symptomatic and unable to leave home may still order at-home tests through the Morris County COVID-19 website. But the only at-home test available after next week will be a federally supported "Pixel" nasal-swab test provided by Labcorp.

01/04/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that to continue supporting our small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, he today signed A-4853/S-3011 to reduce businesses' Unemployment Insurance contribution rate through Fiscal Year 2023. Additionally, the bill will permit nonprofit and governmental employers that elect to make UI payments equal to the full amount of benefits paid to individuals attributable to service in the employ of the nonprofit or governmental employer to reduce their UI benefit payments by fifty percent for the duration of the public health emergency. The bill will result in cost savings to State entities, public institutions of higher education, local governments, and school districts during the pandemic. The short-term savings will be made possible by federal unemployment insurance advances. The recently enacted federal stimulus package extended interest free borrowing of these loans through March 14, 2021. As of December 17, 2020, 20 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands have availed themselves of these loans.

01/04/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed into law A-4182/S-2873, which requires landlords to allow tenant to make rent payment using credit card during COVID-19 pandemic, and vetoed A-4525/S-3128, which would have expanded opportunities for restaurants, bars, distilleries and breweries to provide outdoor dining, and permit certain farms to adjust operations, in response to COVID-19 public health emergency.

01/04/21: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he visited University Hospital's COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at Rutgers Medical School to witness front-line healthcare workers receiving their second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

12/31/20:  Morris County issued a press release indicating it will modify its no-cost COVID-19 testing efforts by next week to focus on the walk-up service provided by appointment-only at the County College of Morris and phase out at-home-tests for all but homebound, symptomatic residents.

Municipal leaders throughout the county were told of the modified testing plan in a conference call yesterday, and they were urged to help the county find transportation alternatives for residents who do not drive, but who otherwise would be able to use the walk-up testing center at CCM. That testing operation was opened at the Student Center in Randolph earlier this month and requires individuals to preregister for a test through the Morris County COVID-19 website.

Individuals who are symptomatic and unable to leave their home will still be able to order no-cost, at-home tests through the Morris County COVID-19 website. But the only at-home test available after next week will be a federally-supported nasal test known as Pixel, which is provided by Lab Corp.

A second at-home test, which is a saliva test offered over the past month through Vault Health, is being phased out. The transition is necessary because more than 50 percent of the people who have ordered the at-home Vault tests have hoarded them, forcing authorities to focus Morris County’s limited COVID-19 testing resources on programs that are not as easily abused.

About 16,300 of the at-home Vault tests have been ordered, yet only 7,500 have been returned with samples for testing. While the Pixel at-home testing is supported through a federal grant, Morris County has fronted the costs of all Vault testing in the county, including the CCM center, a community testing program operated through the Zufall Health and the at-home tests that must now be discontinued.

Morris County has received very limited aid under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to respond to the pandemic. It was one of 12 New Jersey counties left to fund their own COVID-19 pandemic response efforts last spring when $1 billion in direct CARES Act relief dollars was provided to nine other counties to share. The nine counties received from $87 million to as much as $162 million, while the rest of New Jersey received nothing.

The CARES Act direct aid was conditioned on whether a county’s population, based on the 2010 Census, exceeded 500,000 residents. Morris County missed the mark by 7,724 residents, but worked with state and federal representatives, as well as the Governor’s office, to eventually secure more than $7 million in CARES dollars last August to pay for past testing efforts and continue testing programs into the New Year.

12/31/20:  Morris County issued a press release that included information on a COVID-19 Support Group offered by the NJ Hope and Healing Crisis Counseling Program.  The support group is for anyone emotionally impacted by COVID-19. This is a weekly, open, drop-in group.

Wednesdays from 2 – 3 p.m. on Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27.

To join the COVID-19 Support Group, please click this reoccurring link: 

https://zoom.us/j/99243356990?pwd=b0duS3lNU3R4YXd4TE1PVDk0aEIrUT09

OR Dial 1-929-205-6099

Meeting ID: 992 4335 6990

Passcode: 537656

12/31/20: The Asbury Park Press reported that Governor Murphy announced that indoor sports will be allowed to resume, with strict health and safety restrictions, on January 2, 2021. In light of this announcement, Montville Township will also allow Township outdoor recreation activities and facilities to reopen on January 2, 2021, which had been closed since November 17, 2020.

12/30/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing how the state is distributing COVID-19 vaccinations.

The State of New Jersey updated its website information on the state’s phased-in plan for providing COVID-19 vaccinations, emphasizing again that the only people eligible to receive vaccinations at this time are certain healthcare workers.

Vaccinations are not yet available for the general public.

The updated information on who is currently eligible for the vaccine and when different groups in New Jersey will become eligible may be found at the New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub.

The state also has two specific links important to health care workers looking to:

1. Register for the vaccine or determine if they qualify at this phase in the plan
2. Check locations where health care workers may receive the vaccination

Vaccinations in New Jersey began on Dec. 15 at hospitals, targeting paid and unpaid persons serving in their health facilities.  Under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines being following by the state, vaccinations are being phased-in with a priority given to key healthcare workers and other professionals.

Governor Phil Murphy explained again this week that demand for vaccines is much higher than supplies.

Information released earlier this week by the state noted that New Jersey is partnering with Rite Aid to provide vaccinations to home care and hospice staff. Information about scheduling appointments is being provided through home health agencies and their industry associations.

As of December 28, through the Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program with CVS and Walgreens, New Jersey has nearly 300 long-term care facilities scheduled for vaccinations. That includes the state’s three veterans memorial homes and means over 83,000 residents and staff are slated to receive vaccinations through the beginning of February 2021.

Additional sites will be added in the coming weeks.

New Jersey’s plan is to roll out COVID-19 vaccines step-by-step to serve all adults who live, work, or are being educated in the state. While the State’s current plan is highlighted below, the plan will continually be updated in response to the changing circumstances of the pandemic.

 New Jersey’s goal is to vaccinate 70 percent of the adult population – or 4.7 million adults – within six months.

Vaccination Phases

Currently, vaccines are available to those who are in Category 1A which includes paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials and long-term care residents and staff.

Once vaccine availability expands, those in Category 1B will begin receiving vaccines. Individuals who fall into Category 1B include persons 75 years and older as well as frontline essential workers who are in sectors essential to the functioning of society and are at a substantially higher risk of exposure to COVID-19.

The next category of individuals, Category 1C, are adults 65 and over and adults with underlying medical conditions.

After these phases are complete, the general public will be eligible for vaccination.

Vaccine Distribution

New Jersey was awarded over 400,000 vaccines in the month of December. Of that, approximately 120,000 doses have been reserved for long-term facilities and 280,000 doses have been allocated to hospitals and community sites.

New Jersey was awarded over 400,000 vaccines in the month of December. Of that, approximately 120,000 doses have been reserved for long-term care facilities, and 280,000 have been allocated to hospitals and community sites.

After nursing home residents and staff are vaccinated, CVS and Walgreens will begin to vaccinate thousands of residents and staff in other congregate settings including Assisted Living facilities, the five state developmental centers, federal housing for seniors and group homes and other long-term residential facilities. New Jersey also has a network of community vaccination sites for vulnerable residents who live in congregate settings not eligible for this federal partnership.

Six mega sites throughout New Jersey will serve as vaccination hubs for phased priority groups, part of a critical network of over 200 sites tasked with carrying out the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan fairly and equitably:

• Atlantic County: Atlantic City Convention Center
• Bergen County: Racetrack at Meadowlands, East Rutherford
• Burlington County: Moorestown Mall
• Gloucester County: Rowan College of South Jersey, Sewell
• Middlesex County: New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, Edison
• Morris County: Rockaway Townsquare

The six state-coordinated sites are not open, but are expected to begin opening in early January and will immediately be in position to vaccinate front-line healthcare workers and then continue in a phased approach depending on the supply of vaccine to New Jersey. After these phases are complete, then the general public will be eligible for vaccination. The timing of the progression among the groups depends on the supply of vaccine to the state.

The New Jersey Department of Health will announce an online portal to enable the various groups in the initial phases and eventually the general public to find a vaccination site and register and schedule an appointment. Some vaccination sites may offer walk-up or on-site registration as well.

More information from the state about New Jersey's Vaccination Plan can be found here and here: COVID-19 Vaccination webpage.

NJ Department of Health is finalizing a public dashboard which will show the number of doses administered and some demographic information. Data will be updated weekly and refined over time. 

How much vaccine New Jersey will receive will depend on several factors, including the population of essential and healthcare workers, current spread or prevalence of the disease, and vaccine availability. 

12/30/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing with several other nearby states an extension of the suspension of interstate youth hockey competitions for public and private schools and youth hockey leagues through at least January 31, 2021. The prohibition will not impact interstate collegiate, professional, or U.S. national team hockey activities, which will remain subject to existing health and safety protocols and/or restrictions. The states previously announced a regional suspension through at least December 31, 2020 due to coronavirus outbreaks associated with the conduct of interstate youth hockey activities. As public health data continues to evolve, the states will reassess the need for continued restrictions on interstate sports activities.

12/30/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed into law A-4589/S-2597, which extends the time period during which seasonal retail consumption license holders may sell alcoholic beverages following the COVID-19 pandemic.

12/29/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that COVID-19 vaccinations are underway for residents and staff of the State’s three veterans memorial homes. Residents and staff of the Paramus Veterans Memorial Home began receiving vaccinations yesterday and vaccinations are scheduled to begin over the course of the next week at the Menlo Park and Vineland Veterans Memorial Homes as part of the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program with CVS and Walgreens.

Under the federal Pharmacy Partnership Program, residents and staff who so choose will be vaccinated for COVID-19 at the Paramus, Vineland, and Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Homes. Vaccinations began on December 28 in Paramus, and will begin on January 1 and 5 in Vineland and Menlo Park, respectively. Residents and staff will receive the 2^nd dose of the vaccines three weeks after the first dose. 

12/28/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release marking the launch of New Jersey’s vaccination effort of residents and staff of long-term care facilities. The vaccinations are being administered pursuant to the Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), CVS, and Walgreens to facilitate on-site COVID-19 vaccination services. Through the Federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, New Jersey already has 291 long-term care facilities scheduled and over 83,000 residents and staff slated to receive vaccinations through the beginning of February 2021, with more sites to be added in the coming weeks.

12/24/20:  Governor Murphy issued a statement concerning testing requirements for United customers with flights originating in the U.K.  In the statement, he indicated that, beginning Monday, December 28, all United customers with flights originating in the U.K. will be required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 72 hours of departure for incoming flights to Newark Liberty International Airport. 

Background:

1. This impacts customers over the age of 5 originating travel from the UK;  individuals connecting in LHR onto a United flight from another country would be exempt.
2. For the month of December, United is operating 4 daily flights from London Heathrow to its hubs in Chicago, Newark, Washington and San Francisco.
3. In January 2021, United will operate 2 daily flights from London Heathrow to its hubs in Newark and Chicago.
4. Customers will be asked to show proof of a negative molecular COVID-19 test (such as PCR or LAMP), or antigen test, taken within 72 hours prior to departure from London Heathrow.

Same-day, pre-flight rapid tests are also available for ticketed passengers at the Collinson testing center located in Terminal 2 at London Heathrow. 

12/23/20:  Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris has scheduled a Zoom meeting next week to inform parents of school age children of the warning signs of suicide, after launching a school-based prevention program that sparked wide community interest. 

The Zoom meeting, set for 6 p.m. Dec. 30, 2020, follows a collaborative effort by the Morris County Board of Freeholders and the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris to introduce a universal, school-based suicide prevention program for middle and high school aged students who may be feeling stress and isolation during the current COVID-19 restrictions. News of school districts being invited to learn more about the school-based program earlier this month prompted many residents to request that parents also be provided information on understanding signs of suicide. 

To join the Dec. 30 Zoom meeting, “Suicide Prevention: Presentation for Parents of School Age Children,” parents are being asked to RSVP by email to: tklingener@mhaessexmorris.org.

The session follows a series of presentations made to school personnel earlier this month. Freeholder Kathryn DeFillippo, the board liaison to Human Services agencies and programs, sent a letter to school superintendents throughout Morris County inviting them to assign three key school district personnel, ranging from counselors and teachers to administrative staff, to learn more about the program through virtual presentations that began on Dec. 1. 

Following a June 2020 survey of 5,412 people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in August that one in four young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 said they had considered suicide because of the pandemic. The survey indicated a general spike in anxiety and substance abuse among the respondents, with more than 40 percent saying they experienced a mental or behavioral health condition connected to the COVID-19 emergency.

12/21/20:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order No. 210, which extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, August 1, August 27, September 25, October 24, and November 21. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

Executive Order No. 210 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.

12/18/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Board of Freeholders today issued the following statement regarding Governor Phil Murphy’s announcement that Morris County, Atlantic Health System and the State of New Jersey will establish a “Mega COVID-19 Vaccination Center” in commercial space located in Rockaway Township.

“We are proud to be partners with Atlantic Health System and the State of New Jersey in this very important effort to stem the devastating tide of COVID-19. By launching this massive vaccination center in our backyard, we will bring the vaccine not only to Morris County residents, but also to our neighbors and families throughout North Jersey as we continue to fight this deadly virus.  This is a unique opportunity for Morris County to help bring the vaccine to thousands of people daily and to be an integral part of a national endeavor that, we pray, will one day restore normalcy to the daily lives of all Americans.  We are truly thankful to have found such supportive partners in this effort as Atlantic Health and the State of New Jersey, and we look forward to moving expeditiously on this plan.” 

It is important to note that federal and state guidelines for the issuance of COVID-19 vaccinations require that vaccinations be provided first to individuals in long-term care facilities and direct care givers. The next level of vaccinations will involve first responders.

This facility is not yet open and, when established, will not be open to the general public until future notice. No one will be permitted to walk in to the facility without authorization and no vaccine will be provided to individuals who show up unannounced.

For more information on the “mega-sites,” read the New Jersey Department of Health press release.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccinations, go to the New Jersey Department of Health vaccine information page.

12/16/20: The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) issued Executive Directive 20-035, which implements the New Jersey Vaccine Education and Prioritization Plan. More information on the Executive Directive, the COVID-19 vaccine, and how it will be distributed in New Jersey can be found at the NJDOH COVID-19 Vaccination page at: https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/covid2019_vaccination.shtml.

12/15/20: In response to the Board of Health’s request, our Health Officer Aimee Puluso produced a report titled "Epidemiology Analysis of COVID-19 Cases Per Zip Code". This analysis was presented to the Board of Health during their regular meeting held on December 14, 2020.

12/15/20: St. Clare's Health announced their "Let's Talk Health" online series, which presents the most accurate and current information on COVID, vaccines, and healthcare from medical experts. Those interested can watch the video online on January 7, 2021 at 7pm on Saint Clare's Facebook page, and can submit questions prior to SCNJCommunications@primehealthcare.com.

12/15/20:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he visited University Hospital’s Vaccine Clinic at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School to mark the historic beginning of New Jersey’s vaccination effort and witness the administration of the first COVID-19 vaccinations to the state’s frontline health care workers.

The federal government has allocated 76,050 first doses to New Jersey for the first tranche of the Pfizer-BioNTech (ultra-cold chain) vaccine, which began arriving at acute care hospitals Monday morning. New Jersey will roll out COVID-19 vaccines step-by-step to serve all adults who live, work, or are being educated in the state. Phasing will ensure that limited vaccines are distributed in a fair and equitable manner. Phase 1A of the plan, which captures approximately 650,000 people, includes healthcare workers who are paid and unpaid persons serving in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials. Acute care hospital workers at highest risk of exposure to COVID-19 will be the first to receive the vaccine.

The Department of Health issued guidance to the all acute care hospitals last week to help prepare for vaccine deployment.

Six acute care hospitals across the state— AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Cooper University Hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center, Morristown Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and University Hospital— are receiving doses this week of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. By the end of the week, vaccines should be available at an additional 47 acute care hospitals that can manage the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which requires ultra-cold chain storage.  While acute care hospitals will be the only points of dispensing during the first week of vaccine availability, the network will expand to additional sites like Federally Qualified Health Centers, local health departments, county sites, urgent care clinics, and pharmacies in December, pending vaccine availability.  

Phase 1A will also include long-term care residents, who are adults who live in facilities that provide a range of services, including medical and personal care, to persons who are unable to live independently. Long-term care facilities will be served on-site through a pharmacy partnership supported by the CDC.

In advance of administration of the first doses in New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Health’s COVID-19 Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) reviewed the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s usage guidance for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. The PAC includes New Jersey-specific experts representing both geographic and professional diversity. The current membership includes state officials, epidemiology and immunization experts, public health professionals, health systems and health practitioners, local health champions, infectious and chronic disease providers, ethics and legal experts, equity and inclusion leaders, academics, and health quality advisors.

12/11/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing they will open a no-cost COVID-19 testing center inside the Student Center of County College of Morris (CCM) for those who live and work in Morris County. The tests will be made available by appointment only, and appointments are being accepted now for testing on Monday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 19.  After next week, appointments for the testing at CCM will be scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

No one will be permitted to walk into the facility without an appointment, and appointments must be scheduled on-line through the Morris County COVID-19 Information website.  Proof of residency or proof of employment within Morris County will be required upon arrival at the Student Center for the appointment. While individuals scheduling a test will not be charged for the service, they will be asked to provide information about whether they have health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or no healthcare coverage.

Individuals will be limited to two, no-cost tests per month, whether they receive the tests at the CCM facility or through the at-home testing program currently available to Morris County residents and workers through the county’s COVID-19 information website.

Please monitor the COVID-19 information page on the Morris County website to learn of any changes in the testing schedule at CCM or updates on other testing programs.

Vault Health Saliva Test

The test being made available at CCM is a saliva test provided by Vault Health and developed by Rutgers University. It is as accurate as the nasal swab. The test only detects active COVID-19 infection.  The test will not determine if an individual has antibodies indicating past exposure to COVID-19. Anyone who makes an appointment for the test will be required not to eat, drink or chew gum at least 30 minutes prior to having he test administered.

Directions and Precautions

Parking at CCM for people with appointments will be reserved in Lot 6, where individuals using public transportation to and from CCM also may board or disembark from a bus. To find directions to CCM and learn more about public transportation options to and from the campus, please go to the CCM website. Everyone arriving at the campus is required to wear a protective face covering or mask from the time they arrive in the parking lot to the time they leave.

12/11/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing a $2.5 million grant to implement, scale-up, and enhance evidence-based interventions that accelerate students’ academic progress and reduce learning loss among New Jersey students that has resulted from school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The “Addressing Student Learning Loss” grants will fund programs in public schools, including charter and renaissance schools across 16 districts. These 16 districts will receive up to approximately $156,500 per award using funding that the New Jersey Department of Education (Department) set aside in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds for targeted initiatives.

While districts throughout New Jersey have been implementing programs with local, state, and federal funds to accelerate learning, the new grant program will allow districts to expand existing programs or implement new initiatives. The Department will showcase the successful model programs as exemplars that other districts may want to emulate.

The grant will fund evidence-based interventions or instructional strategies in math and/or English language arts, and/or social-emotional learning supports to address learning loss. The grant also provides recommended strategies that schools may choose to adopt during the 17-month initiative, which could take the form of programs such as extensive individual or small group tutoring or interventions, after-school or summer programs, access to online learning platforms, or coaching for teachers.

Interested applicants have until January 21, 2021 to apply for the grant. The full Addressing Student Learning Loss grant can be viewed on the Department’s Grant Opportunities webpage.

12/09/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Office on Aging, Disabilities, and Community Programming has partnered with Atlantic Health System to provide and administer flu shots to homebound seniors and adults with disabilities at no cost to the recipients.

Supplies are limited, and to qualify for a shot recipients must be Morris County residents, homebound, 60 years of age or older, or a homebound individual with a disability who is between the ages of 18 and 59.  Flu shots are important to populations such as seniors and people with disabilities, who are more vulnerable to the flu, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also contends flu shots are this year are critical. The flu shots are part of an ongoing effort in Morris County to connect seniors and adults with disabilities to community resources during the pandemic. Providing at home services is especially important for seniors during the pandemic because it minimizes the potential their exposure to the virus.  Offering the option to have the flu shot administered by a trusted partner such as Atlantic Health also allows for a sense of relief for those who are unable to get to a provider.

To request an appointment for a flu shot, call Solangel Patarroyo at 973-971-7259 or reach out through email at:  Solangel.Patarroyo@atlantichealth.org.

12/05/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing the launch of its at-home, no-cost COVID-19 testing program today for Morris County residents and people who work in Morris County, as the number of new cases continues to increase in correlation with a statewide spike in the virus.

A portal through which qualified Morris County residents and workers can apply for testing materials to be sent to their homes may be found on the Morris County’s Office of Health Management COVID-19 information page: https://health.morriscountynj.gov/coronavirus/#testing. 

People applying to receive the home tests will reach a landing page informing them of two available tests – one involving saliva and one nasal, both of which are laboratory-confirmed PCR tests (not rapid antigen tests) – and directing them to select one.

The tests are available ONLY to Morris County residents and people who work in Morris County, and applicants will be required to provide information on where they reside. Those who work in Morris County, but do not live in the county, will be required to submit additional proof of where they are employed such as an employee identification card or the employer’s contact information.

Once that information is confirmed by Morris County staff, an email will be sent to the applicant with further instructions.

Applicants will also be asked to provide information about their private health insurance, Medicaid and Medicare coverage, but will not be billed for the tests. Anyone who is not insured must indicate so on the on-line application, but the test still will be completed at no cost.

The nasal swab test, which is restricted to individuals who are age 18 and older, is a test already available to the public through LabCorp, and it is known as their Pixel test. It currently is restricted to people with symptoms of COVID-19 infection. It will be shipped overnight to individuals, who will be asked to follow directions on how to take a sample and return-mail it in a prepaid package. An applicant must have a personal email account, and results generally are available within 48 hours of receipt by the testing company.

The saliva test, provided by Vault Health, was developed by Rutgers University. It too will be shipped to an individual’s home overnight. There is no age restriction, but the testing must be conducted under the supervision of an online Vault test supervisor via Zoom Video Conference. It requires access to a personal, family or friend’s online Zoom account, and the applicant must have a personal email account.

Anyone who tests positive should quarantine and will be directed to contact his or her healthcare provider. Additionally, anticipate a call from a health department official for contact tracing to determine if anyone else was exposed.

12/05/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Administrative Order 2020-24, which clarifies that indoor entertainment centers where a performance is viewed or given, including a movie theater, performing arts center, and other concert venues, may host a performance in an adjacent outdoor area with a maximum capacity equivalent to the facility’s indoor capacity permitted under Paragraph 6 of Executive Order No. 196 (2020). The order will take effect immediately.

12/05/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 207, which automatically enrolls residents who choose to receive a COVID-19 vaccine into the state’s existing vaccine registry. The Governor’s Executive Order changes inclusion into the New Jersey Immunization Information System from an opt-in to an opt-out program for residents who elect to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. That group of residents will be automatically enrolled into the system, and will then be permitted to opt-out of the registry 30 days after the public health emergency expires. 

Currently, all individuals born on or after January 1, 1998 are automatically enrolled in the registry, unless they opt-out of the registry. Any individual born prior to January 1, 1998 can elect to opt-in to the registry.  

Automatic enrollment in the state's existing vaccine registry system for those who choose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine ensures that keeping accurate vaccination records is as easy and streamlined as possible, which is especially important when two doses of a vaccine are required.

“Accurate accounting of every dose of vaccine is vital to monitoring implementation progress of New Jersey’s vaccination plan,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “The system will also allow us to ensure residents are returning for the second dose of vaccine.”

12/04/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed legislation (A4852) expanding eligibility for extended UI benefits to claimants who either had been eligible for regular UI benefits prior to exhausting those benefits or earned 40 times their unemployment weekly benefits rate. Per prior law, eligibility for extended UI benefits, which offer up to an additional 20 weeks of benefits, was limited to claimants who satisfied both criteria.

Claimants of Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program benefits are entitled to 26 weeks of regular unemployment in New Jersey. The CARES Act offers up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits through the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program. After claimants exhaust their 26 weeks of State unemployment plus 13 weeks of federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, claimants are eligible for extended benefits. Twenty weeks of extended benefits are available during “high unemployment periods.” The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced on July 1 that it would begin providing 20 weeks of extended unemployment to New Jersey workers who have exhausted their State and federal jobless benefits. The additional 20 weeks of benefits brings to 59 the maximum number of weeks an eligible claimant may receive unemployment benefits.

Under prior State unemployment law, a claimant qualifies for extended benefits, only if the claimant had been eligible for regular UI benefits prior to exhausting those benefits and was paid wages during the base year of the claimant’s applicable benefit year 40 times the claimant’s weekly benefit rate. A4852 permits the claimant to be eligible for the extended benefits if the claimant had been eligible for regular UI benefits prior to exhausting those benefits or earned 40 times their unemployment weekly benefit rate.

12/03/20: TAP into Montville reported that First Night Morris will be offering live, virtual entertainment on New Years Eve to ring in 2021.

The event will showcase 100 artists in dance, theater, comedy, music visual arts, world cultures, kids programs, and a midnight countdown. All shows will be presented live, virtual and on demand. Organizers are promising a "dazzling Light Up the Night Virtual Show" at 9:15pm and midnight to welcome in the new year. 

Admission is offered in three levels ranging from $10 per ticket to $30 per ticket, and can be purchased directly from First Night Morris at their website: https://fn2021.firstnightmorris.com/.

12/03/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing counseling and discussion groups for anyone affected by COVID-19. 

The Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris is offering three options for emotional support, guidance, information, referrals, and COVID-19 resources for anyone who has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Services are free, confidential, and virtual or by phone.  

The program serves anyone from a school-age child to an adult, or senior citizen. Anyone impacted by COVID-19 can participate. Examples of people who may benefit from the program include:

• Parents who are home-schooling their children
• Children who are adjusting to homeschooling or hybrid learning
• Teens or college students who are not attending school or on campus learning regularly
• Senior citizens who are cut off from families due to health concerns
• Essential workers who are constantly at risk due to exposure
• Anyone who has lost their job, a loved one, or the opportunity to celebrate an achievement or milestone

1. "Holiday Discussion Group", on Zoom, Mondays from 5-6 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/99093083986?pwd=cHUzSCt2cmhwOUZXUTJ2ckpRQmxjUT09,
Meeting ID: 990 9308 3986
Password: 384926

2. "Connection is Just a Click Away Discussion Group", on Zoom, every Wednesday from 2-3 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/99243356990?pwd=b0duS3lNU3R4YXd4TE1PVDk0aEIrUT09
Meeting ID: 992 4335 6990
Password: 537656

3. Individual Crisis Counseling Program for people feeling anxious about COVID-19: free, confidential and virtual. Just call 973-509-9777, ext 171 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m, or email Gpalmer@mhaessexmorris.org.

The Mental Health Association of NJ is also offering two free, virtual, and confidential NJ Hope and Healing emotional support helplines:

1. During the COVID-19 pandemic, your mental health is vital. For free emotional support from trained staff, call the NJ Mental Health Cares Helptline at 866-202-HELP (4357), or text NJHOPE to 51684, 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm.

En Espanol: Durante la pandemia de COVID-19, su salud mental es vital. Solicite apoyo emocional gratuito de personal capacitado; 7 dias por semana de 8am a 8pm. 866-202-Help (4357).

2. A free emotional support helpline during COVID-19 for people who are deaf and hard of hearing is also available. Sign language users can communicate with ACCESS of St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson. Call 973-870-0677 VP, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

12/03/20: The Montville Township Committee reopened the Dog Park with strict protective health and safety measures.

12/02/20: Montville Township issued a press release announcing:

"It has come my attention as the Township Administrator that there were some concerns about our COVID-19 safety protocols when entering the municipal buildings.  First, I would like to clearly state as the Township Administrator and Office of Emergency Management Coordinator, that it is my responsibility to run the Township on a day-to-day basis.  Our Mayor and Township Committee are not here on a day-to-day basis; however, they are very involved and aware of how we run our operations. Secondly, for anyone who knows me professionally, I take my job very serious, especially the safety and well-being of every resident of Montville Township.  I am certainly anything but indifferent when it comes to our residents as well as our Township employees’ safety.  

For the record, let me briefly outline the protocols we have in place for our employees working in our municipal buildings: 

• Each morning, our employees are required to complete the Employee COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire prior to entering any Township building or facility.
• If, in answering the questionnaire, there is an affirmative answer to any of the questions, the employee is required to contact the Montville Township Health Officer who will then commence a review of the circumstances which will determine whether said employee has to quarantine themselves or be able to enter the building to work.
• All employees within the Township buildings and facilities are required to follow all of the COVID-19 safety protocols such as wearing their masks when they are outside their work area; to always maintain the appropriate safety distance from both co-workers and the public; and to always have their mask on when moving about the municipal building and facilities.
• We have COVID-19 safety protocols in place when the public enters our buildings.   If, for any reason those protocols are in question, we will not allow said individual to enter the building.  

A lot of time and thought has gone into implementing and enforcing these safety protocols, all designed to protect the employees of Montville Township as well as the public at large.  While we have tried our best to adhere to all of these safety measures, we are not perfect, as human beings, and at times, people are forgetful of the rules, but we try our best to recognize those weaknesses and address them accordingly.   

In closing, as the Township Administrator, if a resident has unfortunately experienced an instance when these safety protocols were not adhered to, I can only offer my apologies and assure you that I take these matters very serious and will address them accordingly with the hope that they never happen again.   

Happy Holidays and a safe and prosperous New Year. 

Sincerely, 

Victor M. Canning, Township Administrator 

P.S., As your Township Administrator, I am always accessible if you ever need to reach out to speak with me about anything that may concern you."

11/30/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 204, which pauses indoor practices and competitions for youth and adult sports from Saturday, December 5 at 6:00 a.m. through Saturday, January 2, 2021. The EO also lowers the outdoor gatherings limit from 150 people to 25 people, effective Monday, December 7 at 6:00 a.m.

Indoor Youth and Adult Sports

Indoor sports practices and competitions, including group, competitive and/or organized sporting activities for youth and adults, will be prohibited starting Saturday, December 5, at 6:00 a.m. until Saturday, January 2, 2021. This prohibition will not impact collegiate and professional sporting activities.  Private fitness classes, lessons, and trainings at gyms, studios and similar locations are permitted to continue.

Outdoor Gatherings

Wedding ceremonies, funerals, memorial services, and religious and political activities are not subject to the outdoor gatherings limit. All other types of gatherings, such as a high school football game or an outdoor concert, will be limited to 25 individuals.  Athletes, coaches, referees and other individuals necessary for a professional or collegiate sports competition are not counted towards the 25-person limit.  

For other adult and youth sports occurring outdoors, the number of individuals necessary for a game or practice can exceed the 25-person limit, but only if no individuals who are not necessary for the event, such as spectators, are present.

Outdoor gatherings continue to be subject to strict social distancing restrictions, including the requirement to wear masks whenever it is not possible to social distance.

Addiction Support Groups

Indoor meetings of addiction groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, are not limited to 10 individuals, but will instead be limited to 25 percent of the capacity of the room in which they take place, up to a maximum of 150 individuals.

11/25/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the NJ Department of Community Affairs issued guidance for restaurants and similar establishments on the utilization of outdoor space during the winter months.

In addition to the Uniform Construction Code, the International Code Council’s “Considerations for Converting Outdoor Spaces into Temporary Seating Spaces” provides supplemental guidance and should be utilized.  This guidance notes the applicable sections of the International Building and Fire Codes that would apply as adopted by the UCC.  It can be accessed at: https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/20-19250_GR_Outdoor_Seating_Code_RPT_FINAL_HIRES.pdf.

Previous guidance for Outdoor Dining and UCC/UFC permit issuance can be found at https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/alerts/covid19.html.

Establishments can direct questions to DCA’s Code Assistance Unit at (609) 984-7609.

11/25/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 203, which postpones all special school elections from January 26, 2021 to the March 2021 special school election date. Additionally, this executive order modifies Executive Order No. 193 such that notices in lieu of sample ballots for the Perth Amboy runoff election are mailed as “return service requested”, as required by current law.

11/25/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release with a statement on NJ Travel Advisory Guidance: “As COVID-19 cases continue to rise at an alarming rate throughout our nation, New Jersey will no longer utilize previously outlined metrics to inform its travel advisory. Given the increased risk of spreading COVID-19 for both residents who travel outside the state and for visitors into the state, New Jersey continues to strongly discourage all non-essential interstate travel at this time. Travelers and residents returning from any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging for the CDC recommended period, which is currently 14 days. The Department of Health will issue additional information in the coming days regarding travel precautions. Individuals should continue to abide by the state’s current guidance until a new policy is issued.”

11/24/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that NewBridge Services and Christian Health Care Center are offering a Free Zoom Webinar on "Coping During Covid-19: Dealing with Holiday Stress Amidst a Pandemic" at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Webinar topics include:

• Stress and anxiety related to COVID
• Tips for families on celebrating safely
• Managing Holiday Stress
• Ways to Cope – Strategies, Tools and Resources

The virtual presentation will give some ideas on how to mitigate holiday stress which is now compounded by Covid and restrictions, said Beth Jacobson of NewBridge Services, who will be one of the presenters. Alternative ways of celebrating, mindfulness practices will be discussed. They will also share hotline numbers for anyone who is really struggling to cope.

Join this informative event! To register go to: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/holidaystresswebinar

For more information, contact Beth Jacobson at (973) 686-2242 or ejacobson@newbridge.org.

11/23/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that County College of Morris has both federal and state grant funds to help students stay on track with their higher education. Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars are available for students who are currently registered at CCM to cover a wide range of expenses so they can move forward with a high-quality education. Those dollars can be used by those impacted by the pandemic to cover such expenses as tuition, technology, housing, child care and more. Those who previously received CARES funds also may apply again due to continued pandemic related hardship. To review eligibility requirements and to apply, go to www.ccm.edu/admissions/financialaid/ccmcares-studentemergencygrant/.

11/22/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 200, which extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, August 1, August 27, September 25, and October 24. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

Executive Order No. 200 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.

11/21/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Administrative Order 2020-23, which clarifies that athletes, coaches, referees, trainers, and other individuals necessary to the performance of an outdoor high school sporting event are not included in the total number of individuals present at the gathering for purposes of the limit on outdoor gatherings. The order will take effect immediately and sunset on Monday, November 30, 2020.

11/20/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 198, which extends certain election-related deadlines. The EO extends the deadline by which counties must certify the results of the election from Friday, November 20, to Wednesday, November 25 for those counties that are unable to meet the initial deadline because COVID-19 has had a significant impact on their boards of election staff and facilities, with only Ocean and Salem counties being eligible.  The EO also extends, for all counties, the date by which statutorily-required election audits must occur, from Friday, December 4 until Friday, December 11.

11/19/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Delaware Governor John Carney, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker today announced they will encourage residential colleges and universities in their respective states to provide testing for all students traveling home for Thanksgiving break to the maximum extent possible before they leave campus. Any student who tests positive will be encouraged to isolate on campus before they can travel or detail arrangements of their safe travel home with the local department of health. These efforts will help mitigate the threat of college students returning home for the holidays importing COVID-19 into their communities. In addition, colleges should inform students and their families of relevant quarantine policies in their home state.  

For a copy of the full New Jersey Department of Health guidance for college and university students traveling home for winter break, please click here.                  

11/17/20: Montville Township issued a press release announcing that:

"Along with the rest of the state, and the nation, we are experiencing a steep increase in the number of COVID-19 cases here in Montville Township. Additionally, the average age of cases has decreased dramatically over the past two months, indicating a higher percentage of cases occurring among children and young adults. The increase among these younger age groups has a direct correlation to a variety of outside group activities.

Accordingly, out of an abundance of caution to protect the well-being of our entire community, with the input of the Health Department, the Recreation Department, and Administration, the following decision has been made by the Township:

Effective November 17th, Montville Township is suspending all outdoor Township recreation programs, and closing the community basketball courts, playing fields, playgrounds, pavilions, and Dog Park. Please note that this was a very difficult decision, but it has been made for the protection of public health and safety concerns, and to further mitigate the increase of Covid-19 cases Montville Township is currently experiencing. 

We greatly appreciate your cooperation in taking the appropriate steps to notify your board members, coaches and players that all outdoor recreational activities will be suspended effective Tuesday, November 17th. Recreation offerings will be re-opened in the future in accordance with all guidance provided by the local health department. 

The walking paths at Camp Dawson and the Community Park will remain open, however, all persons using these walking paths will be required while doing so to wear masks at all times, and to follow all established safety protocols, including maintaining safe social distancing from others also using the paths. The Montville Township Police Department will be patrolling the parks to assist the Parks and Recreation Department in making sure all persons using these walking paths are complying with these directives."

11/17/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 196, which lowers indoor and outdoor gathering limits. Effective Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00 a.m., the indoor gathering limit will decrease from 25 to 10 people. The outdoor gathering limit will decrease from 500 people to 150 people, effective Monday, November 23 at 6:00 a.m.

Indoor Gatherings 

The limit for weddings, funerals, memorial services and religious and political activities remain unchanged and will be limited to 25% of the capacity of the room in which the gathering takes place, up to a maximum of 150 individuals. 

Indoor sporting competitions and practices will be permitted to exceed the 10 person limit only for individuals necessary for the practice or competition, such as players, coaches, and referees, but may not exceed 150 individuals.  For most indoor sports, this will mean that there can be no spectators.

Legislative and judicial proceedings are not subject to the indoor gatherings limits. 

Outdoor Gatherings

Weddings, funerals, memorial services, and religious and political activities are not subject to the outdoor gatherings limit. All other types of gatherings, such as a high school football game or an outdoor concert, will be limited to 150 individuals.  Athletes, coaches, referees and other individuals necessary for a professional or collegiate sports competition are not counted towards the 150 person limit.  

Outdoor gatherings continue to be subject to strict social distancing restrictions, including the requirement to wear masks whenever it is not possible to social distance.

11/16/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the New Jersey Department of Health today issued health and safety guidance for the state’s long-term care facilities, which provides measures for residents who leave the facility for a holiday gathering, including a 14-day quarantine at the conclusion of their visit.

To protect the health of this vulnerable population, the Department strongly recommends against families taking residents out of facilities for holiday celebration events or gatherings. Instead, the Department recommends visitation outdoors or possibly indoors in facilities that meet the requirements for indoor visitation. Long-term care facilities should plan to accommodate increased virtual communications for residents.

“Small family gatherings are a significant driver of increasing cases, and bringing your loved one’s home could put them at risk,” said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “We remain concerned about the number of outbreaks we are seeing in long-term care, so we need to be especially vigilant to protect this population. We continue to partner with the industry to improve quality and infection control in these facilities.”

Long-term care facilities need to develop a plan for holiday visits and gatherings which estimate the number of residents who can be cohorted for a 14-day quarantine period from Nov. 25 through Dec. 31.

Long-term care facilities should create a reservation process tied to the number of individuals the facility can quarantine on their return. Residents who leave the facility for family visits must be quarantined upon return to the facility either in their own room, if they have a private room, or in an observation room.

A waiting list should be created once the reservation list is full. However, residents and families should be informed that residents who leave without a reservation or while on a waiting list may not be guaranteed readmittance to the facility at the end of their visit.

Residents and families must certify that they will follow masking, social distancing and hand hygiene practices, and that they will notify the facility if anyone who attended the holiday gathering tests positive for COVID-19 or exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days of the resident’s visit/stay outside the facility.

11/13/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 195, which permits municipalities and counties to impose additional restrictions on the hours of operation of non-essential retail businesses, food and beverage establishments, and recreation and entertainment businesses after 8:00 p.m. The Order prohibits municipalities and counties from imposing restrictions that prevent dining establishments from arranging for the pickup or delivery of goods or otherwise limiting their scope of operations. The Order will take effect immediately.

Governor Murphy’s Executive Order states that any county or municipal restriction that in any way conflicts with any provision of statewide rules will be invalidated. Examples of such restrictions include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Any additions to or deletions from the list of retail businesses deemed essential or that have been identified as essential through Administrative Orders authorized by the Governor’s Executive Orders;
2. Any limitations imposed on any business’s scope of service;
3. Any density or social distancing requirements;
4. Any orders relating to the gathering of individuals; and
5. General restrictions on the freedom of movement within that county or municipality, including but not limited to the imposition of curfews.

Nothing in the Order shall supersede the provisions of Executive Order No. 108 that currently remain in effect, which includes the ability of municipalities and counties to impose additional restrictions on online marketplaces for arranging or offering lodging and on municipal parks, or the provisions of any other order that explicitly permits municipalities and counties to impose additional restrictions.

11/12/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that seniors and adults with disabilities can pick up one of 500 free emergency supply kits. Each contains four shelf-stable meals and a first aid kit. The distribution will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23, at the Morris County Library, 30 East Hanover Ave., Whippany. Homebound residents can call 973-285-6848 to determine if a kit can be delivered. All Morris County residents who are 60 or over and adults with disabilities qualify.

Navigating Hope, Morris County’s mobile social services vehicle, will be on site during the distribution for anyone who would like more information on county services. Funding for this program was made possible through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

11/12/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he, along with the Governors of Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, will support a regional approach to interstate competitions. As case numbers increase in many states across the country, it is critical that neighboring states coordinate a regional approach to limit further community spread of the virus. 

The seven states will suspend interstate competitions for public and private schools and youth hockey effective this Saturday, November 14, 2020 through at minimum December 31, 2020. The prohibition will not impact interstate collegiate, professional, or U.S. national team hockey activities, which will remain subject to existing health and safety protocols and/or restrictions. 

As public health data continues to evolve, the states will reassess the need for continued restrictions on interstate sports activities. 

11/11/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing a commitment of at least $60 million in additional Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to fulfillment of grants under Phase 3 of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA’s) Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. This funding is in addition to $70 million in federal funds already allocated for the current phase of the program and will enable the NJEDA to fulfill grants for the entire pipeline of eligible businesses that applied for Phase 3 funding prior to the application deadline. Without this supplemental funding, approximately 13,000 of the nearly 22,000 businesses that applied for Phase 3 grants would have been declined based on the program being oversubscribed. In addition to the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program, the NJEDA administers a variety of technical assistance and low-cost financing programs for small and mid-sized businesses impacted by COVID-19. More information about these programs and other State support is available at https://covid19.nj.gov.

11/10/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Board of Freeholders will launch at-home and mobile COVID-19 testing programs for Morris County residents and workers within the next week, as the number of new cases in the county continues to increase in correlation with a spike in the virus statewide.

“Our task force saw weeks ago that our cases were starting to increase, and we asked our Department of Law and Public Safety to begin preparing a plan for new testing in the event a second wave of the pandemic. It appears we are there,” said Freeholder Director Deborah Smith, referring to the Morris County COVID-19 Recovery Task Force formed to develop strategies to assist businesses and communities overcome pandemic impacts.

The purpose of the expanded testing is to:

• Identify Asymptomatic Individuals
• Increase Test Availability for Symptomatic Individuals
• Detect Clusters or Outbreaks
• Provide Trending Data for Proactive Measures

At-Home Testing

The at-home testing will be the first phase, but Morris County is not yet ready to go live with it.

The testing will involve going to the Morris County website and accessing a portal, but the county still is in the process of developing the on-line portal. Please do not call the county or your municipal officials at this point. Once the portal is active, announcements will be made and further information will be shared with the public, media and municipal officials.

"Once the at-home testing is up and running, we will begin mobile testing. Our hope is within the next week or two we will have everything ready. The goal is that there will be no out-of-pocket costs to Morris County residents for this testing," said Scott DiGiralomo, Director of Morris County's Department of Law and Public Safety, who briefed municipal leaders in a phone conference yesterday. 

“The costs will be covered by individual insurance plans, federal aid and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding we were able to secure in August,” said Freeholder Douglas Cabana, the board liaison to Law and Public Safety. “The federal money we received will reimburse Morris County for the response efforts we launched with our own funding at the start of the pandemic, including the drive-through testing station we set up at the County College of Morris. The remaining dollars should help us continue testing through the year.”

The drive-through testing facility will not be reactivated at this time.

The on-line portal for at-home testing will enable individuals to determine whether to order a nasal or a saliva test, and then begin the process of scheduling at-home delivery of testing kits.  Individuals will be required to provide their insurance information, Medicare or Medicaid data, or indicate that they are uninsured. However, no one will be billed for accessing the tests.

The nasal swab, which is restricted to individuals who are age 18 and older, is one already available to the public through LabCorp, and it is known as their Pixel test. It will be shipped overnight to individuals, who will be asked to follow directions on how to take a sample and return-mail it in a prepaid package. Results generally are available within 48 hours of receipt by the testing company.

The other test, provided by Vault Health, is a saliva test developed by Rutgers University. It too will be shipped to an individual’s home overnight. There is no age restriction, but guardians and parents must obtain the sample while participating in a tele-visit by computer or phone with an advisor at Vault. The advisor will guide participants on how to conduct the test and return it through the mail.

At this time, participants are only allowed two (2) tests per month. Anyone who tests positive will be directed to contact his or her healthcare provider and will receive a call from a contact tracer.

Mobile Testing:

Morris County will deploy mobile testing units in cooperation with local health authorities, particularly in areas where outbreaks are being detected or suspected. Vulnerable populations, including people without healthcare, in Dover and Morristown will be among the first targeted for testing in cooperation with Zufall Health Center.

11/10/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes the addition of Maine and New Hampshire, bringing the total to 45 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, November 10, there are currently 45 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; New Hampshire; New Mexico; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon;  Puerto Rico; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Wisconsin; West Virginia; Washington; and Wyoming.  

Due to the interconnected nature of the region and mode of transport between New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, a 14-day quarantine is not reasonable in all instances. Non-essential travel to and from these states, however, is highly discouraged at this time. 

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

11/10/20: Morris County Emergency Management Coordinator Scott DiGiralomo issued Morris County Order Pursuant to a Declaration of Emergency #8, which modifies the Morris County Declaration of Emergency issued on March 19, 22020 to the extent that it is now superceded in relevant part by the terms and conditions enumerated in Executive Order 194, and as modified by Executive Orders 156, 161, and 183, and to note that the County or local municipalities are authorized by the terms of Executive Order 152, paragraphs 6 and 7, to impose any additional conditions that it may deem fit to protect the safety and health of the community as it relates to county or municipal parks.

11/10/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 194, which includes new COVID-19 mitigation measures. The measures include restrictions on seating and hours for restaurants, bars, clubs, and lounges, and prohibition of interstate indoor K-12 and youth sports.

The measures being announced today include:

Restrictions on Hours for Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Lounges, and Casinos –

1. Restaurants, bars, clubs, lounges, and other businesses that serve food or drinks will not be able to operate their indoor premises between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.  Outdoor dining can continue after 10:00 p.m., as can takeout and delivery services. 
2. Casinos will not be able to serve food or drinks between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., with the exception of room service delivered to guest rooms and takeout.  Other casino operations would be unaffected.

Restrictions on Bar Seating, Increased Flexibility for Restaurants –

1. Seating at the physical bar in the indoor areas of bars and restaurants will be prohibited during all operating hours.
2. Due to the impact this may have on restaurants with small seating areas, restaurants will be allowed to have groups at tables indoors that are closer than six feet together, if they are separated by barriers that comply with guidance from the Department of Health. 
3. Restaurants will be allowed to set up plastic domes outdoors, limited to one group each, as additional outdoor dining space.

Restrictions on Interstate Indoor Sports Competitions –

1. All interstate games and tournaments involving indoor sports, up to and including the high school level, will be prohibited. 
2. Collegiate and professional sports will be unaffected.

The measures will take effect on Thursday, November 12th, at 5:00 a.m.

11/04/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advising individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes the addition of Oregon and Washington, bringing the total to 43 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

 As of Wednesday, November 4, there are currently 43 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; New Mexico; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon;  Puerto Rico; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Wisconsin; West Virginia; Washington; and Wyoming.  

Neighboring states Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware now meet the criteria for New Jersey’s travel advisory. Due to the interconnected nature of the region and mode of transport between New Jersey and the three states, a 14-day quarantine is not reasonable in all instances. Non-essential travel to and from these states, however, is highly discouraged at this time. Connecticut is also discouraging non-essential travel to and from New Jersey, but are not mandating that travelers quarantine due to the interconnected nature of the region and economy. Massachusetts will be included on New Jersey's advisory, but not Connecticut’s based on the same criteria. 

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

11/03/20: OneMontville has announced OneMontville Unites, a podcast geared toward empathy, unity and happiness among the community of Montville Township. Entertaining topics are targeted towards having positive, engaging conversations and experiences among neighbors with guest speakers from different pillars of community leadership representing the broadest cross section of viewpoints in the township. Past episodes features interviews with Superintendent of Schools Dr. René Rovtar, Police Chief Andrew Caggiano, and Health Officer Aimee Puluso. The podcast is hosted on Anchor, and can be found by clicking here.

11/02/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Administrative Order 2020-22, which clarifies restrictions on professional and college athletic competitions, indoor mall services, self-service food and drink, and private tutoring facilities. The order will take effect immediately. The order clarifies that athletes, coaches, referees, trainers, and other individuals necessary to the performance of a professional or collegiate sporting event are not included in the number of individuals present at a gathering for purposes of the limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings. The order also permits vending machines and stroller rentals to operate at malls, prohibits self-service food at retail businesses including grocery stores, and opens private tutoring facilities to students and clients.

10/28/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 192, which provides mandatory health and safety standards to protect all New Jersey’s workers at work during the pandemic. The executive order will take the following actions:

Workplace health and safety standards to cover all NJ workers

The executive order will require both private and public sector employers to follow health and safety protocols that will serve to protect their in-person workforces. The Order mandates that as of 6:00 a.m. on November 5th, all employers, at minimum, require individuals at the worksite to maintain at least six feet of distance from others to the maximum extent possible and require employees and visitors to wear masks when entering the worksite, subject to certain limited exceptions.

 Other protocols require employers to:

• Provide approved sanitization materials to employees and visitors at no cost to those individuals;
• Ensure that employees practice hand hygiene and provide sufficient break time for that purpose;
• Routinely clean and disinfect all high-touch areas in accordance with DOH and CDC guidelines;
• Conduct daily health checks, such as temperature screenings, visual symptom checking, self-assessment checklists, and/or health questionnaires, prior to each shift, consistent with CDC guidance;
• Exclude sick employees from the workplace and follow requirements of applicable leave laws; and
• Promptly notify employees of any known exposure to COVID-19 at the worksite.

Collaborative enforcement mechanism to address complaints

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) will support the Department of Health’s efforts to address worker complaints from their employers. NJDOL’s roles will include establishing an intake form on the NJDOL website to receive complaints and developing an investigation and inspection protocol to review complaints.

Training program to inform workers of their rights and to encourage employer compliance

The executive order also directs NJDOL to provide compliance and safety training for employers and employees. The department will provide materials to inform workers of their rights and businesses of their obligations as well as coordinate with workforce training partners to create and provide training.

10/27/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advising individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes the addition of California and Massachusetts, bringing the total to 41 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, October 27, there are currently 41 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; New Mexico; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Wisconsin; West Virginia; and Wyoming.   

Neighboring states Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware now meet the criteria for New Jersey’s travel advisory. Due to the interconnected nature of the region and mode of transport between New Jersey and the three states, a 14-day quarantine is not reasonable in all instances. Non-essential travel to and from these states, however, is highly discouraged at this time. New York and Connecticut are also discouraging non-essential travel to and from New Jersey, but are not mandating that travelers quarantine due to the interconnected nature of the region and economy. Massachusetts will be included on New Jersey's advisory, but neither New York’s or Connecticut’s based on the same criteria.  

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

10/27/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing New Jersey's state COVID-19 vaccination plan, designed to provide equitable access to approved vaccine(s), achieve maximum community protection and build public trust in advance of an approved vaccine(s)

New Jersey submitted its draft COVID-19 vaccination plan to the CDC on Oct. 16th. The plan calls for an all-of-government approach to a wide-scale vaccination program.

An EUA allows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to facilitate the availability of unapproved medical product to be used to prevent serious or life-threatening diseases when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives. The FDA may issue an emergency use authorization for one or more COVID-19 vaccines by the end of the year or the first quarter of next year.

Several vaccines are in Phase 3 clinical trials. Some of the vaccines will require a two-dose regimen, 21-28 days apart.

The initial allotment of vaccine to states is expected to be limited. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has drafted recommendations for the first phase of the vaccination effort, prioritizing health care workers who have the potential for direct exposure and essential workers and individuals at risk, including those 65 and older. It will be up to states to determine the final allocation. The Department of Health anticipates that, following initial rounds of distribution: There will be enough supply to meet demand during Phase II. Phase III will allow open access to the vaccine. How much vaccine New Jersey will receive will depend on several factors including the population of essential and healthcare workers, current spread or prevalence of the disease, and vaccine(s) availability.

The Department of Health has been working to ensure an equitable wide-scale vaccination program since July and established the New Jersey Department of Heath COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force with nine teams. The Task Force is chaired by Dr. David Adinaro, Deputy Commissioner for Public Health Services.

In addition, a Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) meets weekly to monitor the progress of vaccines development and ensure that all discussions are made through the lens of equity. Commissioner Persichilli convened the PAC in March to provide guidance to the Department to ensure that its COVID-19 response is based on the latest scientific, medical, ethical, and public health evidence. The 28 public members and its subcommittees include healthcare leaders, academics, infectious and chronic disease healthcare practitioners, former commissioners, epidemiologists, quality experts, local health and equity leaders and ethicists representing geographic, demographic, and professional diversity. The PAC is chaired by former Deputy Commissioner and State Epidemiologist Dr. Eddy Bresnitz. After leaving the Department, he spent nearly a decade at Merck in Global Vaccine Medical Affairs.

The nine focus areas of Department’s Vaccine Task Force are:

• Logistics & PODs or points of dispensing/delivery including local partnerships, state & mobile sites; cold chain management and PPE & supply requirements
• Federal interoperability, IT & data flow management to monitor & track all doses delivered and administered
• Specific Population Planning for vulnerable, high risk & essential workers
• Enabling Policies for directives or other regulatory or policy tools
• Management & Administration for workforce, contracting and budgeting
• Analytics & Reporting
• Strategic Communication
• Public Confidence to include stakeholder calls, bringing up a call center for questions & a public awareness campaign
• Flu vaccination. During the last flu season, 50% of the population in the state received the vaccine.

The Department of Health reminds the public that information about COVID-19 and the vaccines currently in development is still evolving and that the Department will continue to release information as it becomes available. The Department of Health’s COVID-19 vaccination plan has been partly informed by the state’s experience with pandemic influenza vaccination during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.

The Department has a COVID-19 Vaccination webpage that includes FAQs, the COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, and an executive summary of the plan.

10/26/20: Montville Township has announced that the Municipal Building and its parking lot, located at 195 Changebridge Road, will be closed to the public on Thursday, October 29, 2020 from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm for a drive-through influenza vaccination clinic for Montville senior citizens. This vaccination clinic is open only to Montville senior citizens. You must have an appointment to be granted access to the clinic.

A limited number of appointments are still available, please call the Montville Health Department at 973-331-3316 to secure your appointment. Again, all participants must have an pre-arranged appointment to participate in the clinic, all others will not be allowed to enter the clinic. 

As in previous years, if you are a senior citizen, and unable to leave your home to receive your flu vaccination, please call the Montville Health Department at 973-331-3316 to arrange for one of our Public Health Nurses to come to your home to administer your vaccination.

To protect yourself, and our community, the Montville Health Department strongly encourages everyone who can do so to receive their influenza vaccination this year. Vaccinations are widely available at national-level pharmacies and supermarkets. Please visit https://www.nj211.org/get-flu-ready for more information, and to find a flu shot near you.

10/26/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing extended, weekend office hours to help voters navigate the 2020 General Election. The Morris County Clerk’s Office will be open on Saturday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8:00 a.m. to noon to assist voters seeking a new ballot, needing to vote early, reporting a ballot issue or having other problems in casting a ballot.
Due to the current pandemic, all voters entering the building will be subject to a temperature check and must wear a face mask. Pandemic protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also require limited access to the building in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines.The Morris County Clerk’s Office is located on the 1^st Floor of the Morris County Administration and Records Building at 10 Court Street, Morristown, N.J.

10/24/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 191, which extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, August 1, August 27, and September 25. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed. Executive Order No. 191 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.

10/23/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing two bills (S2712 and S2785) ordering reforms to the long-term care industry. The bills implement recommendations from the Manatt Health Report, released on June 3, 2020. S2712 requires minimum direct care staff-to-resident ratios in New Jersey long-term care facilities. Additionally, the legislation will establish the Special Task Force on Direct Care Workforce Retention and Recruitment. S2785 requires long-term care facilities to institute policies that prevent social isolation of residents, addressing issues experienced by LTC residents and their families as a result of prohibitions and limitations on visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

10/23/20: Fall celebrations, such as Halloween and Thanksgiving, often include crowded parties and other large gatherings of families and friends that may put people at increased risk for becoming infected with COVID-19. The CDC has issued guidance and recommendations for upcoming holiday celebrations and travel meant to supplement (not replace) state and local safety laws, rules, and regulations that must be complied with. This CDC guidance includes considerations for planning both indoor and outdoor holiday celebrations and gatherings, as well as a breakdown of lower risk, moderate risk, and high risk activities associated with holidays.

10/22/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing several fraud alerts that involve the SNAP program, bail bonds, IRS, stimulus checks, and COVID-19 contact tracing. 

In this scam, criminals pretend to be contact tracers. The scammers send messages to potential victims saying they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19/Coronavirus, and need to click on the link to learn more. When that link is clicked, malicious software is downloaded onto a person’s smartphone or other device, giving hackers access to their target’s private information. 

Please note that legitimate contact tracers, including those working on behalf of the Montville Health Department, will only send text messages to let a person know that they will be calling and to answer that phone call. Messages from legitimate contact tracers DO NOT include any links. Messages that include a link to click on should be viewed as illegitimate and deleted immediately.

10/21/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that Morris County authorities are reporting a moderate increase in the rate of COVID-19 cases, consistent with a statewide uptick, citing a correlation with increased indoor gatherings prompted by cooler outdoor temperatures.

“New Jersey is seeing moderate increases in community spread of COVID-19 and the New Jersey Department of Health has indicated that it is anticipating a second wave. There has been an increase in transmission associated with gatherings, especially gatherings held indoors,” said Morris County Health Officer Carlos Perez.

As the weather turns cooler, people need to be reminded that indoor gatherings should be limited to immediate household members, he explained. Additionally, as people plan for seasonal holidays and celebrations, they should limit the number of close relatives and friends in attendance and, if possible, plan parties outdoors around a fire pit or patio heater, according to Perez.

The slight rise in county numbers was first reported at a Morris County Board of Freeholders meeting last week by Scott DiGiralomo, Director of Morris County’s Department of Law and Public Safety. He said the county remains vigilant and poised to assist the community should there be any significant resurgence of the virus, which had its greatest impact on the county back in April.

The County Office of Health Management and local health departments continue to perform essential duties to prevent the spread of infections, including enhanced surveillance and contact tracing, which is the process of identifying and notifying people who may have been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19 to prevent further spread of the disease.

“It is important that persons instructed to quarantine and isolate by their local health department and/or healthcare provider do so to prevent the spread of infection,” said Perez. Contact tracers, he said, will not ask for social security numbers, bank or credit card information, health insurance information, immigration status, or criminal history. “They are only following up about potential exposure to COVID-19 cases, to determine if a person has symptoms and needs to self-isolate. Report any calls from persons identifying themselves as contact tracers and requesting such information to your local police department,” Perez said.

Health professionals emphasize that COVID-19 is preventable if individuals:

1. Wear a cloth face covering when in public (both indoors and outdoors).
2. Practice social distancing (maintain a 6-foot space between you and others).
3. Follow good respiratory hygiene recommendations.
4. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve, not your hands.
5. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or eyes with unclean hands.
6. Get a flu shot.
7. Stay home if you are sick and avoid sick people.
8. If you become ill, call your healthcare provider before going to a doctor’s office or emergency department of a hospital.

Planning to travel during the upcoming holidays?

Remember: There are 38 states/territories on a state issued travel advisory list, and the list is updated and changes regularly. Anyone leaving New Jersey to travel to a state/territory on the travel advisory list should quarantine for 14-days upon their return to the state.

More information is available at the NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/index.html

Review and follow CDC travel advisories when planning travel abroad: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

10/21/20: NJ Communications Director Mahen Gunaratna issued a press release announcing: “A member of the Governor's senior staff recently tested positive for COVID-19. Per guidance from public health officials, the individual is currently quarantining at home. We have begun the contact tracing process to notify everyone who may have come into contact with our colleague during the potential infection window. Out of an abundance of caution and in line with the highest levels of commitment to protecting public health, the Governor and First Lady will be canceling their in-person events and voluntarily quarantining through the end of the weekend, and each will take an additional COVID-19 test before they resume any in-person engagements. The Governor received a coronavirus test on Monday as part of his regularly-scheduled testing regime, which came back negative. The Governor and First Lady were also tested this afternoon, which came back negative. From the beginning, the Governor's Office has taken every precaution to limit the spread of COVID-19. Today's exceedingly cautious steps are part of that ongoing commitment."  

10/21/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing $14 million in additional Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to develop workforce development programs. The programs are designed to help businesses impacted by COVID-19 replenish their workforce and help jobless residents learn new skills that lead to successful reemployment. The CARES Act funding has been divided to a three-pronged plan to bolster workers’ skills and get them back on the job. The programs will be implemented by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.  

10/21/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advising individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes the addition of Arizona and Maryland, bringing the total to 39 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, October 20, there are currently 39 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; Colorado; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; New Mexico; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Wisconsin; West Virginia; and Wyoming. 

Neighboring states Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware now meet the criteria for New Jersey’s travel advisory. Due to the interconnected nature of the region and mode of transport between New Jersey and the three states, a 14-day quarantine is not reasonable in all instances. Non-essential travel to and from these states, however, is highly discouraged at this time. New York and Connecticut are also discouraging non-essential travel to and from New Jersey, but are not mandating that travelers quarantine due to the interconnected nature of the region and economy.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

10/20/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing legislation (S2519) which requires public health emergency credits to be awarded to certain inmates and parolees during a public health emergency. The legislation includes certain exclusions and prohibits inmates or parolees to contact their victims upon their release. Under the bill, public health emergency credits would be awarded to any adult inmate or juvenile who is within 365 days of their scheduled release. Credits would accrue at the rate of 122 days (four months) for each month, or portion of each month, served during the declared emergency with a maximum of 244 days (eight months) of remission to be awarded for any declared emergency period. Credits would not to be awarded to anyone who is serving a sentence for murder or aggravated sexual assault or who has been deemed a repetitive, compulsive sex offender.

10/19/20: Although Montville Township was unable to secure a veterinarian for the rabies clinic that is usually held here in Montville Township, Lincoln Park and their contracted veterinarian have graciously agreed to extend the hours of their clinic for the convenience of Montville Township residents. 

The Lincoln Park / Montville Township free rabies clinic will be held on Friday, November 6, 2020, at the Lincoln Park Fire Department Hose Company #1 at 20 Boonton Turnpike (next to the Lincoln Park Municipal Building) in Lincoln Park, and will be open to Montville Township and other NJ residents from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.

A list of the many other free rabies vaccination clinics that will be held throughout Morris County can be found at: https://health.morriscountynj.gov/public/rabies/. These clinics are free, and open to all NJ residents. Please contact the municipality in question for more information.

10/19/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the launch of New Jersey’s COVID-19 Transparency website, providing oversight and public confidence in the expenditure of federal recovery funds as the State continues to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement of the website follows the Governor’s signing of Executive Order No. 166 on July 17, 2020, which established the Governor’s Disaster Recovery Office (GDRO) and COVID-19 Compliance and Oversight Task Force. The site can be accessed here.

10/16/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 190, which extends a moratorium preventing New Jersey residents from having their utilities disconnected through at least March 15, 2021. The moratorium applies to all residential gas, electric and water utilities, both public and private. Further, the utilities will not be charging late fees nor fees to reconnect services that have been disconnected. The Order also requires that all residential services that were disconnected after social distancing measures went into effect on March 16 be reconnected. The Governor and legislative leadership further announced that $15 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund will be allocated to assisting low income households in paying off utility arrearages.

10/16/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 189, which extends the filing deadline for 2019 Corporate Business Tax (CBT) calendar year returns being filed under extension to November 16, 2020, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The previous filing deadline for calendar year returns being filed under extension was October 15, 2020.

10/15/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Freeholders today reported that the rate of COVID-19 cases in the county remained consistent with the rest of New Jersey, which reported an uptick of cases. The data, discussed at a regular freeholder meeting tonight, continued to show cases well below the devastating high in April, while a statewide increase has been reported. Scott DiGiralomo, Director of Morris County’s Department of Law and Public Safety, said his office has seen the number of cases go up, but not significantly, suggesting it may be related to school openings. He and the freeholders said the county remains vigilant and poised to assist the community should there be any resurgence of the virus.

10/14/20: Although Montville Township will not be able to hold their regularly scheduled free rabies vaccination clinic this November due to the lack of an available veterinarian, there are numerous nearby municipalities in Morris County that will be holding upcoming clinics. A list of these clinics, which are free, and available to all NJ residents, can be found at: https://health.morriscountynj.gov/public/rabies/.

10/14/20: According to the CDC, getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself and the people around you from flu, and to help reduce the strain on healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Flu season begins in October and continues into early spring (peak season is in January and February). All residents are encouraged to be aware, and to take precautionary and preventative measures. That includes getting your flu vaccine. 2-1-1 NJ has a list of resources you can explore to find a convenient location for you and your family to get vaccinated against the flu, which can be found at: https://www.nj211.org/get-flu-ready

10/14/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Clerk's Office is experiencing a record volume of phone calls and is urging residents to use the Morris County Clerk's website for voting questions. Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi urged voters with simple questions regarding the election to use her website, noting her office is experiencing an exorbitant volume of phone calls. One employee’s phone system recorded 2,008 messages over the weekend, according to the Clerk. Additionally, the office is experiencing on average more than 100 phone calls per hour on all election staff phone systems. 

Their website, www.morriscountyclerk.org, can answer most of the questions being asked, and contains:

Detailed information on all aspects of this election, such as:

1. ballot box locations,
2. polling locations,
3. dates when ballots were mailed, written instructions on what to expect when you receive your ballot package,
4. methods of returning your ballots, and

Videos on:

1. How to Vote,
2. What to do if you receive duplicate ballots, ballots for persons who are no longer living at your address and deceased parties, and
3. mail-in ballot updates.

“We always want to answer all calls, and provide timely and accurate information, but with this unprecedented volume it becomes difficult. That is why we are urging people to use our website first before calling for routine questions,” the County Clerk explained. If, after looking at the website, a voter still feels a need to call the Clerk, please feel free to do so at 973-285-6066. However, please be mindful that the overwhelming number of calls coming into the office may require a longer than normal wait time.

10/14/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the launch of the state’s official health insurance marketplace, Get Covered New Jersey, is now open to residents to browse health plans, compare prices and find out if they may qualify for financial help ahead of the Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Period that begins Nov. 1. New Jersey residents will no longer use HealthCare.gov to enroll in Marketplace health insurance plans. Instead, Marketplace plans and financial help will only be available through Get Covered New Jersey at getcovered.nj.gov.  

10/14/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advising individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes the addition of Ohio, Michigan, and Virginia bringing the total to 38 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, October 13, there are currently 38 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arkansas; Colorado; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Michigan; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; New Mexico; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Wisconsin; West Virginia; and Wyoming.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

10/13/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that Morris County and its 39 towns will share $8,415,816 in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding out of $60 Million released by Governor Phil Murphy today for severely impacted county and local governments not qualified to receive direct federal aid. Morris County will receive $2.3 million while $6.1 million is being shared among the municipalities. Of that $6.1 million, Montville Township will receive $238,883. The funding is intended to help the towns deal with unexpected costs caused by the pandemic, including increased costs in health benefits, health and human services, public safety, overtime, equipment and supply expenditures.

The New Jersey Department of Human Services also is providing up to $10 million to support the state’s County Boards of Social Services with COVID19-related expenses such as technology to adapt to remote work requirements, meeting the growing demand for services, and supplies and materials to meet COVID19 health and safety standards. Qualifying expenditures for the municipal funding include public safety and health-related expenses, COVID19-related overtime, increased residential and health-related garbage collection and services, remote working technology, signage and information technology related to the COVID19 response and recovery, and public health-related retrofit expenses for reopening.

The Governor said the allocation formula to determine the amounts provided used a variety of relevant metrics, including the municipal COVID19 infection rate, fiscal stress, the Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI), population, and public safety and health and human services expenditures share of the budget to determine the amount of funds counties and municipalities receive. Funds awarded may not be used for government revenue replacement, including the provision of assistance to meet tax obligations.  Eligible expenditures must be incurred during the covered period between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020.

10/13/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing $100 million in additional Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to support New Jersey residents and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bulk of the money, $70 million, will be distributed to restaurants, microbusinesses, and other small businesses through Phase 3 of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program; an additional $10 million will be used to help small businesses purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) through the NJEDA Small and Micro Business PPE Access Program; $15 million will go to support renters through the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program; and $5 million will support food banks and other hunger relief efforts.

Launched in early April, the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program provides grants to small businesses impacted by the pandemic. To date, over 19,000 small businesses have benefited from the program.

Phase 3 of the Grant Program expands eligibility to any business with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) and increases the amount of funding businesses can receive. To ensure funds flow to businesses that need them most, Phase 3 includes set-asides for grants to restaurants and micro-businesses. $35 million will be dedicated to support businesses classified as “Food Services and Drinking Places” under NAICS code 722 and $15 million will be directed to support “micro-businesses” that have five or fewer employees. The remaining $20 million will be available to support any eligible business.

In line with Governor Murphy’s commitment to a stronger, fairer recovery, one third of each of these pools of will be directed to support entities that are located in census tracts that were eligible to be selected as a New Jersey Opportunity Zone.

The Administration is also providing $10 million of additional CARES Act funding to support the Authority’s Small and Micro Business PPE Access Program. Launching in late October, this program will utilize an innovative public-private partnership model to enable businesses with 100 employees or fewer to receive grants in the form of automatic discounts on PPE purchased through NJEDA-approved “Designated Vendors”.

The Administration will also provide $15 million more in rent relief for New Jersey tenants through the DCA’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program reduces the burden renters face by paying landlords directly for up to six months. The funding announced today will cover rent incurred from August 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020. Payments per household will depend on a variety of factors such as location, rental market, family size, and average per household income.

The remaining $5 million will be used to provide relief for New Jersey residentsfacing food insecurity. These funds will build off of the $20 million announced in July that the Department of Agriculture (NJDA) used to support Emergency Feeding Organizations, which have been supporting food banks, food pantries, hunger relief centers, and soup kitchens that provide food to those in need.

The $100 million announced today will supplement the $115 million in CARES Act funds already allocated for economic development and re-employment programs and the $100 million allocated for housing assistance programs. On Friday, the Department of Human Services announced its new Housing Assistance Program, which will use $12 million from the CARES Act to provide rental or mortgage assistance payments on behalf of eligible households that have suffered a financial hardship due to COVID-19. More information on that program is available here.

10/13/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 187, which allows the resumption of contact practices and competitions in indoor settings for organized sports defined as “medium risk” and “high risk” by the New Jersey Department of Health’s “Guidance for Sports Activities.”   The order encompasses sports including hockey, basketball, cheerleading, group dance, rugby, boxing, judo, karate, taekwondo, and wrestling.  Governor Murphy previously signed Executive Order 149 and and Executive Order 168, which permitted the resumption of outdoor sports activities, “low risk” practices and competitions in indoor settings, and non-contact indoor practices for “medium risk” and “high risk” sports.

All indoor practices and competitions are limited to 25% of the capacity of the room, but not more than 25 or less than 10 persons. However, if the number of individuals who are necessary for practice or competition, such as players, coaches, and referees, exceeds 25, the practice or competition may proceed if no unnecessary individuals such as spectators are present.  Even if this exception applies, the number of these necessary individuals at the practice or competition cannot exceed 25% of the capacity of the room, and such limit cannot exceed 150 persons.

Facilities and participants must abide by a number of health and safety protocols outlined in the Department of Health’s “Guidance for Sports Activities,” such as screenings for athletes, coaches, and staff; limitations on equipment sharing; and requirements for disinfecting and sanitizing surfaces and equipment. Additionally, sports under the oversight of either the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association or the NCAA must continue to abide by those associations' rules. All sporting activities must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. The order will take effect immediately.

10/13/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing $60 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) for the Local Government Emergency Fund to aid counties and municipalities that were excluded from the federal government’s direct CRF allocation plan. The COVID-19 crisis has severely impacted county and local governments in New Jersey, and they are facing increased costs in health benefits, health and human services, public safety, overtime, equipment, and supply expenditures. These relief funds will help to address necessary and unexpected expenditures necessitated by the pandemic.

The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) is also providing up to $10 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to support the state’s County Boards of Social Services with COVID-related expenses such as technology to adapt to remote work, expanding to meet growing demand, and supplies and materials to meet COVID-19 health and safety standards.

Qualifying expenditures for the Local Government Emergency Fund include public safety and health-related expenses, COVID-19-related overtime, increased residential and health-related garbage collection and services, remote working technology, signage and information technology related to the COVID-19 response and recovery, and public health-related retrofit expenses for reopening.

The Local Government Emergency Fund allocation formula uses a variety of relevant metrics, including the municipal COVID-19 infection rate, fiscal stress, the Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI), population, and public safety and health and human services expenditures share of the budget to determine the amount of funds counties and municipalities receive.

Funds awarded may not be used for government revenue replacement, including the provision of assistance to meet tax obligations. Eligible expenditures must be incurred during the covered period between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020.

The fund allocations by county (including distributions to municipal governments) are listed below. For a full list of municipal allocations broken down by county, please click here: http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dlgs/programs/lgef.html

10/09/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that Professor Brian Olson, of the Department of Biology and Chemistry at the County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph, has had his research on COVID-19 published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Computer-Aided Molecular Design to assist with the development of drugs to combat the virus.

10/07/20: The Montville Health Department is strongly urging all residents to get their flu vaccination. As noted in a recent Harvard Health Publishing article, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever this year to be vaccinated against the flu. Late September through October is the best time of year to get the vaccination, and flu vaccine is widely available at pharmicies, supermarkets, and doctor's offices. Click here for a recent nj.com article listing where flu shots can be obtained. The NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) issues weekly respiratory virus surveillance reports that describes activity levels of influenza and influenza-like illnesses throughout the state, which can be found here.

10/06/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advising individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes the addition of New Mexico, bringing the total to 35 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, October 6, there are currently 35 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arkansas; Colorado; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; New Mexico; Nevada; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Wisconsin; West Virginia; and Wyoming. 

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

10/05/20: Governor Murphy and NJDOH issued Halloween 2020 Celebration Guidance. The document includes recommendations for adapting traditional celebrations, and considerations for ways to celebrate Halloween safely, including for traditional outdoor door-to-door trick or treating; outdoor trunk or treating; Halloween parties; and haunted houses, hayrides, and corn mazes. The guidance also includes examples of Halloween activities that would require only minimal or no additional health and safety protocols.

10/05/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that effective Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, the Morris County Surrogate’s Office will begin accepting appointments for in-person probate in our newly designed COVID-19 compliant probate rooms. No walk-in appointments will be permitted and all appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling the Morris County Surrogate’s Office at 973-285-6500.

Please be advised that to maintain public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, appointments will be limited considerably, as compared to the past.  We will be accepting a maximum of four (4) appointments in the morning and four (4) appointments in the afternoon each day, Monday through Friday. Clients are limited to having a maximum of one additional person at their appointment (usually their attorney) and no one under the age of 18 will be permitted in the probate rooms. Clients will be required to go through Morris County screening procedures upon entering the building, which includes a temperature check as well as passing through a metal detector.  COVID-19 protocols require that masks are worn in the building at all times for everyone’s safety.

For more information, please visit www.morrissurrogate.com.

10/01/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing with NY Governor Cuomo the launch of COVID-19 exposure notification mobile apps in their respective states that will serve as crucial tools to supplement the effort to trace and contact individuals subject to a COVID exposure. The apps, COVID Alert NJ and COVID Alert NY, notify users of potential COVID-19 exposure while maintaining user privacy and security. With today’s launch, New Jersey and New York join Pennsylvania and Delaware in creating a regional COVID Alert app network that operates across state lines to stop the spread of COVID-19. Connecticut has also announced it will launch an app in the near future using the same technology.

The free mobile apps–available to anyone 18 or older who lives, works, or attends college in New Jersey or New York — are available for download from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. 

The apps use Exposure Notification System technology developed by Google and Apple to strengthen New Jersey and New York’s contact tracing programs statewide. The COVID Alert apps will notify users if they have been in close contact – within six feet for at least 10 minutes – with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Knowing about a potential exposure can help individuals quickly make a plan to stay safe, including contacting their physician or the State Health Department hotlines to get more information about quarantining and testing to prevent community spread.

COVID Alert NJ and COVID Alert NY are completely anonymous and do not track or collect any location data or personal data from your phone. The COVID Alert apps do not use GPS location data. The Exposure Notification System uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology to detect when another phone with the same app is within six feet. Proximity is measured, but not geographic location. COVID Alert app users must explicitly choose to turn on exposure notifications – and can turn it off at any time.

After downloading the app, users must opt-in to receive “Exposure Notifications.” When the app senses a close contact, your phone will exchange a secure random code with the close contact’s phone. Of note, your location, name or personally identifiable data are never disclosed. If you test positive for COVID-19, a public health representative from the local health department will call as part of the states’ contact tracing programs and ask if you are willing to anonymously notify your “close contacts” by uploading your app’s anonymous close contact codes. Each day, the app will compare your list of close contact codes to the list of codes associated with positive COVID-19 app users. If there’s a match, you will get an Exposure Alert, along with appropriate next steps to stay safe and prevent community spread like self-quarantining and getting tested. COVID Alert apps never reveal the identity of the COVID-19 positive individual.

The COVID Alert NJ app will work in conjunction with similar apps in Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania, allowing New Jerseyans to continue to receive exposure notifications when exposed to residents of those states. If a New Jersey resident travels to one of those states and is exposed to someone with COVID-19 who has an equivalent app, the resident will receive a notification.

COVID Alert NJ and COVID Alert NY provide users with the latest information about COVID-19 in their states, including publicly reported testing data. In addition, the app features a symptom checker where users can anonymously record daily symptoms.

Visit covid19.nj.gov/app for more information about COVID Alert NJ.

Visit ny.gov/covidalerts for more information about COVID Alert NY.

09/30/20: Montville Pet Parents (MPP) sponsors a Spring and a Holiday Boutique each year at the Montville Senior House to raise money to help the animals at the shelter. This year, due to the  COVID-19 pandemic, they were unable to hold these "in-person" events, which are their largest fundraising opportunities. 

09/30/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing the expansion and reopening of its Small Landlord Emergency Grant (SLEG) Program, which is designed to assist families struggling to meet rental payments due to COVID-19.

The state program reimburses qualified landlords for rent payments missed by families from April through July 2020 due to hardships created by the pandemic. The program reopened on Monday and will run through Tuesday, October 13th at 4:00 p.m., according to the NJHMFA, a state agency that helps to increase the availability of and accessibility in New Jersey to safe, decent, and affordable housing. Landlords approved for SLEG funds must forgive any back rent or late fees incurred by their tenants.

To be eligible for the 2nd round of the SLEG Program:

• Applicants must own a residential property in New Jersey with three to 30 rental units;
• Applicants must be registered with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Bureau of Housing Inspection;
• The property must not bea seasonal or vacation rental property;
• The property must have at least one non-vacant rental unit impacted by COVID-19 between April and July 2020;
• The property must have low-to-moderate income rent levels

The first and second rounds of the SLEG Program are supported by $15 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. All completed eligible applications will be randomly sorted by computer to give each applicant an equal chance of being funded. Grant funding will be allocated on a case-by-case basis, based on the number of COVID-impacted units and the amount of missed rent.

A list of all successful landlord applicants will be posted to the NJHMFA website, and letters will be sent to all tenants of awarded landlords. There is a range of tools available on NJHMFA's website to assist property owners in preparing their applications. Potential applicants with specific questions can call NJHMFA’s toll-free hotline at 866-280-9756 or email sleg@njhmfa.gov.

09/30/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advising individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes the addition of Colorado — with Arizona and Virginia removed from the list — bringing the total to 34 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, September 29, there are currently 34 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arkansas; Colorado; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; Nevada; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Wisconsin; West Virginia; and Wyoming. 

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

09/30/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 186, which extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order 103, which was previously extended every 30 days since. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed. Executive Order 180 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.

09/25/20: Atlantic Health Systems issued an announcement titled "Why It's Important to Take Charge of Your Health" detailing how early detection can save lives. An estimated 41% of adults have delayed or avoided medical care due to concerns related to COVID-19, according to a survey administered in June. That estimate includes 12% who avoided urgent or emergency care and 32% who avoided routine care, according to the survey conducted by Qualtrics, LLC.

In a local survey by Atlantic Health System, 34% of respondents said they chose to cancel, delay, or reschedule an appointment for routine care. Though infection rates have decreased in the region, fears of getting COVID-19 are still keeping some patients away from important screenings, diagnosis, and treatment for non-COVID-19 diseases. 

Experts are concerned about a second epidemic associated with COVID-19. Scott Lauter, MD, MBA, FACP, FHM, chief medical officer of Atlantic Medical Group, said this would include cancers not screened, detected and treated in an earlier and curable stage. Uncontrolled chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, lung disease and high cholesterol can also become very serious if left untreated. “The time to avoid or delay is over,” he said.

09/24/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the rate of COVID-19 cases in the county continued on a flat curve through the summer and into September. The data, presented at a regular Freeholder meeting, continued to demonstrate a 95% reduction in cases since a devastating high in April, despite data showing a slight uptick in the number of weekly cases attributed to some increased school activities. The Freeholders said the county remains poised to assist the community should there be any resurgence of the virus. 

Morris County went from being one of New Jersey’s most seriously virus-impacted regions to having one of the lowest COVID-19 spread-rates due to a rigorous, organized response to the pandemic. Morris County authorities worked closely with local health officials and medical providers, boosted stockpiles of personal protection equipment, monitored the virus spread and opened a testing center. 

09/23/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advising traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes five additional states — Arizona, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island, and Wyoming — bringing the total to 35 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, September 22, there are currently 35 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arkansas; Arizona; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; Nevada; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Wisconsin; West Virginia; and Wyoming.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

09/22/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that applications are now open for the new NJ Department of Human Services (NJDHS) COVID-19 child care tuition assistance program to help families with child care costs as schools open remotely. The $150 million program will provide child care tuition assistance to New Jersey families with incomes up to $75,000 that are in need of either full or part-time child care due to their child’s remote learning schedule.

Families can learn more and apply for this assistance by completing the online application at www.ChildCareNJ.gov. Those applying will need proof of income and a notice or announcement from their child’s school of a remote learning schedule. Tuition assistance will be available through December 30, 2020 for eligible residents with school-age children, 5 to 13 years old. Families may submit applications and NJDHS will provide the tuition assistance to eligible participants until funding is exhausted.  Recipients will be eligible for either full- or part-time support based on their families’ needs.

The tuition assistance is part of $250 million plan announced last month to support working families and child care. As part of that plan, NJDHS is also providing state child care subsidies for families with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty line during the school day for children aged 5 to 13 through December 30, 2020. Families that currently receive state child care subsidies for before and after school care for school age children are being contacted directly to identify their needs during the school day. Child care providers will be paid the subsidy rate for school-age children based on the hours of care needed. NJDHS is also supporting child care centers that make it a priority to serve children receiving the child care subsidy by providing supplemental payments of $75 per subsidy-eligible child, per month, including infants, toddlers, and school-age children to providers through the end of the year.  

NJDHS is also making funding available to licensed child care centers and registered family child care providers in New Jersey that are open or will open by October 1st to manage added operational costs due to new COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. These funds will be available to nearly 6,000 child care providers in New Jersey with increased COVID-related costs, such as purchasing PPE and other supplies and materials, cleaning and sanitation, and other operational needs related to COVID-19 that are eligible expenses for the Coronavirus Relief Fund.  Funds will be available through an application process that will open in the upcoming weeks through the New Jersey Child Care Information System (NJCCIS).

09/17/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that veterans and their families who are experiencing a housing crisis may be eligible for emergency assistance such as motel/hotel stays, security deposits, rent, rental arrears, groceries and utilities through Community Hope.

Community Hope’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program is currently providing assistance remotely. Urgent community-based services such as critical supplies and veteran wellness-checks are provided in person. The increase in support services to veterans and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic is possible thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

To make a referral, please call the referral hotline at 1-855-483-8466 or email SSVF@communityhope-nj.org, or email Gema Diaz at gdiaz@communityhope-nj.org.

09/17/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that acting on a commitment to reform and build a more resilient long-term care industry, Governor Phil Murphy today signed a legislative package to address systemic challenges, mitigate the impact of COVID-19, and strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks. The legislative package enacts several recommendations made in Manatt Health’s rapid review of the state’s long-term care facilities, including wage enhancements for front-line staff, improved response coordination, and robust data reporting procedures. The legislative package received bipartisan support. 

The Governor signed the following bills into law: 

A4476/S2790 - Establishes certain requirements concerning State's preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

A4481/S2787 - Establishes New Jersey Task Force on Long-Term Care Quality and Safety. 

A4482/S2758 - Establishes minimum wage requirements for certain long-term care facility staff; establishes direct care ratio requirements for nursing homes; requires nursing home care rate study. 

A4547/S2813 - Authorizes temporary rate adjustment for certain nursing facilities; appropriates $62.3 million.

09/15/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advised individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes one additional territory, Puerto Rico— with California, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, and Ohio removed from the list, bringing the total to 30 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, September 14, there are currently 30 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arkansas; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Wisconsin; and West Virginia.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

09/11/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the COVID-19 curve remains flat and low as businesses reopen. As a precaution, the Morris County Freeholders are preparing Morris County to handle potential spikes and/or a second surge of cases. The Morris County Board of Freeholders provided a COVID-19 update showing the case rate has remained flat over the past few weeks and throughout the summer, even with a steady increase in business re-openings and general activity. Data presented to the board by Freeholder John Krickus demonstrated not only a sharp reduction in virus rates for Morris County has held, but also that average human mobility in New Jersey increased, nearing pre-pandemic levels, as COVID-19 cases dropped statewide over the past few months.

The freeholders adopted Resolution 2020-345 on May 13 urging Governor Phil Murphy to reopen New Jersey, which was under an extensive shutdown at the time and is still operating under restrictions imposed by executive orders.  The freeholders had echoed calls for a statewide reopening of the economy made by two other organizations at the time. In May, the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, state Sen. Anthony Bucco and others released a joint report, “It’s Time to Get Back to Business in Morris County,” that outlined a safe reopening plan for the Governor. https://morriscountynj.gov/2020/05/covid-19-morris-chamber-and-sen-bucco-release-business-recovery-report/. Simultaneously, Unlock New Jersey, an organization of business owners and public officials throughout North Jersey, presented its own plan for a speedier reopening of state businesses. http://www.unlocknewjersey.com/

Last month, Morris County released data showing a 95% drop in COVID-19 cases in the county since a devastating April peak and the launch of a highly successful county mobilization of local resources to combat the pandemic spread. Morris County’s rate of COVID-19 cases is now 40 percent lower than the state average due to cooperative efforts among local, county and state agencies and strengthening county public health and public safety resources. At a freeholder meeting yesterday, a data chart was presented showing the sharp decline in daily cases, dipping into the low teens in mid-June and remaining there for the past three months. Freeholder Director Deborah Smith said the data is encouraging, but underscored the importance of continuing to recognize proper precautions as we move through the pandemic, even outdoors.

09/11/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he today signed legislation (A4486) which authorizes the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to use stored driver's license or identification card photos for longer than eight years and limits certain appointment times at MVC locations to senior citizens and persons with certain medical conditions during COVID-19 pandemic.  The Governor also signed A4520, which temporarily extends deadlines to register vehicles and obtain driver's licenses for new State residents during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

A4486 extends the validity of all driver’s license and identification card photographs from a maximum of eight years to a maximum of 12 years. The bill further allows residents 65 years of age or older to be eligible to use a stored photograph for each standard driver’s license or standard identification card renewal. The legislation also requires the chief administrator, during the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reserve one day per week or a certain time each day or each week, to be determined by the chief administrator, at certain commission agency locations to offer appointments exclusively to the following individuals to register a newly purchased, newly acquired, or transferred motor vehicle: (1) senior citizens, and (2) customers who, due to a medical condition diagnosed by a licensed medical doctor or osteopathic physician and evidenced by proof, in a form prescribed by the chief administrator, cannot wear masks or face coverings.

A4520 provides that a person who is allowed to operate a motor vehicle as a non-resident has 120 days (up from 60 days) to obtain a New Jersey driver’s license and to register a motor vehicle upon becoming a resident of the State, if that person becomes a resident during the Coronavirus 2019 public health emergency, which is defined as the period of time during which Executive Order No. 103 of 2020, and any subsequent executive order extending the public health emergency, is in effect. 

The legislation will take effect immediately.

09/09/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County MUA will hold a Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy in Parsippany. The final drop-off for the year will be Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chatham High School 255 Lafayette Ave., Chatham.

SPECIAL COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all participants dropping off household hazardous materials must wear face coverings, keep their vehicle windows closed, and stay in their vehicles for the duration of the event. The MCMUA is requesting patrons to store all materials in the trunk, cargo area, or bed of the vehicle for easy access by the MUA’s contractor, whose team will remove it from the vehicle. Please plan your visit accordingly.

The list of acceptable hazardous materials that can be disposed includes pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, oil-based paints, stains, paint thinners and removers, solvents, automotive fluids, lead acid and rechargeable batteries, pool chemicals, and darkroom chemicals. Also accepted are aerosol cans (not empty), propane and helium cylinders, small quantities of asbestos (wetted, double bagged and sealed with duct tape to a 100 pound limit), driveway sealant, roofing tar, fluorescent bulbs, PCB-ballasts, mercury thermometers and switches, household cleaning products, muriatic acid.

Latex paint is not considered hazardous, so it is not accepted. Latex paint should be dried out and disposed of in the trash. Explosive or highly reactive materials, such as picric acid or nitro compounds, will not be accepted. E-waste (used consumer electronics) will not be accepted. Click here  or call 973.829.8006 for E-Waste disposal information.

These events are for residential household waste only. Businesses are not permitted to attend these disposal events. Businesses can visit the permanent facility in Mount Olive by appointment only.

09/09/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that Morris Arts will present Morris Arts Fest, an outdoor festival featuring an art exhibit and sale of works by Morris County area visual artists and crafters. The festival will take place from 3-7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 12, at Lewis Morris County Park, Mendham Rd., Morristown. Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 13. Face coverings and social distancing is required for all vendors and attendees.

The event is held in collaboration with the Morris County Park Commission. The Sugarloaf area at Lewis Morris Park has restrooms and parking. For more information on Lewis Morris Park visit: https://www.morrisparks.net/. Click here for a map of the Sugarloaf Area at Lewis Morris Park.

More than 40 visual artists and crafters, working in a wide variety of media including pottery, origami, oils, acrylics, watercolors, printmaking, fiber art, sculpture, pen and ink, photography, cartooning, collage, jewelry, decorative accessories, chalk, ceramics and stoneware will showcase and sell their works in the park that day.

Live music will also enliven the event. Attendees can hear Gwendolyn Fitz, a jazz-pop singer-songwriter with folk influences — imagine Nora Jones on the ukulele.  Also performing is the band Secret Sound, which mixes funky blues and rock by members Kevin Hill on guitar/vocals, Adam Alexander on drums, Dave Ferraro on bass, Bob Larsen on percussion and Andy Feldman on keyboard.

For questions, please contact Kaity De Laura at kdelaura@morrisarts.org or (973) 285-5115 ext.14.

09/09/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the state will offer the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone (commonly called Narcan) for free to residents at participating pharmacies throughout New Jersey from September 24th through 26th. As part of the Administration’s continued effort to combat the opioid crisis, New Jerseyans can visit participating pharmacies and anonymously obtain naloxone for free with no prescription and no appointment. Each naloxone pack contains two doses. Naloxone can reverse overdoses from opioids by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain. Those who obtain naloxone will also be given information regarding addiction treatment and recovery.

The free naloxone will be available at 322 pharmacies, including several locations of Acme, CVS, Rite Aid, Sav-On, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Walgreens, Walmart, Weis Markets and independent pharmacies. For participating pharmacies, please visit nj.gov/humanservices/stopoverdoses.

The naloxone will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last. Those who pick up free naloxone will be given information regarding the state’s addiction treatment helpline, 1-844-ReachNJ, a 24-hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week addictions help line, where people facing addiction or their friends and family can get immediate assistance and support from live, New Jersey-based, trained addiction counselors. ReachNJ assists callers regardless of their insurance status.

09/09/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the Baby Bonds initiative in his Revised Fiscal Year 2021 Budget, which will provide a $1,000 deposit into an account for every baby born into a household with income less than 500 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($131,000 for a family of four) in 2021. Advanced at the federal level by U.S. Senator Cory Booker and prominent economists, the proposal is a critical investment to address longstanding economic and race-based wealth disparities that have only been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.   

The parameters of the proposal require newborns to either be born in New Jersey or born to parents who are New Jersey residents to be eligible for an account. Baby Bond recipients would have to be New Jersey residents to withdraw funds from their accounts, although they would not have to spend these funds in New Jersey.

Under the Governor’s initiative, the State would establish the Baby Bonds Initiative Fund, which would include individual accounts for eligible residents. Funds in each child’s account would be invested so that they generate returns that are at least equivalent to thirty-year US Treasury bonds. Recipients would be able to withdraw funds when they turn 18 for allowable uses that build wealth such as homeownership, higher and continuing education, or entrepreneurship.

09/09/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Administrative Order 2020-21, which which clarifies that health club facilities located in hotels, motels, condominiums, cooperatives, corporate offices, and other businesses can open their indoor premises.  The Order also states that health club facilities that are open to the public, and not only to guests, residents, and employees, must conform to the provisions of Paragraph 1 of Executive Order No. 181 (2020) and associated guidance issued by the New Jersey Department of Health.

09/09/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advising individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes four additional states — Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia — with Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands removed from the list, bringing the total to 35 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, September 8, there are currently 35 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arkansas; California; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Hawaii; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Wisconsin; and West Virginia. 

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

09/08/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Administrative Order 2020-19, which prohibits smoking in the indoor areas of any casino or casino simulcasting facility that are open to the public. The order was issued in consultation with Commissioner of Health Judith Persichilli, who has advised that smoking on casino floors poses a particularly high danger of COVID-19 transmission, and that a temporary ban on smoking on casino floors is necessary to protect the large number of individuals on casino floors, including casino employees and other casino patrons. The order takes effect at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2020.

09/04/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that following a successful pilot program by United Way of Northern New Jersey, unpaid family caregivers across Morris and Warren counties can apply for 100 grants of assistive technology devices such as smart plugs, video cameras, a video doorbell and a smart speaker connected to a virtual assistant. The initial program gave the devices to 22 unpaid family caregivers across Morris and Essex counties.

Applicants who apply to the United Way for a needs assessment may receive assistive technology and virtual tech support to install and learn how to use the equipment. The program is funded thanks to grants from the Morris County Department of Human Services, the Morristown Medical Center Community Health Committee and the Warren County Division on Aging.

Studies show that caregivers are at greater risk for depression and compromised physical health than the general population. These are the family members or friends who care for a loved one who is ill, frail or living with a disability, performing duties as wide ranging as day-to-day basic needs care to driving to doctor appointments and administering medication.

The United Way pilot program was designed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the need has grown exponentially due to the health risks associated with COVID-19 for vulnerable populations, according to United Way’s Stephanie Howland, who oversees the program. From medication reminders to remotely checking in on a loved one, United Way tailors the services to meet the needs of each family, she said.

For 15 years United Way has provided education, resources and a network of support for family caregivers through caregiver coalitions in the northern New Jersey region. There are an estimated 53 million family caregivers in the United States, according to AARP. With 80 percent of long-term care provided in the home, family caregivers are the backbone of the health care system.

For more information or to apply for the assistive technology program, email Stephanie.Samuel@UnitedWayNNJ.org or call 973.993.1160, x115 or Susan.Cohen@UnitedWayNNJ.org or call 973.993.1160, x108

09/03/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Borough of Wharton is hosting it's 9th Annual Local Job Fair,
with the event being held outdoors this year at the MacKinnon Middle School on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Located at 137 East Central Avenue, Wharton, NJ 07885, the event is open to the public and attendees are being advised to abide by all CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 precautions. 

Please wear a mask, observe a 6-feet distancing protocol and do not attend if you have any symptoms of the virus.  Remember to bring a resume, although one is not required.

The goal of the Job Fair is to facilitate meetings between employers seeking new talent and residents of the area who are interested in embarking on new careers. Employers may have employment opportunities for candidates with the skills they are seeking or who are interested in attaining the required skills. The employers who have signed up for the event, to date, include: Avidd Community Services, Express Employment, U.S. Navy, Ronetco, Home Instead, Morris County Office of Hispanic Affairs, Sussex Meat, Metro Supply and Service, North Jersey Media, and Zufall Health.

For any and all updates on the Job Fair and future employment events in Wharton, go to: http://whartonnj.com/index.php/easyblog/2019-job-fair.

09/03/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing Morris Arts "Great Conversations from Home", an annual interactive event featuring leaders from the arts, media, tech, science, sports and more. This year, the event is a virtual Zoom event on October 8th. From the comfort of home, guests can converse with one of 28 luminaries such as an award-winning TV news correspondent, a scientist studying deadly diseases and pandemics, a 3D experimental visual light artist, a TV and movie set decorator, a prominent climate scientist, a symphony president, a celebrity chef, a former NY Jets president as well as innovators and leaders in business, finance, communications, tech, healthcare, law, pharma and real estate.

Each virtual table will feature a “host conversationalist” whose experiences will catalyze intriguing and memorable conversations. Guest can learn about their work, their thoughts on the world, their insights into their fields, and the experiences that shaped their lives. How did they get to where they are now? What lessons can they impart? Explore the connections between science and art or learn how fast one needs to run with the bulls in Spain. How does it feel to actually “beat Bobby Flay” or to meet seven presidents or attend 22 Super Bowls?  Do basketball skills help a CEO navigate business decisions? This is an evening to ask questions, exchange ideas, learn, and to interact personally with fascinating and accomplished people. You may be surprised by what you discover.

At registration, guests select their top five conversationalist choices. Virtual table assignments are made on a first come, first serve basis. Visit www.morrisarts.org to find out more about each of the host conversationalists and to purchase tickets for this special event. Tickets purchased by Sept. 13 are $125. After that price goes up to $150. For information please call Gina Moran at (973) 476-3643 or email gmoran@morrisarts.org. Proceeds from Great Conversations help to support the many programs and services provided by Morris Arts, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1973 dedicated to building community through the arts.

09/03/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the state will provide CARES Act funding for the reopening of 26 Sheltered Workshop programs throughout the state. Sheltered Workshop programs provide employment, job, and skills training to people with disabilities.  Statewide, there are 26 programs operating 28 sites. All have been closed since early March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

09/03/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed legislation (S2455), which prohibits lawful presence in the United States as a qualification to obtain a professional or occupational license, provided that the applicant meets all other requirements for licensure. The bill impacts the roughly 500,000 undocumented residents in New Jersey, who will now be eligible for professional licenses such as nursing, counseling and cosmetology.  

09/02/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advising individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes two additional states Alaska and Montana, bringing the total to 33 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, September  1, there are currently 33 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arkansas; California; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Hawaii; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; Nevada; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Virgin Islands; and Wisconsin.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

09/02/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 183, which establishes rules for the resumption of indoor dining on Friday, September 4 at 6:00 a.m., provided businesses comply with NJDOH health and safety standards. The Governor’s Executive Order also contains requirements for movie theaters and other indoor entertainment businesses, where the number of patrons for a performance will be limited to 25 percent capacity, up to a maximum of 150 people.  The Governor’s Order also increases the limits for indoor gatherings that are religious services or celebrations, political activities, wedding ceremonies, funerals, or memorial services to 25 percent capacity with a maximum of 150 people, an increase from the current limit of 25 percent capacity with a maximum of 100 people. Other indoor gatherings, including house parties, remain at the limit of 25 percent capacity with a maximum of 25 people. 

Under the Department of Health’s Health and Safety Standards, food or beverage establishments offering in-person service must adhere to the following protocols, among others:

1. Limit the number of patrons in indoor areas to 25 percent of the food or beverage establishment’s indoor capacity, excluding the food or beverage establishment’s employees;
2. Limit seating to a maximum of eight (8) customers per table (unless they are from a family from the same household) and arrange seating to achieve a minimum distance of six feet (6 ft) between parties;
3. Require customers to only consume food or beverages while seated;
4. Require patrons to wear face coverings while inside the indoor premises of the food or beverage establishment, except when eating or drinking at their table;
5. Food or beverage establishments with table service must require that customers be seated in order to place orders;
6. Food or beverage establishments with table service must require that wait staff bring food or beverages to seated customers; and
7. Keep doors and windows open where possible and utilize fans to improve ventilation.  

The Governor’s Executive Order includes requirements for theaters and indoor performance venues to reopen to the public on Friday, September 4, which include: 

1. Any particular showing is limited to 25 percent capacity with a maximum of 150 people;
2. Groups that buy tickets together can sit together, but must be at least 6 feet apart from all other groups; and
3. Individuals must wear masks, unless they are removing them to eat or drink concessions.

09/02/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed legislation A3971, which authorizes municipalities and counties to borrow funds to cover revenue shortfalls and expenditures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, by issuing bonds and notes. The final legislation included improvements recommended by Governor Murphy in his prior conditional veto issued on July 30, 2020.

08/31/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing the County College of Morris' online art exhibit: "Inexorable Creators", which features work by students, faculty, and staff during the pandemic and nationwide protests. The exhibition includes the work of 73 students, professors and staff from nine academic departments from the college’s three schools, the School of Business, Mathematics, Engineering and Technologies, the School of Liberal Arts and the School of Health Professions and Natural Sciences. 

The works include written works, ethical questions, documentaries, multimedia works, dance performances, photography, game design, digital paintings, a documentation of a community service project, videos, web design, app design, multidisciplinary projects, graphic design, drawings, representations of 3D objects and a virtual reality interactive tour. 

08/31/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing remote support services for businesses in Morris County to deal with the COVID-19 crisis are being offered by the Morris-Sussex-Warren Workforce Development Board. The board can advise help businesses on finding employees with unique skills, covering costs of employee training, re-tooling your workplace, and other important items. The Morris-Sussex-Warren Workforce Development Board is responsible for planning, policy guidance and oversight of the workforce development system in the three-county region of Northwest New Jersey. 

For information on services, contact Beth Rodgers, Associate Director of Business Services at 973-631-5145 or brodgers@co.morris.nj.us. Other support services include: New Jersey Career Connections for comprehensive support for employers and jobseekers at https://careerconnections.nj.gov/careerconnections/for_businesses.shtml, and state assistance for employers in critical industries with urgent hiring needs related to COVID19 at https://jobs.covid19.nj.gov/intake.

08/31/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed legislation A299, which allows alcoholic beverages to be consumed from open containers on certain outdoor property located within the Atlantic City Tourism District, upon authorization by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). The bill defines an “open container area” as portions of the beach, boardwalk, and other areas within the Atlantic City Tourism District, as determined by CRDA, in which pedestrians are permitted to carry and consume open containers of alcoholic beverages.

08/31/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing plans to dedicate $250 million in funding from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, which will provide additional support to children and their families as well as for thousands of child care providers with resources. These plans are highlighted in the Governor's FY2021 revised Budget Proposal as part of the state's spending plan for the $2.39 billion federal Coronavirus Relief Fund.

08/28/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that Morris County COVID-19 cases are down 95% since the April peak in cases. The board emphasized that the results should not be a cause for any residents to stop following safety precautions or guidelines on socially distancing as the pandemic continues. But the board applauded the data, which indicates Morris County went from a daily average of 210 cases on April 13 down to a current daily average of 10 cases. Recent daily reports have shown cases trending further downward, and Atlantic Health System reported today having only two COVID-19 patients being treated at Morristown Medical Center. Data charts are available at: https://health.morriscountynj.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Morris-County-Covid-Update-082620.pdf

08/28/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 181, which permits gyms and health clubs, as well as amusement and water parks, to reopen their indoor premises to the public on Tuesday, September 1 at 6:00 a.m., provided these facilities comply with the health and safety standards issued by the Department of Health.

Under the NJ Department of Health’s Executive Directive 20-028, gyms and health clubs who reopen will be required to adhere to the health and safety standards listed in the NJDOH's "Guidance for Health Clubs/Gyms/Fitness Centers".  These standards, which will also apply to other recreational businesses that offer fitness classes and activities, include the following, among others:

• Limit occupancy of any indoor premises to 25 percent of the stated maximum capacity;
• Conduct a temperature screening and questionnaire of staff and clients upon entrance to the facility; 
• Limit indoor group activities (e.g., classes) to no more than 1 individual per 200 square feet of accessible space or less, with all individuals being able to maintain 6 feet of distance from other individuals during the entire class;
• Require workers and customers to wear cloth face coverings at all times, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health, such as when in the water and in other situations where the presence of a mask would pose a risk to the individual's health, or where the individual is under two years of age;
• Demarcate six feet of distance between equipment, or blocking off equipment (e.g. every other machine) to maintain six feet of distancing between individuals using equipment;
• Require that reservations, cancellations and pre-payments be made via electronic or telephone reservation systems to limit physical interactions;
• Limit occupancy in restrooms to avoid over-crowding;
• Inform clients to arrive dressed to workout/train and bring their own hand towel, water, yoga mat, boxing gloves, and any other equipment;
• Not permit the use of showers, with the exception of gyms with pools, which can have individually partitioned showers or communal showers with installed barriers/partitions at least six feet apart;
• Limit locker room use to hand washing and restroom use only; and
• Adopt infection control practices and enhanced sanitization protocols.

Activities such as swimming in an indoor pool, tanning, outdoor dining, pick-up of food or beverage, and retail sales, which are otherwise permitted but which are not governed by the guidance, remain subject to applicable standards outlined in Executive Orders, Executive Directives and guidance.

08/28/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 180, which extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order 103, which was previously extended every 30 days since. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed. Executive Order 180 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.

08/27/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development submitted an application today to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Lost Wages Supplemental Assistance (LWA), which provides limited additional benefits to many of the state’s unemployed workers. LWA allows for temporary supplemental financial support to those whose jobs or wages have been adversely affected by COVID-19. LWA provides up to $300 per week to eligible individuals, in addition to the weekly benefit amount they receive from other unemployment compensation programs.

In New Jersey, the first tranche of the federal grant would provide up to $300 per week to claimants collecting unemployment for the weeks of Aug. 1, Aug. 8 and Aug. 15. Only people whose unemployment is COVID-related are eligible, under terms of the memorandum the President issued on Aug. 8. Additionally, those receiving less than $100 in weekly unemployment benefits are excluded from the supplemental benefit. 

Of the states that have applied, 93 percent have sought grants at the $300 level, which the federal government pays, rather than kick in an extra $100, which would have cost New Jersey approximately $80 million a week. As of Tuesday, FEMA had approved 28 states’ applications for $300 payments and 2 states’ applications for $400 payments. One state, South Dakota, has declined to participate. 

This new program must be created from scratch, and run separately from New Jersey’s existing state and federal unemployment programs. This is not something New Jersey or any state will be able to do quickly or easily. The FEMA grant has a spending cap of $44 billion. Once the allocation is exhausted, benefits will end. Thus, states must reapply after the first three weeks, giving FEMA the opportunity to calculate the program’s remaining balance after the first round of grants. The program also would be halted if  FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund balance drops below $25 billion.  

08/26/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing his revised budget proposal, which was unveiled on Tuesday. Governor Murphy announced that funding for school districts will remain consistent with the figures announced in July, keeping the state on track to fully fund public schools. Additionally, the revised budget proposal includes almost $68 million in new funds over FY2020 for preschools in New Jersey. Governor Murphy also announced $100 million in Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) funding to ensure schools can reopen safely. Additional information on district allocations of state aid is available on the Department of Education’s School Finance webpage.

08/26/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 179, which modifies this year’s primarily vote-by-mail (VBM) General Election. The order clarifies Executive Order 177.

Effective immediately, Executive Order 179 makes the following modifications:

• Requires county clerks to publish a notice reflecting this year's primarily vote-by-mail process;
• Permits county boards of elections to continue counting ballots every day until counting is completed; and
• Requires election audits to be completed by December 4, 2020.

08/25/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) has introduced a new website - connecttomorris.com - which allows employers to post job openings and business profiles, and prospective workers to search for compatible open positions. The MCEDC, which is a division of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, launched the website with support from the Morris County Board of Freeholders, and in coordination with the Morris/Sussex/Warren Workforce Development Board.

08/25/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris-Sussex-Warren Workforce Development Board is seeking employer feedback for a COVID-19 business recovery survey. The Board provides funding to businesses in the tri-county area for programs and services that support hiring, training, restructuring, growth initiatives, and more. They work closely with local businesses, educational institutions, the N.J. Department of Labor, county government, and tri-county Chambers of Commerce/Economic Development agencies to bring various resources and funding that will benefit the region.

Businesses, now more than ever, find themselves in a position to rapidly adapt operations to new workplace models. To promptly and effectively assist with your business recovery, it is imperative that they identify current workplace needs. To best serve you, please complete the brief UnderstandingBusinessNeeds survey by no later than Sept. 15. For more information, contact: Beth Rodgers, Associate Director of Business Services at 973-631-5145 or brodgers@co.morris.nj.us

08/25/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing his revised budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 2021), including targeted cuts across State government, fair and equitable revenue raisers, an emergency borrowing proposal, and additional plans to invest federal funding received to date to help close what would have been a nearly $6 billion budget hole as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional details on spending plans for the full $2.39 billion in CRF funding, as well as the other components of the Governor’s revised FY 2021 budget proposal, may be found online here. For a one-page summary of the Governor’s budget proposal, please click here.

08/24/20: Morris County issued a press release that the Morris County Office of Information Technology is warning residents that cyber scammers are trying to take advantage of the COVID pandemic by tricking Morris County residents into divulging their email username and password. Cybercriminals rely on trickery and emotional reactions to bypass your security. A recent phishing email is a great example of how the bad guys try to catch you off guard. These deceptive emails have a generic subject lines, such as “COVID-19 Notification,” and include many grammatical errors. The message claims, “The pandemic has become a global issue and we’ll be deactivating your email for server propagation.” 

Propagation usually refers to making a change to a web domain, like changing the name of a website or moving it to a different server. You may be wondering how those two subjects are related, but the sender doesn’t clarify. Instead the scammers direct you to “confirm non-removal of your email” by clicking the link provided. Do Not Click the Link! The link in these emails leads to a phony login page that collects your username and password and delivers it to the criminals. Don’t fall for it!

Here’s how to stay protected:

• Remember to think before you click. This email is both confusing and urgent, which could lead to impulsive clicks.
• Be wary of emails with spelling or grammatical errors, especially when they supposedly come from a reputable source.
• Never click on a link or an attachment that you are not expecting. Even if it appears to be from someone in your own organization, the sender’s email address could be spoofed.

Get more information on COVID-19 scams from the Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams-consumer-advice

08/24/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the State’s public water, gas, and electric utility companies regulated by BPU have all agreed to extend their voluntary moratorium preventing shutoffs to both residential and commercial customers during the COVID-19 pandemic until October 15th. Additionally, the utilities will offer residential and commercial customers a flexible and extended Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) of at least 12 months and up to 24 months. No down payments will be required for this assistance.

The utilities have been communicating with customers about available assistance programs, account balances, and payment status. Beginning in September, the utilities will accelerate those outreach efforts. Customers may start to receive shutoff notices in September. Should that occur, those customers should contact their utility as soon as possible prior to October 15 to make arrangements to continue their utility service, to explore enrolling in a DPA, and to learn about what other assistance programs might be available. However, no customer will be shut off before October 15.

Although utility service shutoffs are still suspended, customers should make payments toward their utility bills if they can. If a customer is struggling to pay, they should ask their utility company about assistance programs and payment plans, and they can also check NJBPU’s “Assistance Programs” page for information about State programs that are available to eligible customers. 

Today’s announcement does not apply to cable and telecommunications companies. Those providers are covered by Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 126 that prohibits these companies from terminating Internet and voice service due to non-payment until 30 days after the current public health emergency has ended. 

NJBPU reminds and encourages all utility customers and ratepayers who have questions about their service to first contact their utility. A list of public gas and electricity utility company phone numbers is available here. If a ratepayer is unable to resolve an issue with their utility company, residents should contact NJBPU’s Customer Assistance team by filling out this online form, or by calling (800) 624-0241 and leaving a voicemail.

08/21/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the county has secured more than $7 million in aid for COVID-19 response. Grants will focus on future testing and reimbursement for costs already incurred in its diligent response to the pandemic.

The funding includes $3,819,380 in reimbursement dollars for expenses Morris County incurred as of June 30 and which were not covered by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) dollars, insurance or other funding. An additional $357,500 is earmarked to continue testing operations until December and $2,915,033 to support the testing of vulnerable and priority populations moving forward.Morris County’s extensive response included, among other actions, opening a testing center, monitoring the virus spread, direct aid to food pantries, partnering with health providers and providing infrared thermometers to community and faith-based groups.

Morris County, along with 11 other counties, received no direct CARES Act funding from the federal government this past spring because direct aid was predicated on a requirement a county have a population of at least 500,000 residents. Morris County missed that threshold by a mere 8,000 residents, while nine other counties, two of which barely met the population requirement, shared in $1.05 billion in direct aid. 

Morris County freeholders flagged the population requirement as arbitrary, and urged the Governor in April to provide Morris County with a share of $2.4 billion the State of New Jersey received from the CARES Act. The freeholders’ request was supported in a joint letter by Republican State Sen. Anthony Bucco, Democratic State Sen. Dick Codey, and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill. They argued it is unfair to deny aid to some counties and give millions to others, particularly when the counties have virtually the same populations. They also noted the pandemic’s impact on Morris County residents last spring was much higher than in other counties that each received nearly $90 million or more in direct aid.

The new funding provides opportunities for the county to conduct at-home testing programs and work with municipal health officials to establish scheduled mobile testing sites. A more detailed plan is already in development and will be available in the near future.

For more information on the initiatives taken by Morris County to address COVID-19 since February and other significant announcements about the virus in New Jersey, go to https://morriscountynj.gov/covidannouncements/.

08/21/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that acting on a commitment to deliver relief to communities who were not eligible for federal funding allocated through the CARES Act, $37 million in support for 12 additional counties will be provided to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will be made available to counties in three separate tranches under one Memorandum of Agreement. The 12 counties include: Atlantic; Burlington; Cape May; Cumberland; Gloucester; Hunterdon; Mercer; Morris; Salem; Somerset; Sussex; and Warren. These counties were ineligible for Coronavirus Relief Funding because their populations are below 500,000.

The first portion of funding, approximately $15 million in total, provides counties with a reimbursement for COVID-19 related expenses to date. This money represents 25 percent of the county cost share with FEMA paying the remaining 75 percent, along with other eligible Coronavirus Relief Fund expenses. These funds will be made available to all 12 counties upon signing the MOU and upon proper documentation of the expenditures. were made available to all 12 counties upon signing the MOU.

The second portion of funding will help counties stand up and maintain testing sites. All 12 counties will receive $357,500 for this purpose.

The final allotment is based on population size, and each county will receive funds from the CDC’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for the Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases to support ongoing testing of vulnerable and high-risk populations. Counties will receive this funding only after submitting a testing plan and gaining approval of that plan by the Department of Health. The sum total of this portion of funding is $17 million.

A breakdown of funding by county can be found here.

08/20/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the nonprofit Table of Hope, with support of the Morris County Board of Freeholders, Sheriff, and other officials and organizations serving Morris County, will hold a food and school supplies distribution event at County College of Morris on Saturday, Aug. 29 in Randolph.

All Morris County residents are welcome to attend the event, which will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Parking Lot 1 on the CCM campus. Visitors are asked to use the college’s Dover Chester Road entrance. Face coverings are required for everyone who comes to campus.

County residents and families can receive fresh produce, meat, dairy, canned goods and other groceries. It will operate as a contactless drive-through event with cars stopping at different food stations categorized by food type. Volunteers will place bags or boxes filled with food into automobile trunks. There also will be a separate station to distribute backpacks with school supplies.

In March, Table of Hope began operating weekly mobile food distribution programs in Morristown, Parsippany and Dover, along with additional grocery supply events in other Morris County communities.

Prior to COVID-19, its pantry in Morristown served about 65 people weekly. The number now being served each week at each mobile distribution event averages 500 to 600, reports Teresa Williams, executive director of the Spring Street Community Development Center. To date, more than 18,500 individuals and families have been helped and more than 899,300 pounds of food has been distributed.

Table of Hope also operates a soup kitchen that during the pandemic has continued to provide dinners as a take-out service.  Table of Hope receives food from the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside, local farms and food service companies. To volunteer or make a donation, visit the Spring Street CDC website at https://springstreetcdc.org/.

Along with Table of Hope, numerous other services are available to assist residents in Morris County’s 39 municipalities who are in need of food. A list of available food services, including food pantries, volunteer shopper organizations, meal delivery services and take-out meal services, can be found at https://hs.morriscountynj.gov/food-services/.

08/19/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that small businesses in the county will share in the $15.3 million in Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Emergency Security (CARES) Act funding the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has made available to select businesses in 12 counties, including Morris, that did not receive direct aid from the federal government. The limited grant program is earmarked for business owners that did not get any direct federal CARES Act funding. Grants are to be provided to businesses that had already applied as of the July deadline for aid through the NJEDA’s Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program.

The NJEDA has a newly created "Small Business Dedicated Team" (SBDT) with a direct email: smallbusinessservices@njeda.com. More information on the SBDT can be found at: https://www.njeda.com/small_midsize_business/services.

08/18/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advising individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes two additional states — Alaska and Delaware, bringing the total to 35 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, August 18, there are currently 35 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alaska; Alabama; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; Nevada; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Virgin Islands; and Wisconsin.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

08/18/20: Morris County issued a press release warning residents that cyber scammers are trying to take advantage of the COVID pandemic by getting Morris County residents to click on a internet link with “information” supposedly sent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), warns the Morris County Office of Information Technology. 

The scammers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to find creative ways to weaken your defenses. In this instance, a supposed CDC email includes the following intense subject line: “NOTICE OF CLOSING YOUR FACILITY AND DISINFECTNG THE AREA – BY NCDC WH 20982 COV-19 Due To Recent Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic.”

You are instructed to download an attachment that is supposedly a letter from the CDC claiming they will close your workplace. If you download the file, however, you will find that it is actually a malicious program designed to gain access to your organization’s sensitive information.

How to beat the bad guys:

• Think before you click. These malicious actors are playing with your emotions and this threat relies on panicked clicking.
• Never click a link or download an attachment from an email you weren’t expecting. Remember, even if the sender appears to be from a legitimate organization, the email address could be spoofed.
• If you receive a suspicious email that claims to be from an official organization, such as the CDC or World Health Organization (WHO), report the email to the official organization through their website.

Stop Look Think – Don’t be fooled! Get more information on COVID-19 scams from the Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams-consumer-advice

08/16/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that drive-through farm tours at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris Township are underway, now through October 30th. From the comfort and safety of your vehicle, you can tour the circa 1900 farm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Tour times are 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m.  Each tour will last approximately 45 minutes. 

See farm animals including Hobbes, the retired Belgian draft horse who worked the farm for years with his late partner Calvin, various breeds of sheep, Jersey cows, and Carl the ox. The farm’s vegetable gardens are flourishing, right around the corner from the barns and the farmer’s house. Overlooking the 213-acre farm is the Willows, the 1854 Gothic revival-style mansion that was once the home to the elite Foster family. This architectural gem, along with the farm, was bequeathed to Morris County by the adventurous Caroline Foster. Special demonstrations include corn cracking, butter churning, clothes washing and more. 

Preregistration is a required, and the cost is $10 per carload. Register and pay online here. Visit morrisparks.net for more information.

08/15/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 178, which temporarily extends certain statutory deadlines across state government that require review and action by agencies before a specified deadline. The statutory deadlines, in addition to certain effective dates that are being delayed, are included in the accompanying Appendix to the Order. 

08/15/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 177, which creates a modified vote-by-mail (VBM) election for the November 3rd General Election. The order suspends the sending of sample ballots and requires that each county’s elections officials send VBM ballots with pre-paid postage to all active registered voters for the General Election. Additionally, every voter will have the option to either return their ballot through a secure drop box or turn in their ballot at a polling location on Election Day. The Administration is working with the Department of State to implement a new online voter registration system where New Jersey residents will have the opportunity to register to vote. The online system will launch on September 4, 2020.

In order to address the influx of VBM ballots, the executive order will extend the deadline to allow ballots being returned through the United States Postal Service (USPS) with a postmark on or before November 3rd to be counted as a valid ballot by the County Clerk, if received by 8:00 p.m. on November 10th. Ballots without a postmark that are received by the county boards of elections within 48 hours of the closing of polls on November 3rd shall be considered valid.

Today’s executive order will also require a minimum of at least one polling place in each municipality and a minimum of 50 percent of polling places in each county to provide New Jersey voters with access to in-person voting opportunities, including accommodations for voters with disabilities. All public schools will close for in-person instruction on November 3rd to allow counties to use their buildings as polling locations, if necessary. Polling locations will be required to follow public health standards, including ensuring six feet of distance, requiring poll workers to wear face coverings and gloves, frequent sanitization of high-touch areas, and providing sanitization materials to all individuals at a polling place.  

08/15/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the Administration will award $150 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to New Jersey’s public and private colleges and universities to help offset costs incurred as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The application is available for eligible institutions to receive federal Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) from the state which can be used for costs such as those related to cleaning and disinfecting supplies, the transition to online learning, and support for testing, among other eligible costs.

Institutional awards will be based on an OSHE-developed allocation rationale that incorporates priority student populations from the New Jersey State Higher Education Plan, “Where Opportunity Meets Innovation: A Student-Centered Vision for New Jersey Higher Education.” This includes institutions’ share of Pell recipients, underrepresented minorities, and overall student enrollments. These priority populations have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, institutions serving larger proportions of these students will receive a larger share to ensure funding is distributed equitably. This funding rationale also aligns with the state’s focus on an equitable restart of campus operations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To receive these funds, institutions must submit an application to OSHE that outlines how institutions will use funds to cover eligible expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency between March 1 and Dec. 30, 2020. For more information, please see the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s website.  

08/14/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that Governor Murphy has announced today that the General Election in New Jersey this November will employ primarily a vote-by-mail balloting system. The Governor, at his daily public briefing today, said that all active registered voters will automatically receive a prepaid, return-postage vote-by-mail ballot. The Morris County Board of Freeholders in a resolution sent to the Governor this week, unanimously asked the Governor and state Legislature to reject an primarily by-mail voting system for the November General Election and to consider safe COVID-19 options for in-person voting, instead.

According to the Gov. Murphy’s directive,  all ballots will be mailed from County Clerks by Monday, October 5. 

Voters will be able return ballots: 

• By mail
• By depositing it in a secure drop box
• By handing it directly to a poll worker at a polling place on Election Day

All ballots being returned through the U.S. Postal System must: 

Ballots that lack postmarks due to postal error and received by 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5 will be considered valid.

In addition, the Governor’s order  requires the following:

• Each municipality will be required to open at least one in-person polling site;
• All counties must ensure that at least 50 percent of their total polling places are open on Election Day;
• Any voter who chooses to cast their vote in-person will do so on a provisional ballot.
• All individuals with disabilities will have access to an ADA-conforming voting machine.

On Election Day, all public schools will close to in-person instruction to facilitate use of the building as an in-person polling place.

08/13/20: Morris County issued a press release  announcing that the Morris County Board of Freeholders, which is committed to helping to control the spread of  COVID-19, is announcing a COVID-19 program to make available infrared thermometers to requesting community organizations and faith-based groups for use at group gatherings that follow state social distancing and face covering guidelines. Recognizing that a congregation of individuals is sometimes unavoidable, county government will make 300 infrared thermometers available at no cost to community and faith-based groups that generally have gatherings that attract more than 20 persons, to better ensure overall public wellness. 

The freeholders, at the request of the Morris Communities Panel of the Morris County Recovery Task Force, have approved spending $32,100 to purchase the infrared devices. Infrared thermometers will be available for free on a first-come, first-serve basis – one per organization. Interested groups must fill out a required from to apply for thermometers. Visit: https://morriscountynj.seamlessdocs.com/f/thermometerRequest

The Board of Freeholders, Morris County Office of Health Management and local health departments partner with and rely on community groups for educational and screening programs. These community groups and faith-based organizations host soup kitchens, food pantries, warming and cooling centers, mental health and addictions programs, among others services that would draw group gatherings. They also are part of the county’s public emergency response team, and will be important partners in future distribution of mass immunization or distribution of antivirals for COVID-19.

08/13/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that New Jersey’s public and private school districts will be open for in-person instruction for the start of the school year. Public school districts can begin the school year via remote-only instruction if they cannot adequately meet critical health and safety protocols outlined in the state’s school reopening guidance, “The Road Back,” which was released in late June. Districts who need to delay the implementation of in-person instruction will be required to submit information to the Department of Education (DOE) describing the health and safety standards that they are currently unable to adequately meet, how they will address outstanding issues in a timely fashion, and a proposed timeline for reopening physical school spaces to students and staff for in-person instruction.

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 175, which directed the following for school districts:

• Districts are required to certify to DOE that they can meet the health and safety protocols outlined in the Order, and further detailed in the “Road Back,” before resuming in-person instruction.  Private school districts will also be required to submit this certification;
• Districts that can meet the health and safety protocols shall open to students for in-person instruction in the fall;
• Even if school buildings are open for in-person instruction on the first day of the 2020-2021 school year, districts must provide a remote learning option for parents or guardians who request it for their children;
• Districts unable to adequately meet health and safety reopening protocols must provide remote instruction to all students. These districts are required to submit documentation to DOE detailing which standard(s) the district is unable to satisfy, the anticipated efforts that will be taken to satisfy the standard(s), and a date by which the school anticipates resuming in-person instruction;
• All schools required to participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program and those that voluntarily opt-in to those programs must offer required meals to all children on remote-learning days.

Executive Order 175 also waives the use of student growth data from standardized assessments for this year’s educator evaluations. Executive Order 175 further permits institutions of higher education to resume in-person instruction not previously permitted under Executive Order 155, provided they can meet previously outlined health and safety protocols from the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, effective immediately.  

08/12/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the first phase of the New Jersey Small and Micro Business PPE Access Program, designed to ensure that the State’s small businesses and non-profits have access to the fairly priced personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to facilitate safe working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The phase was approved by the NJEDA’s Board today, advancing this initial step of a $15 million initiative to address ongoing demand for PPE.

In May 2020, Governor Murphy established the Restart and Recovery Commission and Restart and Recovery Council to guide New Jersey’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the Commission and the Council highlighted the need for readily available, reasonably priced, and equitably distributed PPE to accelerate a safe and robust economic recovery. The NJEDA also received input on the PPE Access Program from the Senate Fiscal Strategists Committee.

Under the Program’s first phase, the State will launch a new website that provides micro and small businesses with the information needed to make easier and better PPE sourcing decision.  The website will also offer a vetted list of online retailers that have agreed to verify the quality of the PPE they are selling and offer at least a 10% discount to businesses who enter through the State’s website.  Online retailers will be vetted on a first-come, first serve basis by the NJEDA, and must agree to certain performance standards for their site (e.g., transparent pricing, high-quality products, etc.).  Vetted online retailers will also be eligible to access an NJDEA grant pool of up to $3.5M to support the purchase of PPE that is manufactured in New Jersey or sourced from a small wholesaler based in a historically underserved community.

Assuming the first phase of the program is successful, the NJEDA intends to expand the program with a $11M of support for micro and small businesses PPE purchases.  The intent is for this support to flow directly through the vetted online vendors, allowing users to access the grant funds at the time of their online checkout.  Through this innovative public-private approach, the State anticipates that it could support more than $45 million in PPE purchases and more than 50,000 small and micro businesses.

During March and April, New Jersey saw an unprecedented spike in the demand for PPE, largely driven by the healthcare sector. Today the availability of PPE has improved, but as more parts of the economy reopen and other U.S. States face spikes in COVID-19 cases, demand for PPE to protect employees and customers has surged.  The resulting shortages and increased prices disproportionately effect small businesses and organizations and those in historically underserved communities.

In June the NJEDA issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather input and suggestions that could help to shape a possible program to ensure small businesses had sufficient access to PPE. Taking this feedback into account, the NJEDA crafted the NJ Small and Micro Business PPE Access Program to ensure access to affordable PPE, help business owners understand the specific safety equipment they need, and support the state’s manufacturing sector by encouraging PPE suppliers to manufacture products in New Jersey.

Applications for the online retailers to participate in the program are expected to launch as soon as possible. The public facing website, including small business decision-making tools and vetted discounted retailers will follow by early-to-mid September. More information can be found on the State’s COVID19.nj.gov website.

To support the expansion of local PPE manufacturing in New Jersey, the NJEDA will provide grant funding to subsidize up to 20% of the purchases of PPE that has been (i) manufactured or assembled in New Jersey or (ii) sources from a wholesaler with less than 25 employees and is located in a historically underserved community (Opportunity Zone Eligible census tracts). Throughout the pandemic, NJEDA has been working closely with the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) to identify and support companies that make or have pivoted to make PPE, many of which could supply New Jersey-made goods to the Program’s vetted online vendors.

The NJEDA is setting aside an additional $0.5 million for program development, marketing, administration, and compliance.

To read Governor Murphy's full economic plan, please visit: https://nj.gov/economicplan.

08/11/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has announced that its Board has approved use of $15.3 million in COVID-19 federal CARES Act funding to provide grants to businesses in 12 counties, including Morris County, that did not receive direct allocations from the federal government. The funds will be added to the more than $100 million the NJEDA is currently administering to support COVID-19-impacted businesses.

The $15.3 million approved for use today will go toward fulfilling eligible Phase 2 grant applications from businesses located in the 12 New Jersey counties that did not receive direct CARES Act funding: Morris, Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren.

For information on the program and how to apply for funding, call 844-965-1125  or email customercare@njeda.com

08/11/20: Morris County issued a press release annoucing tips for Morris County older residents on dealing with isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our communities, physical distancing remains the order of the day — especially for older adults. But socializing is a basic human need, and studies show it contributes to better physical and emotional health. Isolation, on the other hand, is linked to depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, a weakened immune system, and high blood pressure, among other maladies. It is important for seniors to seek out ways to connect with others while minimizing their exposure to the coronavirus. Michelle Borden, CEO of Parsippany based NewBridge Services, a nonprofit partner of Morris County government that offers counseling services, housing and educational programas in North Jersery, offers the following

Use Technology

Video conferencing, using FaceTime, Zoom and other programs on smartphones, tablets or computers, has become a popular way to “gather” with family and friends. Getting started on the programs may be challenging for seniors new to technology; call a tech-savvy neighbor, friend or family member to coach you through the process. Phones, whether ‘smart’ or landline, are also excellent for staying in touch; some people feel more comfortable conversing without being on camera. People can call in to join a Zoom conversation. Movie buffs with Netflix accounts can set up ‘watch parties’ using a free Google Chrome extension, which can be downloaded at netflixparty.com. Click here for step-by-step instructions.

The Art of the Letter

If tech is not your thing, consider making connections the way people have for centuries: through letter-writing. Handwriting (or typing) letters allows you to process thoughts and feelings and create a bond with the recipient. Mailing or delivering ‘thinking of you’ cards is a thoughtful way to remind recipients they are not forgotten.

Join an Online Class or Group

Many social groups, including religious communities, are hosting online gatherings. An organization called Senior Planet offers free access to virtual exercise classes. Online learning opportunities also abound. Platforms such as coursera.org and edX.org offer both free and fee options. Courses, which may be live-streamed, self-paced, or some combination, are taught by university professors.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Center at Rutgers University is running more than 30 online courses during its summer session, and registration will begin soon for the fall. Anyone age 50 and over can study areas of interest with no assignments or grades.
The Virtual Senior Center run by the nonprofit Selfhelp Community Services is an online community of seniors who take courses, enjoy cultural experiences and discuss topics of interest in real time over their home computers and tablets. While volunteer opportunities are harder to come by during the pandemic, some organizations are seeking virtual helpers. The nonprofit Points of Light maintains a list of virtual volunteer opportunities.

Get Together In Person

Seniors can socialize in person, as long as you take precautions. Walking, running or biking with a friend is a great way to stay both fit and connected. Keep at least a six-foot distance, and wear a mask if you’re unable to maintain that distance. Some senior citizen groups offer fitness classes either outdoors or indoors, with participants well spaced and other safety measures in place.
Picnicking with a couple of friends or family members is a fun way to spend the day, but be sure to wear masks when not eating. Use hand sanitizer, especially if you’re sharing any utensils.

Struggling?

The pandemic is taking a toll on us all. To get through it, we have to make self-care part of our daily routine, and that includes staying connected with others. If you are struggling, contact NewBridge Services at 973-316-9333 to schedule a telehealth counseling session.The Institute on Aging has a Friendship Line at 1-800-971-0016 that is both a crisis intervention hotline and a nonemergency warmline for emotional support. Check out NewBridge’s summer newsletter created specifically for seniors for more information and advice.

08/11/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Park Commission still has openings in three virtual camps for children scheduled held through the end of the summer. Each meets daily for an hour or more via an online link.
Supplies are included in the tuition and must be picked up prior to the start of the camp week. Preregistration is required for all of the camps. Sign up here. To register for all of these camps and to see a list of other events, visit the Morris Parks contactless registration page here. For a full overview of Morris Parks, visit MorrisParks.net.

08/11/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advising individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. In addition to the Virgin Islands, the updated advisory includes two additional states Hawaii and South Dakota – with Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio, and Rhode Island removed from the list, bringing the total to 33 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state or territory with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, August 11, there are currently 33 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Arkansas; Arizona; California; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; Nevada; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Virgin Islands; and Wisconsin.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

08/11/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Administrative Order 2020-17, which authorizes the reopening of computer labs at private and public colleges and universities in New Jersey. Computer labs at public and private colleges and universities must abide by the health and safety protocols as well as sanitization requirements that are described in the Administrative Order. The Order will take effect at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11^th.

08/10/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the Administration’s proposal to provide long-term care facilities with $155 million in additional funding as they look to reopen to visitors and resume normal operations. The funding—which will be a mix of state and federal monies—will allow for the implementation of NJDOH Executive Directive 20-026 for the safe phased reopening of long-term care facilities for indoor visitation by appointment and other activities if the facilities have no COVID-19 cases among residents or staff. Before reopening, facilities must meet certain public health benchmarks including adequate infection control, staff and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure preparedness. 

Under NJDOH Executive Directive 20-026, at what point a facility is permitted to enter a reopening phase depends on compliance with the following benchmarks:

• Facilities must not have an active outbreak. An outbreak is considered concluded when a facility has 28 days – two incubation periods with no new positive staff or residents – and, if a CMS-certified facility, a DOH survey inspection. 
• They must be fully staffed and have a plan for additional staffing in case of an outbreak or emergency. 
• Staff testing must continue to be conducted weekly.
• It is essential that they have enough PPE for present use in addition to a stockpile for emergencies.
• They must have an updated outbreak plan with lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan must also include a communications strategy that outlines regular communication with residents and families about cases and outbreaks or any other emergency. The plan must also include methods for virtual communication in the event of visitation restrictions. The plan must be posted on their website.
• Facilities must contract with an infection control service within two months or hire a full-time employee in the infection control role if they have more than 100 beds or hemodialysis. 
• Facilities with ventilator beds are required to hire an infection control employee per current statute.
• Every facility will be required to put in place within nine months a respiratory protection program that complies with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards including medical screenings and fit testing of employees using respirators (N95 Masks).

There are four phases of NJDOH’s reopening plan as outlined in the Executive Directive, all tied to the state’s planned stages of reopening. All facilities start in Phase 0 as of today.

Once visitation can begin, facilities must follow rigorous infection prevention and control protocols, including:

• Visitor screening, including temperature checks;
• Requiring visitors to practice routine infection prevention and control precautions including wearing a mask and social distancing;
• Having a plan that limits hours of visitation and number of visitors in the facility at one time. Residents will be limited to two visitors at a time;
• Identifying a visitation area that allows for social distancing and deep cleaning if the resident is in a shared room;
• Receiving informed consent from the visitor and resident acknowledging that they are aware of the risks of exposure to COVID-19 and that they will follow rules set by the facility;
• Instructing visitors to monitor for fever or other COVID-19 symptoms for at least 14 days after their visit, and to immediately notify the facility if they experience symptoms.

Recognizing that some residents need additional support regardless of the situation at their facility or their COVID status, a new category of essential caregiver will be added for all residents with proper precautions such as screening and the use of PPE. 

08/10/20: The Montville Public Schools has published a draft of their planned "Reopening Plan September 2020", along with a Question and Answer document (updated August 7, 2020), the Superintendent's PowerPoint presention on the plan, and the Superintendent's letter to Parents, Guardians, Staff Members, and Students dated July 31, 2020. These documents can be found on the Montville Public Schools website at https://www.montvilletwpps.nj.schools.bz/Content2/1266. 

08/10/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that County College of Morris has announced a “Return to Campus Plan” that is designed to support resumption of on-campus operations through a phased-in approach that prioritizes the health of college’s employees, students, and visitors. The plan, designed to address the Fall 2020 Semester, calls for reopening the college on a very limited basis and for the majority of classes to be conducted online. The plan may be extended or modified if necessary, according to state, local, or county mandates. Read the full plan.

The plan may be modified at the direction of the Board of Trustees or the college’s administration should health conditions deteriorate, if policy changes are needed, or should financial conditions dictate. Because the COVID-19 virus offers an unpredictable and unprecedented environment, employees and students should be prepared to work and learn exclusively off campus with little notice if state mandates or campus conditions require such action. The plan does not supersede, alter, or address  existing employee contracts. It does, however, extend substantial consideration and flexibility of the working and learning environment for the benefit of employees and students.

Visit the CCM website for more information on the college and its COVID-19 response.

08/10/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the state has created a Small Landlord Emergency Grant Program,  to provide emergency grant funding to small property owners for COVID-19 related decreases in rent revenue for a four-month period between April and July of this year. The program, to be administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, is funded through the federal CARES Act. 

Grant amounts will be based on the total amount of missed rental payments and the number of COVID-impacted rental units that serve low- and moderate-income tenants. Landlords who receive assistance will be required to pass along benefits to their tenants by forgiving back rent and late fees accumulated by COVID-19 impacted units. Applications must be submitted between Aug. 19 and Aug. 26.

Qualified applicants must meet the following specifications:

• Owners with properties that have at least 3 but no more than 10 total housing units;
• Owners with properties that are not seasonal or vacation rentals;
• Properties must have current fire inspection certificates as of March 9, 2020;
• Owners of properties with at least one non-vacant rental unit impacted by COVID-19 between April and July 2020; and
• Owners with properties that have low- to moderate-income rent levels or rent based on up to 80% of the median area income.

Grant funding will be allocated based on the number of COVID-impacted units, and the amount of missed rent. Applicants must be the Primary Property Owner of a residential rental property in New Jersey and be registered with DCA’s Bureau of Housing Inspection as of July 17. Applicants can check here to see if their property is registered.

For more information on the Small Landlord Emergency Grant Program,visit www.njhousing.gov/rentals/sleg

08/08/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that, urging people to answer critical calls from contact tracers, the New Jersey Department of Health today unveiled an online dashboard highlighting New Jersey’s contact tracing efforts throughout the state.

The Contact Tracing Dashboard, which will be updated on Fridays, provides information such as: the percentage of cases successfully interviewed, those who provided contacts, contacts notified, and more. According to current data, 61 percent of cases were successfully followed up, and nearly half of all contacts were notified of their exposure. 

The state, working with the Rutgers School of Public Health and Public Consulting Group, is continuing to build a strong, quality contact tracing program. CommCare, the state’s uniform data reporting system, was introduced and launched statewide in early July. To date, 1,344 contact tracers are in the field, which includes existing local health department staff and Rutgers-trained contact tracers that have been deployed by the NJDOH. A total of 638 contact tracers have been hired through the Rutgers School of Public Health, 349 of whom have already completed training and been deployed by NJDOH. The Rutgers School of Public Health is contracted to hire a total of 1,000 contact tracers.

As the dashboard shows currently, the biggest reason why contact tracers have been unable to follow-up on cases is because people have not answered the call. In addition, 45 percent of people who tested positive declined to share information on their close contacts. The Department of Health began a multi-media, multilingual statewide public awareness campaign this week to encourage people to get tested and to increase the public’s knowledge of what contact tracing is and the role it plays in preventing spread of the disease.

“While we are moving in the right direction, the success of our efforts depends on people—particularly young adults--answering the call from contact tracers and providing the information needed to stop the spread of COVID and protect those who come in contact with someone who has tested positive,” said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “I want to thank all of our public health workers for hard work during this pandemic and thank those New Jersey residents who have taken calls from contact tracers. But in order to prevent further spread of the virus, we need everyone to share in that responsibility by answering the call. We are all in this together.”

The dashboard also provides the number of contact tracers working in each county. With a current average of 15 contact tracers for every 100,000 residents, the state will prioritize assigning additional tracers to counties that need to reach this level. Once all counties have reached this benchmark, the goal will rise to 30 contact tracers for every 100,000 residents. The progress of the virus will also be taken into account when addressing contact tracing needs. The Department will continue to review and assess information available on the dashboard.

Contact tracing is a decades-old practice used in New Jersey and throughout the world to inform people and help protect them from the spread of contagious viruses and diseases such as the measles, HIV and now COVID-19.  A contact tracer will provide critical health and safety information, as well as resources for social services.

A contact tracer will identify themselves as working with the local health department when they call. All information will be kept confidential. Contact tracers will never ask for a Social Security number, financial information or immigration status. 

If you are notified as being a close contact, quarantine for 14 days, monitor your symptoms, and get tested. If there are any doubts, the person called can request the name of anyone who calls and call their local health department to verify. If a resident suspects a call is a scam, they can report it to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs at 973-504-6240.

08/06/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Office of Emergency Management is cautioning county residents who are using generators to provide emergency power to their homes due to storm-related power outages to be sure to properly ventilate the generators. OEM officials say that hospitals in the county have been handling cases of people who have been sickened due to inhaling exhaust from generators due to poor ventilation.

Portable generators made for household use can provide temporary power for appliances or lights. Commercial generators can help prevent service interruptions at businesses and critical infrastructure facilities, such as hospitals, water treatment facilities, telecommunications networks, and emergency response agencies. However, there are also safety issues involved with generators, especially those used infrequently by homeowners.

Make sure you position generators outdoors and well away from any structure. Running a generator inside any enclosed or partially enclosed structure can lead to dangerous and often fatal levels of carbon monoxide. Keep generators positioned outside and at least 15 feet away from open windows so exhaust does not enter your home/business or a neighboring home/business.

The federal government also suggests the following:

• Keep the generator dry
• Disconnect the power coming into your home/business
• Make sure your generator is properly grounded
• Plug equipment directly into the generator
• DO NOT plug the generator into a wall outlet
• Maintain an adequate supply of fuel.
• Turn the generator off and let it cool before refueling

For more specific information, visit the federal Office of Energy Security and Emergency Response or First Energy.

08/05/20: JCP&L has reported that as of 7:30am on 08/05/20, 122,359 of their customers in Morris County remain without power, including 8965 of customers in Montville. JCP&L also issued a press release with an update on their response, including notice of the activation of their Retail Water and Ice program. Customers remaining out of service can pick up free water and ice at locations throughout the state. Locations can be found on this list. In the Montville area, the nearest locations to pick up free water and ice are:

• ACME Supermarket, 550 Myrtle Avenue, Boonton
• Kings Supermarket, 115 Hawkins Place, Boonton 

08/04/20: Morris County issued a press release regarding Tropical Storm Isaias for Morris County.

Rain: We are currently experiencing a rain event which has been heavy at times. The forecast data suggests that we may experience some thunderstorms this morning and afternoon, with an anticipated conclusion early this evening, as Isaias exits towards the north-northeast. The previously released rainfall amounts of 3-6″ remain as part of the current forecast data with some localized higher amounts possible further west.

Wind: The weather data suggests that winds will increase towards midday and afternoon, with gusts to 55-60 mph possible. Sustained winds of 18-34 mph will also remain possible through the midday and afternoon hours before decreasing after 5-6 pm. Peak wind timing is estimated between 12:00-6:00pm. Isaias is expected to push north after 6:00pm, with some additional chances for isolated to scattered showers from about 8:00pm until approximately midnight.

Please use extreme caution when driving on the wet roads. The increased rain can result in drivers easily losing control of their vehicle. Hydroplaning happens when the water in front of your tires builds up faster than your car’s weight can push it out of the way. The water pressure causes your car to rise up and slide on a thin layer of water between your tires and ultimately the inability to control your vehicle. We encourage you to adjust your travel times, decrease your speed and drive consistent with the road conditions. Safety should be your number one priority!

We would also ask that the public NOT call 9-1-1 for power related issues unless it is a TRUE EMERGENCY. In addition, the 9-1-1 system should not be used for any other non-emergency calls. We want to make sure that our 9-1-1 operators are able to focus on true storm emergencies and we ask that the public cooperate in this regard.

• Please make sure you take care of your animals and don’t put them outside when storm conditions are significant and potentially dangerous.
• Please check on the elderly and those with special needs pre-storm to make sure they have adequate supplies and that they have a plan in the event that power is out.
• We highly suggest that lawn and deck furniture as well as other items that could easily be impacted by the wind be significantly secured and/or removed.

Potential Power Outage Information (JCP&L):

• We have been in contact with our partners at Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) and they are closely monitoring this storm.
• In the event that power outages occur due to severe weather, customers without power are encouraged to report their outage by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), clicking the “Report Outage” link on www.firstenergycorp.com, or texting “OUT” to 544487.
• Customers should immediately report downed wires to 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or call their local police department. JCP&L reminds customers to stay away from downed wires, even if they believe they are no longer carrying electricity. Downed trees may create road hazards, and may be entangled with power lines. Extreme caution should be used. Motorists are cautioned to treat intersections with inoperable traffic signals as four-way stops.
• JCP&L customers can subscribe to email and text message alert notifications to receive weather updates in advance of major storms and updates on scheduled or extended power outages. Visit www.firstenergycorp.com/connect to enroll.
• Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com.

08/04/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 174, which declared that New Jersey will enter a State of Emergency beginning on Tuesday, August 4th at 5:00 a.m., ahead of Hurricane Isaias. Executive Order 174 declares a State of Emergency across all 21 counties in New Jersey, allowing resources to be deployed throughout the state during the duration of the hurricane. Additionally, all state offices will be closed on August 4th.

“Hurricane Isaias is expected to impact the state with severe weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy rainfall,” said Governor Murphy. “The safety of our residents is our main priority, and we urge everyone to be informed of local weather conditions and to stay off the roads.” The Governor encourages New Jerseyans to visit ready.nj.gov for important weather updates and safety information. Residents should also pay attention to local forecasts, warnings, and watches.

For those living in Central and Southern New Jersey, visit the U.S. National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly at http://www.weather.gov/phi/

For those living in Northern New Jersey and the New York Metro area, visit the U.S. National Weather Service New York, N.Y. at http://www.weather.gov/okx/ 

08/04/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 173, which decreases the indoor gathering capacity limit in response to the increase of COVID-19 cases in New Jersey. Indoor gatherings are now limited to 25 percent of a room's capacity, but regardless of the room’s capacity, the maximum limit shall be 25 persons, down from 100 persons. For purposes of determining this limit, any private residence or residential unit shall be treated as a single room. However, today’s change will not be applicable to the following events: weddings, funerals, memorial services, religious services or celebrations, and political activities. These events may continue under the previous rules that limited these events to 25 percent of a room's capacity, but with a limit of 100 persons.

08/04/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 172, which allows any public employee eligible for enrollment into the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) to immediately enroll upon hire, rather than waiting two months. Previously, under Executive Order No. 115, the two-month waiting period was waived only for public employees hired specifically in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s Order, which will last for the duration of the Public Health Emergency, applies to any public employee eligible for enrollment into the SHBP who is hired on or after March 9, 2020.

08/04/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advising individuals traveling to New Jersey from additional states with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state. The updated advisory includes the addition of Rhode Island, with both the District of Columbia and Delaware removed from the list, bringing the total to 35 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, August 4, there are currently 35 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alaska; Alabama; Arkansas; Arizona; California; Florida; Georgia; Illinois, Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Kansas; Kentucky, Louisiana; Maryland; Minnesota, Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; New Mexico; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico, Rhode Island; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Washington; and Wisconsin.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

08/01/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 171, which extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order 103, which was previously extended on April 7, May 6, June 4, and July 2. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed. Executive Order 171 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.

08/01/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 170 , which temporarily extends certain statutory deadlines across state government that require review and action by agencies before a specified deadline. The deadlines were previously extended on June 30, with Executive Order No. 159. The statutory deadlines, in addition to certain effective dates that are being delayed, are included in the accompanying Appendix to the Order. The Order will take effect immediately.

07/30/20: The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has created a "Mask Up, New Jersey!" campaign to encourage everyone to wear an effective face covering in outdoor public spaces. Face coverings, along with social distancing, staying home when you are not feeling well, and good hand-washing hygiene, are vital tools in the fight against COVID-19. Wearing an effective face covering has been shown to dramatically decrease the release of droplets from people's mouths, which can carry and transmit infectious particles. 

07/30/20: Morris County issued a press release with a KnowBe4 scam alert warning residents to watch out online for fake COVID charities. With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging, people across Morris County are doing what they can to help one another, to be supportive of friends and neigbors and community members in need. But not everyone is benevolent.

The bad guys using cyber tricks are trying to use this compassion to their advantage. Many are posing as charitable organizations that claim to fund research, support hospitals, or provide help to victims of the virus. Be careful. Don’t be fooled, warns Morris County’s Office of Information Technology. Want to donate to real causes? Here are some tips:

• Do your research. Use a trusted website like Charity Navigator to research an organization before making donations.
• Reach out. Contact your charitable organization of choice directly by going to their website or calling your local chapter.
• Never trust a link. Even if the email appears to be sent from a legitimate organization, type the webpage into your browser instead of clicking a link provided in an email.

Stop Look Think – Don’t be fooled. KnowBe4.com

07/29/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that officials at Saint Clare’s Health System say their hospitals are virtually free of COVID patients and preparing aggressively for any recurrence of the virus, but they are not seeing a return of patients for non-COVID medical conditions. Saint Clare's is operating at 60 percent of capacity in the emergency department, a situation that is similar at other local hospitals in Morristown, Pequannock and Newton.

Saint Clare’s reached a high mark in April of 120 COVID patients at its Denville and Dover facilities. Today, they just have three COVID patients, and just one in the ICU, compared to 60 a few months ago. To deal with the virus, officials said Saint Clare’s test all admissions. All surgeries are set up 72 hours in advance, with patients tested for COVID and asked to quarantine prior to surgery. Visitation is limited to one person per patient for four hours a day, with mandatory temperature checks. Hospital employees also are checked daily, and required to wear personal protective equipment.

For more information on Saint Clare’s Health: https://www.saintclares.com/

For information on Morris County’s COVID-19 response: https://health.morriscountynj.gov/coronavirus/

For more on Covid-19, visit the State Department of Health: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml

07/28/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that volunteers from nonprofit Jersey Cares are doing grocery shopping for older or disabled Morris County residents, in a partnership with the Morris County Office on Aging, Disabilities, and Community Programming. The program is aimed at keeping persons most vulnerable to COVID-19 out of harm’s way, giving them an option of staying out of supermarkets and other food markets.

While the shopping service is free, it is important to note that participating residents must pay for their food. Also, government electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards cannot be used to pay for groceries. (See CDC tips for grocery shopping during COVID).

Eligible participants must be at least age 60 or be disabled and between ages 18-to-59 and in need of shopping assistance. Program participants are required to provide contact information, a grocery list, and a maximum budget for each shopping trip. More specific program information will be provided when participants call for the service.

To request shopping assistance and get more information: Call 973-285-6848 or 1-800-564-4656. Volunteers have been vetted by Jersey Cares and are ready to serve Morris County residents. To volunteer for the new grocery shopping program, and for more information on Jersey Cares, visit https://www.jerseycares.org/. For more information on Morris County government programs for seniors and disabled county residents, visit: https://hs.morriscountynj.gov/adv/.

07/28/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release advising individuals traveling to New Jersey from additional states with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state. In addition to the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, the updated advisory includes 3 additional states – Illinois, Kentucky, and Minnesota, bringing the total to 36 states and territories. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, July 28, there are currently 36 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alaska; Alabama; Arkansas; Arizona; California; Delaware; District of Columbia, Florida; Georgia; Illinois, Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Kansas; Kentucky, Louisiana; Maryland; Minnesota, Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; New Mexico; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; Puerto Rico, South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Washington; and Wisconsin.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

07/28/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that an additional $15 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding has been made available to New Jersey small businesses struggling with the pandemic. This funding is in addition to the $100 million the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is currently administering through programs to COVID-19-impacted businesses.

The $15 million in CARES Act funds announced today will bolster the NJEDA’s Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program, which provides grant funding for small businesses struggling with COVID-19-related challenges. Launched in early April with $10 million of NJEDA funds, the Program initially offered grants of up to $5,000 to a narrowly-targeted set of small businesses that included restaurants and in-person retail establishments.

In early June, the NJEDA used $50 million in CARES Act funds to expand Phase 1 of the grant program by $5 million and launch Phase 2 of the Grant Program with $45 million. Phase 2 expanded the Program to a significantly broader range of businesses and increased the maximum grant award to $10,000. At that time, Essex, Ocean, and Passaic Counties also provided $10 million each in CARES Act dollars to support additional grants to businesses in those counties. To ensure equitable distribution of funds, the NJEDA set aside one-third of the CARES Act funding to support qualified businesses located in one of the 715 census tracts that were eligible to be selected as a New Jersey Opportunity Zone. Targeting these census tracts will help to ensure funding goes to communities of color that have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic.

To date, more than 10,600 businesses have been approved for grants totaling more than $44 million. The program is currently oversubscribed and not accepting applications, but the NJEDA intends to use the CARES Act funding announced today to fulfill a significant portion of the applications already in the pipeline, particularly where direct federal funding was not provided to counties.

07/24/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Clerk’s Office has opened Notary Services by appointment. Be advised that masks must be worn and clients will be subject to a Thermal Temperature Scan upon entering the building. Anyone with a valid Notary Public Commission may contact our office to schedule an appointment; however, we will be processing those Notaries that will be lapsing first.  All others will be given an appointment that coincides with their 90 day due date. Please have your commission number/ID available so the Clerk can verify the commission date along with the 90-Day Due Date.

Please bring the following to your appointment: 1) Notary Public Commission, 2) a valid form of ID, 3) the required fee of $15.00 (Business Check, Cashier’s Check or Money Order only, NO CASH ACCEPTED), made payable to:  Morris County Clerk, 4) and a pen.

To schedule an appointment, call 973-285-6122.

07/24/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Morristown National Historical Park (NHP) is taking another step in increasing recreational access at the park. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning Friday, July 24, 2020, Morristown NHP will open a visitor contact station within the park. It will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm. One station will be located at the Washington’s Headquarters Museum area, and, as staffing permits, another at the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center area. Additionally, a new cell phone tour of the Washington’s Headquarters area Museum and Ford Mansion grounds is now available. While visiting the park, the following will be open for recreation in accordance with state guidance from 8 am to 8 pm daily:

• All five Jockey Hollow area parking lots (Visitor Center, Wick House, Soldier Huts, New York Brigade and Trail Center)
• New Jersey Brigade/Cross Estate area parking lot will be increased to 100% parking capacity
• Jockey Hollow Tour Road
• Soldier Huts
• All 27 miles of hiking trails
• Equestrian trail use (5 trailer spaces at the Visitor Center parking lot only)

Appropriate recreation includes such activities as walking, hiking, running, and bicycling. Prohibited activities include large group gatherings and activities, and picknicking. Permanent restroom facilities in Jockey Hollow will be closed; however, portable restroom units will be available for public use. Parking will be restricted to the park’s surface parking lots only. 

Additionally, the following areas will remain closed to the public in this phase in the interest of public health and following federal, state and local guidelines:

• Jockey Hollow Visitor Center
• New York Brigade Comfort Station
• Wick House and herb garden
• Washington’s Headquarters Area: Ford Mansion and Washington’s Headquarters Museum (grounds and parking lots are open for passive recreation)

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, park vehicles in designated parking spaces, practice principles (carry in-carry out trash), avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/morr or on Facebook and Instagram using our social media handle: @morristownnps. Learn more about the collections at http://morristownnhpmuseum.blogspot.com/. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

07/24/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that inmates at the Morris County Correctional Facility who have not received in-person visits in more than four months because of COVID-19 restrictions soon will be able to connect to family and friends through wireless tablets. The county jail, located in Morris Township and run by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, houses inmates from both Morris and Sussex counties. It has been provided with at least 85 Android tablets by GTL, a leader in technology and wireless solutions for correctional facilities.

Although inmates can telephone relatives and friends, the correctional facility on March 16 temporarily suspended in-person inmate visits with family to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The restriction has dispirited some inmates, said Warden Christopher Klein. He noted that tablets will not impact county taxpayers. The cost of the tablet visit will be withdrawn from inmates’ commissary accounts by GTL. Inmates who lack funds will be allotted $3.75 a week from a special inmate welfare fund to engage in 15-minute virtual visits with relatives.

Beyond virtual visits, the tablets also can be used to access approved educational and entertainment materials and in-house request forms. When visitation restrictions are lifted, inmates may also use the tablets to virtually visit with relatives and friends who live out-of-state or cannot make in-person visits. Corrections Lt. Michael Schweizer and Sgts. Raymond Dykstra and Shawn Johnston have been spearheading the tablet project and working with GTL on fine-tuning operational aspects. Regardless of the criminal charges they face, all inmates will have access to the tablets as long as they are in compliance with Correctional Facility rules.

Family and friends who wish to make virtual visits with an inmate at the Morris County Correctional Facility can go to www.gettingout.com/create-account to create an account to access the video visitation. Once the account is set up, funds can be deposited at www.gettingout.com/deposit-funds.

07/24/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Chamber of Commerce is continuing its series of FREE virtual business seminars during the COVID-19 crisis with two more upcoming events that are relevant to the new reality of life. On Tuesday, July 28, Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-25th District) will be featured to discuss the pandemic and state politics. The session will be held at 12 noon and is open, free, to the public. On Thursday, June 30, the topic will switch to municipal government operations during this health crisis. Both virtual events are FREE to the greater Morris County community.

07/24/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the NJ Department of Education today issued clarifying guidance to allow parents to select fulltime remote learning for their children in the 2020-2021 school year. 

Released last month, the Department’s guidance document, “The Road Back: Restart and Recovery Plan for Education,” emphasized that schools should prepared plans to open in some capacity for in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 school year. Since its release, the Department received feedback from many parents who wanted a greater voice in the decision-making process of whether their child should return to in-person learning. In addition, officials in some school districts called on the Department to release guidance to specifically allow for all-remote learning for those students.   

 The core elements of the guidance issued today include:

1. Universal eligibility: All students, including students who receive special education or related services, are eligible for fulltime remote learning if their parent or guardian chooses.
2. Policies and procedures: School districts must set clear policies and procedures for families who want fulltime remote learning for their children. School districts also need procedures for students in fulltime remote learning to transition back to in-person services. These procedures should be designed to ensure that families can make necessary arrangements to prepare for their child’s transition, and to help schools maintain continuity of services.
3. Communications: School districts must communicate clearly and frequently with families, in their home language, about the availability of this offering and the related procedures.
4. Quality of programming: Students participating in all-remote instruction should receive the same quality of instruction that is provided to any other student. In addition, fulltime remote programs must adhere to the same policies and regulations that in-person and hybrid programs follow regarding student attendance and the length of the school day.
5. Data reporting: To help the Department evaluate fulltime remote learning, school districts will report data to the Department about student participation in these programs. 

The full guidance is available on the Department of Education’s “Restart and Recovery: The Road Back” webpage.

 07/23/20: The Morris County Freeholders issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Department of Human Services and the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris are forming a "Team Up" suicide prevention partnership. Suicide prevention during this high-stress COVID-19 crisis will be the focus of a new Team Up partnership. The joint effort, which is being funded by Morris County governerment, will deal with increased mental health issues caused by a host of factors, from loss of jobs and businesses, to isolation and fear of an uncertain future. It will employ social services, mental health, and education professionals to reach out to Morris County residents in need of help.

The Freeholder Board last night approved a $26,160 expenditure to fund a 22-week Team Up program, running from Aug. 1 to Dec. 31, that will offer in-person and virtual help for residents, and online training for educators and professionals to deal with mental health issues during this crisis.

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, stay-at-home orders, self-quarantines, and social distancing have been employed. While these practices are helpful in dealing with the virus, this isolation from family, friends, and community have induced anxiety, depression, fear, and loneliness – all factors that can lead to suicide, according to mental health experts.

The new five-month Morris County and MHAEM program will focus on both adult and youth populations.

• Adult population
  • Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris (MHAEM) professionals will ride along with Morris County’s Navigating Hope mobile social services van one day each week throughout the county. While on Navigating Hope they will educate residents on signs of suicide, assist persons in immediate crisis, and refer residents to available mental health services. The MHAEM also will address the adult population by providing virtual 90-minute presentations on suicide prevention to Morris County residents. They also plan to reach consumers through social media and various programs the agency offers, while the county will help publicize the dates of MHAEM presentations and disseminate information to towns and agencies across Morris County.
• Youth Population
  • The Mental Health Association will work with school districts across Morris County to educate faculty, staff, and students on the signs of suicide. All school districts will be invited to participate in an overview of the components of the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program. MHAEM will offer training — in-person or virtual –on the implementation of the SOS program in schools.

More information on COVID-19 and mental health:

Morris County Stigma-Free: https://morriscountystigmafree.org/covid19/

Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris: https://www.mhaessexmorris.org/covid-19/

NewBridge Services: https://newbridge.org/

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html

07/21/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing individuals traveling to New Jersey from additional states with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state. The updated advisory includes 10 additional states – Alaska, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Virginia, and Washington – with Minnesota removed from the list. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, July 21, there are currently 31 states total that meet the criteria stated above: Alaska; Alabama; Arkansas; Arizona; California; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Kansas; Louisiana; Maryland; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; New Mexico; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Washington; and Wisconsin.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

07/21/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 169, which clarifies Executive Order 164 and states that the postponement of annual municipal and county party committee reorganization meetings is only applicable to municipal party committees and county party committees that held elections during the July primary elections. Municipal party committees and county party committees that did not have an election can conduct their annual meetings as originally scheduled.

07/21/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 168, which allows the resumption of contact practices and competitions in outdoor settings for organized sports defined as “high risk” by the New Jersey Department of Health’s “Guidance for Sports Activities.” Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 149 on May 29, 2020, allowing organized sports to resume on a phased-in schedule as defined by the Department of Health as “low,” “medium,” and “high risk” activities.

The order stipulates that practices and competitions must be held in outdoor settings only, and encompasses sports including football, cheerleading, group dance, rugby, boxing, judo, karate, taekwondo, and wrestling. All sports will have to abide by a number of health and safety protocols, including screenings for athletes, coaches, and staff; limited equipment sharing; and strong requirements for disinfecting and sanitizing equipment. Additionally, sports under the oversight of either the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association or the NCAA must abide by those associations’ rules. All sporting activities are subject to the “Guidance for Sports Activities,” and such activities must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. The order will take effect immediately.

07/18/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing a scam alert regarding cyber criminals exploiting COVID-19 data with scare tactics. With many new cases of Coronavirus being recorded daily, the bad guys know that many people are afraid — and they plan to exploit that fear, warns the Morris County Office of Information Technology.

They are sending "phishing" emails claiming to have official “new” or “updated” data on COVID-19 in your area.

These emails are intense, urgent, and are designed to spark a knee-jerk reaction. They include links to click on marked "Urgent" and "New" COVID-19 data. Don’t fall victim to their scare tactics!

Remember the following to protect yourself:

• Think before you click. The scammers are expecting an impulsive click.
• Never click a link or attachment from an email you weren’t expecting.
• Stay informed by going directly to a trusted news source for information about COVID-19, including municipal-run websites such as this one, the New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub, CDC COVID-19 website, or World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 website.

Stop Look Think – Don’t be fooled!

Get more information on COVID-19 scams from the Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/coronavirus/scams-consumer-advice

07/18/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 166, which establishes the Governor’s Disaster Recovery Office and COVID-19 Compliance and Oversight Task Force. Governor Murphy also announced that Daniel Kelly, current executive director of the Office of Recovery and Rebuilding, will lead the Governor’s Disaster Recovery Office. Acting State Comptroller Kevin Walsh will lead the COVID-19 Compliance and Oversight Task Force.

The Governor’s Disaster Recovery Office (GDRO) will assume the responsibilities of the Governor’s Office of Recovery & Rebuilding, which will no longer exist.  The GDRO shall be responsible for the following activities, among others:

• Coordinating the work of “COVID-19 Accountability Officers,” as described in the Order, to ensure cross-agency collaboration, compliance, and transparency;
• Developing a transparency website within ninety (90) days of the date of this order to track the State’s eligible and planned uses of any funds disbursed by the federal or State government to help New Jersey residents, businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and other entities respond to or recover from the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Coordinating and consulting with all relevant stakeholders regarding the disbursement of COVID-19 Recovery Funds and the administration of COVID-19 Recovery Programs; and
• Publishing an annual report summarizing the State’s use of federal funds in response to COVID-19.

The Governor’s Executive Order also directs the State Comptroller to review all COVID-related procurements above a certain dollar threshold (currently $150,000), ensure internal controls, and provide compliance training to all agencies receiving COVID-19 funds.

The COVID-19 Compliance and Oversight Taskforce will establish an Integrity Oversight Monitoring program to ensure state agencies guard against fraud, waste, and abuse of any COVID-19 funds. Integrity monitors will also be required to submit quarterly reports to the Governor’s Disaster Recovery Office, the Attorney General, the Comptroller, and both the Senate President and Assembly Speaker, and make the reports publicly available online.

The Order further states that the State Comptroller and the GDRO shall report to the Governor from time to time on the progress of the COVID-19 recovery and the compliance process, and, in doing so, shall indicate whether additional staff and assistance is necessary to ensure accountability, transparency, and the timely expenditure of federal resources.

07/17/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed into law the “New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act,” which authorizes the state to borrow up to $9.9 billion to address the unprecedented fiscal crisis that has arisen as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the law, the state has the authority to issue bonds totaling $2.7 billion for the remainder of the extended Fiscal Year 2020, which runs through September 30, 2020, and up to an additional $7.2 billion for the nine-month Fiscal Year 2021 that runs from October 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, for a combined amount of up to $9.9 billion to be issued over the two periods.

The state is authorized to borrow either through the issuance of general obligation bonds that can be sold to investors or through the federal government’s Municipal Liquidity Facility, which was established to help states and local governments across the country deal with the fallout from the global pandemic. The State is also authorized to refinance bonds issued pursuant to the bond act. Debt service on this bond issuance will be repaid through the state’s General Fund. Governor Murphy stressed that the state plans to borrow only what is necessary to speed New Jersey’s recovery from this unparalleled recession.

The law also establishes the Select Commission on Emergency COVID-19 Borrowing, comprised of two members of the Senate selected by the Senate President and two members of the General Assembly selected by the Speaker of the General Assembly, which must approve any proposal to issue bonds prior to their issuance.

07/17/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing his Administration’s plan to address unmet pre-K-to-12 student technological needs in New Jersey schools, commonly referred to as “the digital divide.” Efforts to ensure reliable internet connectivity and access to one-to-one digital devices are critical as we look ahead to the 2020-2021 school year and the reopening of schools, many of which are preparing reopening plans employing a hybrid schedule of both in-person and continued remote learning due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Administration’s approach to closing the digital divide is three-pronged and consists of the following: 

1. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) released today a Request for Information (RFI), seeking information and ideas to bridge the digital divide for New Jersey’s pre-K-to-12 students, including philanthropic support from companies and organizations to help close the digital divide in public schools. The RFI is available here and interested parties will have until July 31, 2020 to respond. District information from the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) will help connect school districts in need with identified philanthropic partners and potential solutions.
2. The DOE will offer a one-time $10 million formula grant using a portion of the State’s federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. This funding will be disbursed to public school districts to purchase digital devices and internet connectivity for one-to-one student use based on need and the availability of philanthropic donations. Districts will be required to submit an application to DOE, which will be released next week, and demonstrate a plan for appropriate use of funds.
3. After philanthropy and ESSER Fund grants have been exhausted, the Administration will redirect Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) funds to close any remaining gap and fill the unmet digital device and internet connectivity needs of New Jersey students. Up to $44 million in CRF funds will be available for this purpose, with an additional $6 million available for nonpublic schools. Because of the ongoing and unparalleled financial strain the COVID-19 pandemic has created across the board in the State, is critical to exhaust philanthropic opportunities and CARES Act funding prior to filling remaining gaps with CRF funds. This will ensure that CRF funds can be efficiently directed to address as many critical needs as possible.

Schools in New Jersey were closed to in-person instruction in March 2020 when Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 104 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. While school closures were necessary to protect public health, the DOE estimates that more than 230,000 students across the state have been impacted by the digital divide. Last month, the DOE released guidance to assist schools in preparing for the upcoming school year and establishing a learning model that includes the possibility of employing both remote and in-person learning, meaning that students will need continued access to the internet and digital devices. After considering other available district funding sources and estimating need based on June 2020 survey data and low-income enrollment data, the DOE estimates that the cost to close the digital divide is approximately $54 million. 

07/17/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that today, July 17, 2020 at 5 p.m. is the deadline to apply for  the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, or CVERAP, which provides temporary rental assistance to low- and moderate-income households that have had a substantial reduction in income or became unemployed due the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants may be eligible for a maximum of up to six months of emergency rental assistance.

For more information on this program, please visit: www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/cverap.html. You must apply online. 

The program is offered through New Jersey Department of Community Affairs through the Housing  and Community Resources program. For more information, please visit: www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/

07/17/20: The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has released Executive Directive 20-025, which permits parents, a family member, legal guardians and support persons of pediatric, developmentally disabled and intellectually disabled residents of long-term care facilities in Morris County and across the state to arrange for by-appointment indoor visits with loved ones. The directive outlines guidance to safeguard the health of vulnerable long-term care facility residents. 

Facilities can only allow visits if there has been no new probable or confirmed coronavirus cases recorded across a 28-day period, which is two incubation periods for COVID-19. Visitors must be screened for symptoms in a designated area that maintains social distancing and infection control standards. If an individual has any COVID-19 symptoms or possible exposure, they will not be permitted to visit. All visitors will be required to wear a face covering, be educated on proper hand hygiene, and practice social distancing with anyone other than their loved one. Facilities must designate a specific area for visitationy. When staff are transporting a resident to a designated visitation area, a safe distance of six feet distance must be maintained between other residents and staff. 

Facilities must obtain informed written consent from residents and visitors. They must acknowledge they are aware of potential dangers of COVID-19 exposure and will comply with the facility’s policies during the visit.  As part of the consent, the visitor must agree to notify the facility if they tested positive for the virus or have symptoms within 14 days of visiting.

Each long-term care facility will set hours, days and durations of visits.  Facilities can begin scheduling indoor visit 48 hours after they have submitted an attestation to the Department that they have implemented the requirements of the Department’s directive.

07/16/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development plans to offer a full suite of online and telephone employment services through its One-Stop Centers beginning on August 10, 2020. Comprehensive support for unemployed customers will be offered online and through a series of call centers, which are expaning their capacity. However, in-person service will not be available at this time due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns for customers and employees.

The enhanced remote services will be available at the One Stop Center located in Randolph, and North Jersey locations in Newton, Somerville and Phillipsburg, as well as sites around the state. Click here to find a location near you.

Remote-access services to be available through the One-Stops include:

• Job search assistance;
• Training and education assistance;
• Career planning;
• Assessment of training needs;
• Occupational skills training and job search support for unemployed adults and dislocated workers;
• Re-Employment Services and Eligibility Assessment, which unemployment claimants find work before they exhaust their benefits;
• Career services for individuals with disabilities, including resume building, accommodating equipment and job placement;
• Online workshops.

Other Key Services:

Morris County Employment and Training Services: https://msw-jobtraining.org/  Residents interested in grant-funded career training also can call 973-285-6880 or 800- 870-3478 or by email msw-ets@co.morris.nj.us.  No in-person visits or appointments at 1 Medical Drive in Morris Plains at this time.

State Jobs Portal: jobs.covid19.nj.gov

Employer Services: nj.gov/labor/business. Includes recruitment assistance, virtual job fairs, apprenticeship programs, on-the-job training, layoff aversion, and incumbent worker training.

Unemployment Assistance: myunemployment.nj.gov.

New State Department of Labor Call Center Numbers:

• North New Jersey: 201-601-4100
• Central New Jersey: 732-761-2020
• South New Jersey: 856-507-2340

07/15/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the first meeting of the Atlantic City Restart and Recovery Working Group. The group, comprised of members of the existing Atlantic City Executive Council and other regional stakeholders, will examine the post-COVID-19 recovery of Atlantic City, including continued efforts for citywide economic diversification, workforce development, and improved public health. Lieutenant Governor Oliver’s Atlantic City Restart and Recovery Working Group will be divided into two main groups. Within each of these groups, subcommittees will focus on specific aspects of their overarching goal.

1: Economic & Workforce Development Group:

• Restart and Recovery: Consists of the gaming & hotel industry, City officials, boardwalk representatives, and other stakeholders. This subcommittee will focus on the restart and recovery of the hardest hit sectors of Atlantic City’s economy, including gaming and tourism.
• Economic Diversification: Consists of economic development professionals, higher education officials/representatives, and other City stakeholders. The focus of this group will be diversifying and developing new sectors of the Atlantic City economy and how the region can provide technical assistance to small minority-owned businesses.
• Workforce Development: Consists of community advocates, workforce development professionals, Building Trades, Atlantic County representatives, and community colleges. This subcommittee will focus on providing job training opportunities to Atlantic City residents in both existing sectors of the economy as well as emerging sectors. 

2. Health & Community Wellness Group:

• Public Health is Economic Health: Consists of healthcare providers and public health officials. In addition to the procurement and implementation of testing, contact tracing, and quarantine/isolation services for Atlantic City residents, this subcommittee will focus on community wellness and how it is linked to economic health.
• Community Outreach: Consists of community and faith stakeholders who will assist with engaging residents of Atlantic City and driving a public messaging campaign on the importance of getting tested, cooperating with contact tracers, and quarantining/isolating if necessary. Additionally, this subcommittee will focus on initiatives for youth; maternal and pre-natal/infant healthcare; addiction recovery; mental health; and working with law enforcement to improve community relations that are built upon mutual respect and trust.

07/15/20:  Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing an updated travel quarantine advisory, and advised individuals traveling to New Jersey from additional states with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state. The updated advisory includes four additional states - Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, and Wisconsin - with Delaware removed from the list. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, July 14, there are currently 22 states total that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Arkansas; Arizona; California; Florida; Georgia; Iowa; Idaho; Kansas; Louisiana; Minnesota; Mississippi; North Carolina; New Mexico; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; and Wisconsin.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

07/14/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 165, which lifts 50 percent capacity limits on NJ TRANSIT and private-carrier buses, trains, light rail vehicles and Access Link vehicles, and now requires that NJ TRANSIT and private-carriers limit vehicles to the maximum seated capacity, effective at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15.

The Governor’s Executive Order continues mitigation efforts that were previously implemented, including requiring workers and customers to wear face coverings while on all buses, trains, light rail vehicles, and Access Link vehicles. This Order extends face covering requirements for workers and customers to the indoor premises of trains, buses, stations, or facilities owned or operated by NJ TRANSIT or private-carriers, as well as the outdoor portion of stations where social distancing is not practicable. The only exceptions for these face covering requirements are when wearing a face covering would inhibit that individual’s health or where the individual is under two years of age.

The Order also explicitly prohibits the consumption of food or beverages and smoking in all trains, buses, and vehicles that are operated by NJ TRANSIT, private carriers, and Employer Provided Transportation Services. The Order also imposes certain mitigation efforts on employers that provide transportation services to workers or employees to get to, return from, or move within or among worksites that are not otherwise available to the general public.

07/14/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 164, which statutory provisions that would have required annual municipal and county party committee meetings to occur this week and will instead require municipal party committee meetings to be held on July 27^th, the first Monday after the election results are certified, and county party committee meetings to be held on July 28^th, the first Tuesday after the election results are certified. The order also postpones all upcoming scheduled elections, including special elections that would occur before November 3^rd, to the November 3^rd General Election.

07/13/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Surrogate’s Office is moving forward with a plan to implement fully remote operations by the fall of this year. Starting in November, the public will have the option to complete an entire probate online without visiting the county government and court complex in Morristown. Historically, the probate process usually has involved making an appointment and traveling to Morristown to complete the probate forms in the Surrogate’s office with the help of a probate clerk. To improve that process, Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling has directed an IT vendor to move ahead with a software modification to allow for remote probate services.

Since Covid-19 related building closures, the Surrogate’s Office has been operating by phone and email. In the event of a fall resurgence of the virus, this new online service will enable the Surrogate’s Office to provide full, efficient, and uninterrupted service to Morris County residents. Surrogates in other counties have expressed an interest in the system being designed in Morris County and may follow the lead by purchasing the program being designed to Darling’s specifications.

07/12/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that Governor Murphy is taking steps to to ease the crunch at state Motor Vehicle Commission offices, which reopened this week with long lines and long waiting times in Morris County and across the state.

The Governor said that MVC expiration dates have been EXTENDED for: 

In addition:

• Temporary tags documents expired between 3/13 – 5/31 have been extended to 9/30;
• Documents expiring 6/1 – 8/31 have been extended to 12/31.

07/10/20: Montville Township issued a press release announcing the controlled reopening of the Municipal Building. Public access will restart on Monday, July 13, 2020 according to the following schedule: 

• Mondays        9am-1230pm
• Tuesdays       1230pm-4pm
• Wednesdays  9am-1230pm
• Thursdays      1230pm-4pm
• Fridays           closed to the public

All members of the public entering the Municipal Building will be required to follow COVID-19 health and safety standards which include social distancing, use of face coverings over the nose and mouth, washing hands frequently, and practicing good respiratory etiquette. Residents are encouraged to continue to conduct as much business as possible online, over the phone, via mail, or through the use of drop boxes in the parking lot and by the Municipal Building front doors. If an in-person visit to the Municipal Building is required, it is strongly recommended to contact the appropriate Department(s) in advance.

07/10/20: Montville Township issued a press release informing the community that while NJ has seen its number of daily new COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations fall significantly since peaking in April, there is still community transmission occurring, and the state’s transmission rate has risen slightly, indicating that on average, each newly infected person is now passing COVID-19 to at least one other person. As a result, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 163 which requires face coverings outdoors in public whenever social distancing can’t be practiced. The Mayor, Township Committee, Township Administration, and Township Departments remind residents that while due to all our efforts, the number of cases in Montville is the lowest it has been since the pandemic started here in March, our community should remain vigilant in doing all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

07/09/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 163, which requires individuals to wear face coverings in outdoor public spaces when it is not practicable to socially distance and keep a six-foot distance from others, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health, where the individual is under two years of age, or in situations where individuals cannot feasibly wear a face covering, such as when eating or drinking at outdoor dining areas.

The Order, which takes effect immediately, also reiterates New Jersey’s policy of requiring face coverings in indoor spaces that are accessible to members of the public, such as retail, recreational, and entertainment businesses, areas of government buildings open to the public, and mass transit buses, trains, and stations, again with exceptions for health reasons and children under two.

The Order notes that situations when wearing a face covering would inhibit an individual’s health include when an individual is engaging in high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activities, when in the water, and in other situations where the presence of a mask would pose a risk to the individual’s safety. 

The Order also notes that for indoor commercial spaces that are not open to members of the public, such as office buildings, those spaces must have policies that at a minimum, require individuals to wear face coverings when in prolonged proximity to others. The Order also notes that child care centers, other child care facilities, and youth summer camps are not governed by this Order, and those settings continue to be governed by Executive Order No. 149 (2020) and applicable standards issued by the Department of Health.

Furthermore, the Order clarifies that for outdoor dining purposes, outdoor areas shall be defined as open air spaces that either 1) have no roof or cover, or 2) have a fixed roof or temporary or seasonal awning or cover, with at least two open sides that would comprise over 50 percent of the total wall space if the space were fully enclosed.

Lastly, the Order clarifies that practices and competitions for sports defined as “Low Risk” by the Department of Health’s “Guidance for Sports Activities” are permitted in both outdoor and indoor settings.  No-contact practices for sports defined as “High or Medium Risk” are permitted to resume in outdoor and indoor settings.  Contact practices and competitions for sports defined as “Medium Risk” are permitted to resume in outdoor settings only.  Contact practices and competitions for sports defined as “High Risk” remain prohibited in both indoor and outdoor settings.  All sporting activities are subject to the “Guidance for Sports Activities”, and such activities must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders.

07/08/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that due to temporary state-mandated employee furloughs, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish & Wildlife is temporarily restricting access to some Wildlife Management Areas in Morris County, Northwest Jersey and throughout the state during July. In Morris County, Split Rock Reservoir and its boat lauch area in Rockaway Township is off limits for the rest of this month.

State government employee furloughs are underway in July as a result of agreements reached between the state and public employee unions to address the economic downtown resulting from the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife manages the state’s Wildlife Management Areas, and is authorized to limit access to these areas in order to protect public health, safety, and the environment during this time period. For a list of all Wildlife Management Areas statewide affected by the temporary access restrictions, visit https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/wmas.htm

07/08/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Office on Aging, Disabilities, and Community Programming is partnering with nonprofit Jersey Cares to provide volunteers to do grocery shopping for older or disabled residents across  all of Morris County. The program will keep persons most vulnerable to COVID-19 out of harms way in supermarkets and other food markets.

Eligible participants must be either over age 60 or be disabled and between ages 18-to-59 and in need of shopping assistance. Consumers can call the ADRC hotline at 973-285-6848 or 1-800-564-4656, and request volunteer shopper assistance. Volunteers have been vetted by Jersey Cares and are ready to serve Morris County residents. Program participants are required to provide contact information, a grocery list, and a maximum budget for each shopping trip. More specific program information will be provided when participants call for the service.

Jersey Cares, a nonprofit organization that was established in 1993, recruits and engages volunteers in projects that address community-identified needs. To volunteer for the new grocery shopping program, and for more information on Jersey Cares, visit https://www.jerseycares.org/

For more information on Morris County government programs for seniors and disabled county residents, visit: https://hs.morriscountynj.gov/adv/

07/07/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that with so many Morris County residents spending a lot more time outdoors this summer due to the COVID-19 crisis, county mosquito experts are urging residents to please remove standing water in and around their property during this current hot spell, when frequent summer showers can create pools of standing water that can breed mosquitoes. In New Jersey, mosquitoes can carry and transmit several diseases, including Chikungunya, Dengue, Zika, and several forms of encephalitis (including West Nile Virus). 

Mosquito professionals are working to control the tiny biting pests in parks and forests for hikers, walkers and bikers. But residents have the power to deal with mosquitoes in their own back yard by eliminating stagnating water — the place that mosquitoes breed.

“If everyone would take steps around their own homes to eliminate standing water, it could reduce the number of mosquitoes by many hundreds of thousands, if not millions, where you live,’’ said Morris County Mosquito Division Superintendent Kristian McMorland.

Residents can take the following steps to protect themselves and their families:

• Empty water from flowerpots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels and cans once or twice a week.
• Clear clogged rain gutters.
• Remove containers or trash that may be difficult to see, such as under bushes, homes or around building exteriors.
• Dispose of unused tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers on your property.
• Drill holes in the bottom and elevate recycling containers left outdoors.
• Repair and clean storm-damaged roof gutters, particularly if leaves from surrounding trees clog drains. Roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Avoid allowing water to stagnate in bird baths.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens become major mosquito producers if they stagnate.
• Use EPA-registered insect repellents when outdoors and wear protective clothing.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools,  including those not in use. An untended swimming pool can result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware that mosquitoes may develop in water that collects on pool covers.
• Stay in air-conditioned places or rooms with window screens that prevent access by mosquitoes.
• If a mosquito problem remains after taking the above steps, contact Morris County Mosquito Control. There are larval habitats that only a mosquito control program can properly address. 

For more information on Morris County’s Mosquito Control operations, or mosquito control products and practices, visit https://morriscountynj.gov/mosquito/info/.

07/07/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing an updated travel quarantine advisory for individuals traveling to New Jersey from additional states with significant community spread of COVID-19 to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, July 7, there are currently 19 states total that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Arkansas; Arizona; California; Delaware, Florida; Georgia; Iowa; Idaho; Kansas; Louisiana; Oklahoma, Mississippi; North Carolina; Nevada; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; and Utah.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. Travelers and residents returning from impacted states typically will not need to check-in with public health officials, unless otherwise they are involved in contract tracing efforts or required to do so by their employer or any other federal, state or local law or order. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine.

07/03/20: The FDA has issued a update warning consumers and health care providers that the agency has seen a sharp increase in hand sanitizer products that are labeled to contain ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol) but that have tested positive for methanol contamination. Methanol, or wood alcohol, is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening when ingested. Methanol is not an acceptable active ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be used due to its toxic effects. FDA’s investigation of methanol in certain hand sanitizers is ongoing. The agency will provide additional information as it becomes available.

The agency is aware of adults and children ingesting hand sanitizer products contaminated with methanol that has led to recent adverse events including blindness, hospitalizations and death. Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol and are experiencing symptoms should seek immediate treatment for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning. Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death. Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk for methanol poisoning, young children who accidently ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk.

07/03/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed legislation (A4132) which would modify the State’s shared work program and change eligibility for the State’s unemployment insurance program. Earlier this week the bill was returned to the Legislature with recommended changes necessary to facilitate furloughs in lieu of layoffs. The Legislature today concurred with the Governor’s conditional veto.

The recommendations outlined in the conditional veto include eliminating changes to UI law included in the bill, which would shift the cost of covering workers from the federal government to the State. Under the CARES Act, individuals who are not eligible for State unemployment benefits can receive up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits until December 31, 2020, ensuring that they are covered. 

The conditional veto also makes other revisions necessary to facilitate the furlough in lieu of layoffs of public employees.  These revisions will ensure that pension, health benefits, and civil service rights are maintained during the period of any furlough taken during the State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The revisions also allow schools that are providing virtual instruction to participate in furlough programs. The Murphy Administration has already pursued furlough agreements including last week’s agreement with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). 

07/02/20: Governer Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 162, which extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended on April 7, May 6, and June 4. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed. Executive Order No. 162 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.

07/02/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 161, which increases outdoor gathering capacity limit as COVID-19 cases in New Jersey continue to decline. Effective at 6 a.m. on Friday, July 3^rd, outdoor gatherings are limited to 500 persons, and outdoor religious services and political activities will continue to have no numerical limits. All indoor gatherings continue to be limited to 25% capacity of the rooms in which they will take place, with a maximum of 100 persons. Before today’s Order, outdoor gatherings were limited to 250 persons, with the exception of outdoor religious services and political activities.

07/02/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 160, which rescinds Executive Order 114 (which ordered national and state flags to fly at half-staff), and which orders that the U.S. and New Jersey flags be returned to full staff on Friday, July 3, having been at half-staff since Friday, April 3, in recognition and mourning of all those who have lost their lives and been affected by COVID-19. The flags will return to full staff as a symbol of New Jersey’s recovery and continued resolve. 

07/02/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced that it would begin providing 20 weeks of extended unemployment this week to New Jersey workers who have exhausted their state and federal jobless benefits.

The state extension kicks in after claimants exhaust up to 26 weeks of state unemployment plus 13 weeks of federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation. The additional 20 weeks of benefits brings to 59 the maximum number of weeks an eligible claimant may receive in benefits at this time. Claimants will be automatically enrolled into extended benefits as their federal extension ends. They do not need to contact an agent or reapply.

Independent contractors, self-employed workers, and others receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance will see their benefits end in December, after a maximum of 46 weeks, which includes extended benefits. Additionally, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, which brought an additional $600 weekly payment to everyone collecting unemployment, runs through July 25.

For more information on unemployment issues, visit the state DOL website.

07/01/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 159, which temporarily extends certain statutory deadlines across state government that require review and action by agencies before a specified deadline. The statutory deadlines, in addition to certain effective dates that are being delayed, ensure that state agencies have the ability to address immediate needs that prioritize public health and safety, and ensure that non-emergency agency decisions are made with the proper amount of input and deliberation. The deadlines are included in the accompanying Appendix to Executive Order 159.  

06/30/20: Morris County issued a press release with Frequently Asked Questions for those who live and work in Morris County regarding Governor Murphy’s announcement that persons traveling to New Jersey, whether visiting the state or returning home, from eight states with high COVID-19 rates must self quarantine for 14 days when they enter New Jersey.

06/30/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing an updated quarantine advisory for individuals travelling to New Jersey from 16 states. He today advised individuals traveling to New Jersey from eight additional states with significant community spread of COVID-19 to self-quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state. The travel advisory applies to any person arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of Tuesday, June 30, there are currently 16 states total that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Arkansas; Arizona; California; Florida; Georgia; Iowa; Idaho; Louisiana; Mississippi; North Carolina; Nevada; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; and Utah.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items. 

Travelers and residents returning from impacted states typically will not need to check-in with public health officials, unless otherwise they are involved in contract tracing efforts or required to do so by their employer or any other federal, state or local law or order. It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine.

The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.

06/30/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he has signed a three-month spending plan into law on Tuesday that includes a series of deep cuts and spending deferrals to help the state meet its most basic obligations through the extended fiscal year (FY 2020), which ends September 30. New Jersey extended its fiscal year beyond the traditional closing date of June 30 in light of the extreme uncertainty caused by the global pandemic and the subsequent decision to extend state and federal tax filing deadlines to July 15 to help taxpayers weather the COVID-19 crisis.

The $7.632 billion spending plan signed by the Governor is relatively unchanged from the proposal the Administration put forth in its May 22 budget update to the Legislature. It authorizes the deappropriation of nearly $1.2 billion in funds enacted in the FY 2020 Appropriations Act, does not include nearly $850 million in new spending proposed in the Governor’s February budget message, defers a number of significant payments (described below), and does not include any new revenue raisers. 

The supplemental appropriations bill includes a 5 percent across-the-board reduction in funding for non-salary operating costs and a 10 percent reduction in discretionary grants. It also includes savings from delaying cost-of-living adjustments as part of the agreement negotiated in good faith with the Communications Workers of America. 

The three-month spending plan provides sufficient funds to support the projected need for social services programs through the end of September and 25 percent of the annual need for operating costs that were not otherwise reduced. State Aid, grants, and other mandatory payments are generally recommended to be appropriated during the three-month extended fiscal year based on the normal timing of disbursements or as projected to cover actual services rendered. 

More specifically, the supplemental appropriations bill includes the following key provisions across various state departments:

1. Community Affairs: Delays September payments for Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid (CMPTRA) and Energy Tax Receipts (ETR) until October. 
2. Education: Continues to implement the school funding formula designed in partnership with the Legislature without any additional funding over FY 2020; delays the September 22nd school aid payment into October; and defers the September school choice payments.
3. Health: Provides the same overall funding for hospitals as the first quarter of FY 2020 (Charity Care, Graduate Medical Education); however the distribution may vary because funding will be allocated based on FY 2021 data.
4. Labor and Workforce Development: Includes $3.875 million to modernize unemployment processing.
5. Higher Education: Maintains tuition assistance programs for post-secondary students—including Tuition Aid Grants, the Educational Opportunity Fund, and Community College Opportunity Grants—at their FY 2020 funding levels. Also includes $52 million in operating aid for senior public higher education institutions and almost $14 million in operating aid for community colleges.
6. Transportation: Does not include any state subsidy for NJ TRANSIT due to $1.4 billion in federal CARES Act funding being provided to the agency.  
7. Treasury: Does not include Senior Freeze or Homestead Benefit payments and delays the September pension payment into October.

The three-month spending plan is supported by $8.625 billion in total resources, and ends with a surplus of $956 million through September 30. The revised surplus – which includes the transfer of the entire $421 million Surplus Revenue Fund (also known as the Rainy Day Fund) to the General Fund – is up $462 million from the May 22 budget update.

The improved revenue forecast is primarily due to Sales and Use Tax revenue exceeding expectations as a result of the incremental re-opening of New Jersey’s economy. However, the state must still contend with a historic decline in overall projected revenue and the uncertainty over whether taxpayers will request extensions beyond the already extended July 15 deadline for personal income tax filings or claim refunds for overpayment of Corporation Business Tax obligations. 

The Administration and the Legislature must now work on crafting a nine-month budget for Fiscal Year 2021, which will run from October 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 under the legislation that previously authorized the extension of the current fiscal year.

06/30/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 158, which temporarily pauses the resumption of indoor dining, which had been scheduled to resume later this week.  The Order also prohibits the consumption of food or beverages and smoking in the indoor premises of any retail, recreational, or entertainment business, including casinos, where masks are strictly required.  The Order notes that there is an exception for health and safety, such as an individual briefly removing their mask to drink water.

“Unfortunately, the spike in cases in numerous other states, compounded by instances of non-compliance in New Jersey, require us to hit pause on the restart of indoor dining indefinitely,” said Governor Murphy. “I recognize that there are many establishments whose owners, managers, and customers have been responsible, but we cannot move forward unless there is complete compliance. Throughout every step of our restart, we have been clear that we would not hesitate to hit pause to safeguard public health, and this is one of those times.”

In light of today’s Order, the NJ Department of Health today issued their Executive Directive 20-019 (Revised) for food and beverage establishments, which will continue to be restricted to in-person service at outdoor areas only.

06/29/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) today issued Executive Directive 20-020, which exempting doulas from the limit on the number of support persons allowed to be present throughout a woman’s hospital stay during the COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID-19 hospitalizations decrease statewide, there is now sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and testing capacity to allow doulas to resume their duties during labor and delivery as a member of a pregnant woman’s health care team.

Doulas support healthy pregnancies by providing culturally appropriate, social and emotional support to pregnant women throughout the prenatal period, labor and delivery, as well as the postpartum period. Research demonstrates that support from a doula is associated with lower caesarian section rates, fewer obstetric interventions, fewer complications, and the improved health of mothers and babies after delivery.

Under the directive, hospitals are required to allow at least one designated support person to be with the expectant mother during her hospital stay – the patient’s spouse, partner, sibling or another person she chooses. Doulas will no longer be counted toward this limit and can accompany the designated support person for the mother’s hospital stay. Hospitals may allow additional support individuals if the hospital has determined that sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available.

06/27/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 157, which implements the re-openings announced earlier this week that will take effect on Thursday, July 2. Specifically, the Order contains several requirements for indoor dining, which can resume on at 6:00 am. on July 2, but will be limited to 25 percent capacity, and patrons will be required to order and consume food or beverages while seated. The Order also contains the baseline requirements for indoor recreational and entertainment businesses, which can open on at 6:00 a.m. on July 2 at 25 percent capacity, with the exceptions of gyms and fitness centers, movie theaters, performing arts centers, other concert venues, and indoor amusement and water parks, which must still remain closed at this time. Further, dance floors at any business must be closed or cordoned off.  Gyms and fitness centers can, however, offer individualized indoor instruction by appointment only. 

The requirements for retail businesses are restated in this Order for clarity, but these requirements are unchanged, other than a clarification that the 50 percent capacity limitation will not include the retail establishment’s employees.  The Order comprehensively states the COVID-19-related requirements that apply to businesses in the retail, dining, and recreation sectors.

The indoor dining requirements include:

1. Limit the number of patrons in indoor areas to 25 percent of the food or beverage establishment’s indoor capacity, excluding the food or beverage establishment’s employees;
2. Ensure that tables where individuals or groups are seated are six feet apart in all directions from any other table or seat and that individual seats in any shared area that is not reserved for individual groups, such as an indoor bar area, are also six feet apart in all directions from any other table or seat;
3. Require patrons to wear face coverings while inside the indoor premises of the food or beverage establishment, except when seated at their table or in their individual seat.  This requirement does not apply if the patron has a medical reason for not wearing a face covering or is a child under two years of age;
4. Food or beverage establishments with table service may only allow patrons to place orders when seated, and only wait staff may bring food or beverages to seated patrons;
5. Patrons may only consume food or beverages while seated (meaning they cannot walk around with their beverages, for example); and
6. Abide by all other health and safety standards issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Health, including infection control practices and other sanitization protocols, consistent with her authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act.

The NJ Department of Health issued Executive Directive 20-019 today that incorporates the above requirements and contains comprehensive health and safety standards and protocols for food or beverage establishments, including both their outdoor and indoor areas.

The Executive Order describes the requirements for recreational and entertainment businesses that can open, which include libraries, museums, aquariums, and public and private social clubs.  These businesses must limit the capacity of their indoor premises to 25 percent, and are held to many of the same requirements that are imposed on retail businesses (a full list of the requirements is in the Order).  However, gyms and fitness centers, movie theaters, performing arts centers, other concert venues, and indoor amusement and water parks, must keep their indoor spaces closed, and dance floors at any business must be closed or cordoned off.

Gyms and fitness centers are, however, permitted to offer individualized indoor instruction by appointment only where an instructor is offering training to an individual, and the individual’s immediate family members, household members, caretakers, or romantic partners.  If a gym or fitness center is offering multiple simultaneous instructions at the same facility, these instructions must take place in separate rooms or, if they take place in the same room, must be separated by a floor-to-ceiling barrier that complies with all fire code requirements.

Playgrounds are also permitted to open on July 2.  

Personal care services that would require the removal of a face covering, such as facials, can resume on July 2 as well, subject to otherwise applicable requirements issued by the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs and the NJ Department of Health.

In the coming days, the NJ Department of Health will issue standards and protocols for both indoor pools and outdoor amusement and water parks.  

The NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement will issue standards and protocols for casinos, which will be open on July 2, but will be subject to additional requirements.

06/27/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed into law (S2437) which places limits on service fees charged to restaurants by third-party delivery applications and websites during state of emergencies declared by the Governor in response to COVID-19.  The legislation provides much needed relief to restaurants across New Jersey that have faced excessive fees while being limited to takeout and delivery service. 

The legislation prohibits third-party food takeout and delivery service applications and websites from charging service fees greater than 20 percent of the cost of the individual order or greater than 10 percent of the cost of the individual order, when the order is delivered by an employee of the restaurant or an independent contractor with whom the restaurant has contracted directly. The limits are in effect during a state of emergency and until the first day of the third month following any state of emergency declared by the Governor in response to COVID-19 that restricts restaurant dine-in service to less than 25% of the maximum capacity allowed by law.

06/27/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he signed the following bill into law:

• S-2383/A-4142 - Requires Commissioner of Education to establish three-year "Bridge Year Pilot Program" for certain students who were impacted by public health state of emergency caused by coronavirus disease 2019.
  

06/26/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the NJ Department of Education (NJDOE) today announced the release of “The Road Back: Restart and Recovery Plan for Education” to assist schools with reopening in the fall. The guidance announces that, absent a change in public health data, public schools will open for in-person instruction and operations in some capacity at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year.

The guidance envisions schools operating within necessary standards to protect the health and safety of students and staff. The guidance includes minimum standards such as following certain social distancing practices in classrooms and face covering measures for students and staff. The guidance also provides recommendations to assist districts in achieving these standards, such as implementing hybrid learning environments in which students receive both in-person and remote instruction. 

Each district will be expected to develop, in collaboration with community stakeholders, a plan to reopen schools in the fall that best fits the district’s local needs. The guidance provides anticipated minimum standards regarding health and safety that districts should use as they plan for reopening. The guidance also provides additional considerations that may help districts as they develop their plans. 

Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 104 ordered all New Jersey schools to close starting March 18, 2020, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. After the Department worked with school districts to ensure stability through remote instruction, food security for children where needed, and equity in education for students, the focus immediately turned toward planning for reopening.

The guidance relies upon the most up-to-date data and recommendations from the New Jersey Department of Health and was informed by input from school communities. The Department has been engaged in regular contact with educators and stakeholders, and has conducted daily site visits, weekly stakeholder meetings and discussions with a standing committee of nearly two dozen superintendents. Beyond this ongoing engagement, the NJDOE convened approximately 50 education and community organizations, met with over 300 superintendents, and surveyed nearly 300,000 parents/guardians to inform the development of the reopening plan. 

The guidance focuses on four key functional areas: conditions for learning, leadership and planning, policy and funding, and continuity of learning.

The guidance sets the minimum standards for returning to school and serves as a toolkit for schools to use as they develop their recovery plans – recognizing that flexibility is needed as each school will have unique needs and circumstances, and some efforts will need to be guided by local health officials.
 The guidance describes several health and safety standards to be prioritized in school reopening:  

1. Social distancing: Schools and districts must allow for social distancing within the classroom. This can be achieved by ensuring students are seated at least six feet apart. If schools are not able to maintain this physical distance, additional modifications should be considered. These include physical barriers between desks and turning desks to face the same direction (rather than facing each other)or having students sit on only one side of a table and spaced apart.
2. Face coverings: School staff and visitors are required to wear face coverings unless doing so would inhibit the individual’s health or the individual is under two years of age. Students are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and are required to do so when social distancing cannot be maintained, unless doing so would inhibit the student’s health. It is necessary to acknowledge that enforcing the use of face coverings may be impractical for young children or certain individuals with disabilities.
3. Limited capacity: It is recommended that students and staff be seated at least six feet apart in class when practicable. When weather allows, windows should be opened to allow for greater air circulation.
4. Cleaning/disinfecting: Procedures must be implemented by each school district for the sanitization of school buildings and school buses. Increased hand-washing measures are also important for students and staff.

These provisions are informed by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, which call for protecting staff and students who are at higher risk for severe illness, such as providing options for telework and virtual learning; providing reasonable accommodations for older adults (65 years and older) and individuals with serious underlying medical conditions; and, when possible, keeping early childhood students apart during naptime and avoiding close-group activities like reading circles.

Other provisions in the guidance include: 

1. Cafeteria directors should consider staggering meal times to allow for social distancing; discontinuing self-serve or buffet lines; having students eat meals outside or in their classrooms; and requiring staff to disinfect eating areas between groups.
2. Recess should also be held in staggered shifts, with efforts to promote social distancing and hygiene protocols.
3. Cohorting: Schools may wish to identify small groups of students and keep them together (cohorting) to ensure that student and staff groupings are as static as possible, thereby limiting exposure to large groups of students.
4. School bus operators should encourage social distancing. CDC guidelines recommend seating on a school bus such that there is one student seated per row, skipping a row between each child, if possible. Barriers separating rows of bus seats may also be considered. If social distancing is not feasible, face coverings must be worn by students who are able to do so. Increased ventilation (i.e. opening windows) is also recommended in the guidelines. 

Because reopening is dependent upon health data and informed by experts in the health field, districts will need to be prepared to pivot to remote instruction at any time during the 2020-2021 school year. The guidance stresses that each school district should be working to ensure every student has a device and internet connectivity available, and it identifies funding streams available to school districts to ensure students have access to technology.

Districts should strive to share preliminary scheduling plans with staff, families, and students at least four weeks before the start of the school year in order to allow families to plan child care and work arrangements.

Click here for a summary of the guidance.

Click here for the full guidance. 

06/26/20: NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) issued a announcement that road tests will be re-starting on June 29th, and Motor Vehicle Agencies (some designated as Licensing Centers and some designated as Vehicle Centers) that were supposed to also reopen on June 29 will now be reopening on July 7th. More information can be found in MVC’s Frequently Asked Questions document.

06/25/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing the many changes in COVID rules as Phase 2 reopenings begin. Gov. Phil Murphy’s multi-stage approach to a “responsible and strategic economic restart”  to put New Jersey on the road to recovery from COVID-19 has entered Phase Two, with many relaxations of original COVID restrictions now in effect or set to start in the coming days and weeks. The Governor has stressed that the state will continue to relax COVID-19 rules based on data that demonstrates improvements in public health and the ability to safeguard residents.

The following is a guide to key Stage Two dates, with links to specific information, to help ease any confusion.

In Stage Two, moderate-risk activities are restarting. As part of this effort, residents are being asked to face coverings and practice social distancing.

• June 15: Child care centers reopen their doors to all clients.
• June 15: Outdoor dining reopens.
• June 15: Non-essential retail stores reopen for indoor shopping.
• June 15: Motor Vehicle Commission agencies reopen for pick-up and drop-off services.
• June 15: Libraries reopen for curbside pickup.
• June 22: Organized sports activities resume.
• June 22: Personal care businesses, including barber shops, hair salons, and nail salons reopen.
• June 22: Public swimming pools reopen.
• June 22: Limit on outdoor gatherings increases to 250 people.
• June 29: Motor Vehicle Commission agencies begin to offer behind-the-wheel road tests and resume issuing new licenses and permits.
• June 29: Indoor portions of retail shopping malls reopen. However, indoor entertainment businesses, like movie theaters or arcades, will remain closed.
• July 2: Casinos reopen.
• July 2: Indoor dining reopens.
• July 2: Libraries reopening at 25 percent capacity
• July 2: Museums reopen at 25 percent capacity
• July 2: Aquariums reopen at 25 percent capacity
• July 2: Indoor recreation reopens at 25 percent capacity (batting cages, bowling alleys, shooting ranges and others)
• July 2: Gyms/fitness centers: individual one-on-one training, by appointment only
• July 2: Outdoor playgrounds, outdoor amusement parks, and outdoor water parks reopen.
• July 3: Limit on outdoor gatherings increases to 500 people (anticipated).
• July 6: Youth day camps and summer programs can operate.
• July 6: Modified outdoor graduation ceremonies begin.
• July 6: Resumption of Moderate Risk Sports
  

06/24/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing a joint tri-state (NJ, NY, CT) incoming travel advisory that all individuals traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID-19 quarantine themselves for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state.

This self-quarantine – effective midnight tonight – applies to any person arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents, or a state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.  

New Jersey, New York and Connecticut will continually update and publish on their respective websites a list of states to which the new advisory applies. This information will be updated regularly. The tri-state measure will use uniform parameters and messaging on highways, airports, websites and social media across the three states. The three states will also ask hotels to communicate the 14-day quarantine to guests who have traveled from one of the impacted states.

06/23/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 156, which increases indoor and outdoor gathering capacity limits as COVID-19 cases in New Jersey continue to decline. Effective immediately, indoor gatherings are now limited to 25% capacity of the rooms in which they will take place, with a maximum of 100 persons. Outdoor gatherings are now limited to 250 persons, and outdoor religious services and political activities will continue to have no numerical limits. 

Before today’s Executive Order, indoor gatherings were limited to 25% capacity, but with a maximum of 50 persons, and outdoor gatherings were limited to 100 persons, with the exception of outdoor religious services and political activities.

Furthermore, today’s Order clarifies that for the purposes of outdoor dining, “outdoor areas” are to be defined as open air spaces without a fixed roof, besides a temporary or seasonal awning or cover.

06/22/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that beginning Wednesday, June 24, 2020, Morristown National Historical Park will reopen access to Fort Nonsense Area, expand parking to 100% capacity, open the entire Tour Road at Jockey Hollow to vehicles and begin summer hours, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily. Picnicking and large group activities remain restricted. Permanent restroom facilities in Jockey Hollow will be closed; however, portable restroom units will be available for public use.

The National Park Service  is working service wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased recreational access at the park is occurring using a phased approach on a park-by-park basis following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, including the latest public safety recreation regulations in the state of New Jersey.’

On June 24th, the following will open for recreation in accordance with state guidance from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily:

• All five Jockey Hollow Area parking lots (Visitor Center, Wick House, Soldier Huts, New York Brigade and Trail Center)
• New Jersey Brigade/Cross Estate Area parking lot will be increased to 100% parking capacity.
• Jockey Hollow Tour Road
• Soldier Huts
• All 27 miles of hiking trails
• Equestrian trail use (5 trailer spaces at the visitor center parking lot only)

Appropriate recreation includes such activities as:

• walking
• hiking
• running
• bicycling

Prohibited activities include:

• large group gatherings and activities
• picnicking

Parking will be restricted to the park’s surface parking lots only.

Additionally, the following areas will remain closed in this phase:

• Western Avenue Park Access Gate (at Jockey Hollow Road) will be closed to vehicular access (Tempe Wick Road Main entravoidnce is the only vehicle entrance into Jockey Hollow)
• Jockey Hollow Visitor Center
• New York Brigade Comfort Station
• Wick House and herb garden
• Washington’s Headquarters Area: Ford Mansion and Washington’s HQ Museum (grounds and parking lots are open for passive recreation)

Visitors are asked to follow social distancing practices at all times. Many of the park’s hiking trails are narrow, so strongly healthy hiking etiquette encourages  yielding to other hikers in wider trail spots and turning your face away as you pass. Additionally, park vehicles in designated parking spaces, practice Leave No Trace principles (carry in-carry out trash) and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

06/22/20: NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) issued a press release announcing that camping will  begin in 12 state parks, forests and recreation areas on June 22. The  re-opening will be consistent with Governor Murphy’s COVID-19 public health  protection goals that stress social distancing and wearing of masks. Under Executive Order 148, NJDEP will implement a plan for reopening of camping at 14 state-run areas.

Twelve of those areas will be opened on  Monday, June 22. They are High Point State Park, Jenny Jump State Forest, Stokes State Forest and Worthington State Forest in the northern region; Allaire State Park, Cheesequake State Park and Spruce Run Recreation Area in  the central region; and Bass River State Forest, Belleplain State Forest, Brendan Byrne State Forest, Parvin State Park, and Wharton State Forest in the southern region. Camping will reopen on Monday, June 29 at  Swartswood State Park and Stephens State Forest in the northern part of the  state.

NJDEP has taken into account the physical  layouts of each park in determining the percentage of campsites to reopen.  At most areas, at least 50 percent of sites  will be open. All sites will be open at High Point and Jenny Jump. Camping remains closed at the Round Valley  Recreation Area, Washington Crossing State Park, Kittatinny Valley State Park,  Waywayanda State Park and Voorhees State Park. 

To account for social distancing  requirements and staffing necessary to clean and maintain indoor facilities, camping will be limited to tent-style camping while all other forms of  overnight use including cabins, shelters, group cabins, wilderness campsites, primitive campsites, and group campsites will remain closed. Rigorous cleaning protocols for restrooms, shower facilities and other facilities and common areas will be implemented, following guidelines set by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New Jersey Department of Health. In addition, barriers are being installed to limit  contact between staff and visitors. Campground guests will be encouraged by  signage to wear a mask when in public and in indoor spaces such as gatehouses  and restrooms. They must maintain a six-foot distance from other individuals  that are not immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or  partners.        

Visitors are encouraged to make  reservations, cancellations and payments via electronic or telephone  reservation systems to limit physical interactions by visiting www.njportal.com/DEP/NJOutdoors. The option to pay by cash remains  available.

06/20/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the county will close its COVID-19 drive-thru testing center at County College of Morris at the end of next week, with the last scheduled day of free testing set for Friday, June 26.

The center, which was operated in coordination with Atlantic Health Systems, is closing because many other test providers are now available, including numerous urgent care facilities and pharmacies across the county offering nasal swab and saliva tests. In the nearly three months of operation, the CCM site provided nasal swab tests to more 7,000 people. When testing started, there was a 43 percent positive rate among residents with symptoms and prescriptions who were tested at the county center. Those positive numbers have now dropped dramatically, with positive results for the past few weeks at less than 1 percent of those tested.

Residents now can get tested at a variety of sites in Morris County that are providing the Swab Test (SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR), which is the “gold standard” test to determine if you have COVID-19.  There also are other locations in the county now offering the swab and/or saliva test. The NJDOH/State COVID-19 site has a test site locator and provides a tool for self-assessment, instructions, and information on the types of tests, including issues with serology, or antibody tests.

Residents are strongly encouraged to first speak with their primary healthcare provider prior to being tested.

You can still make an appointment for the remaining days of its operation: Visit the Morris County Office of Health Management’s COVID-19 information site for more information on the county testing center and to make an appointment.

06/20/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing Table of Hope, a mobile food distribution event at County College of Morris on Tuesday, June 23, to assist residents during this time of crisis. The food distribution, consisting of canned goods, meat, dairy, vegetables and other groceries, for people in need will take place in Parking Lot 1 on the CCM campus starting at 10 a.m. and running until 12 noon. Welcoming remarks from the First Lady and others will take place at 9:45 a.m. All are welcomed to attend. 

The distribution will operate as a contactless drive-through event with cars stopping at different food stations categorized by food type where volunteers will place bags or boxes into automobile trunks. Those who would like to pick up food that day are asked to use the college’s Dover Chester Road entrance. Face coverings are required for everyone who come to campus.

06/20/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the New Jersey Department of Health’s (NJDOH’s) Executive Directive 20-017, which allows residents of long-term care facilities will be able to have outdoor visits with loved ones in designated outdoor space starting Sunday, June 21—Father’s Day. NJDOH has received input and worked collaboratively with long-term care providers on developing this directive to accommodate visitors. The directive applies to: dementia care homes, long-term care facilities, pediatric transitional care homes, assisted living residences and programs, and comprehensive personal care homes.

Prior to transporting a long-term care resident to a designated outdoor space, visitors must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms ­­– including a temperature check – and facilities must follow safety and infection prevention and control measures in order to allow visitation.

Only two visitors will be permitted at a time and must stay six feet apart from the resident. Visitors and residents are required to wear face coverings, and a staff member—wearing a surgical mask—must remain with the resident during the visit. A resident who is suspected or confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 or quarantined for an exposure cannot have visitors. A resident who has tested positive can have visitors after they have met the criteria to discontinue isolation.

Facilities must submit an attestation at least 24 hours before they begin outdoor visitation confirming that they have implemented the directive’s requirements, and have a location designated for visitation, sufficient staff and personal protective equipment, and a method to schedule appointments. Facilities can start scheduling appointments today, but visitation cannot begin until Sunday.

Facilities are required to communicate the visitor policy to residents, families, staff and others, and must receive informed consent in writing from the resident and visitor that they will comply with the facility’s policies during the visit. As part of the consent form, visitor must agree to notify the facility if they test positive for COVID or have symptoms within 14 days of visiting.

06/19/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Administrative Order 2020-16, which permits indoor portions of retail shopping malls to reopen to members of the public, effective at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 29.

Retail businesses located in the interior of shopping malls are permitted to reopen to the public, as long as they comply with the requirements contained in Executive Order 122.  Restaurants within the interior of a retail shopping mall are restricted to offering takeout and delivery services, except that they may also provide in-person service at outdoor areas outside the shopping mall pursuant to Executive Order 150. 

Retail kiosks located within malls may operate subject to the applicable requirements contained in Executive Order 122, and must ensure that customers remain six feet apart at all times. All areas with communal seating shall be removed or cordoned off.  Isolated seats or benches available for individual use may be accessible, in order to provide customers with a place to rest. Indoor shopping mall operators should evaluate floor plans and establish policies to minimize congestion points and maintain social distancing, such as a customer flow plan with floor markings or separate entrance and exit points.

With respect to the mall’s own employees, mall operators must require infection control practices, provide employees break time for handwashing, and provide sanitization materials, among other requirements.  The order also states that employees and customers must wear face coverings while on the premises, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health or where the individual is under two years of age.  If a customer refuses to wear a cloth face covering for non-medical reasons and if such covering cannot be provided to the individual by the mall at the point of entry, then the mall must decline entry to the individual.

The following services or areas shall be closed at all indoor shopping malls:

1. Valet parking;
2. Vending machines;
3. Stroller rentals; and
4. Any type of communal play area.

Businesses located within the indoor portions of retail shopping malls that remain closed to the public by any Executive Order, such as entertainment and recreational businesses including gyms, fitness centers, movie theaters, amusement parks, water parks, and arcades, shall remain closed.

06/19/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) today issued standards for institutions of higher education as they begin restarting campus operations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The standards align with the stages of New Jersey’s “The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health” plan and provide a framework of critical standards, additional steps institutions should consider when formulating plans, and examples of safeguarding practices in 10 key on-campus functional areas: instruction, residential housing, computer laboratories, libraries, research, student services, transportation, dining, international travel, and athletics.

As of July 1, in-person clinical rotations and labs will be able to resume at institutions of higher education, subject to submission of a restart plan to OSHE. As detailed in Executive Order 155, institutions must submit a restart plan to OSHE no later than 14 days of the expected implementation date of their plans. Each institutional plan must follow a phased approach in accordance with OSHE standards issued today and any future supplemental documents.

Members of the Higher Education Restart Advisory Group, which includes representatives of all higher education sectors, faculty, staff, and students, offered input that shaped these standards. Best practices to ensure key aspects of a successful restart of higher education activities were considered.

Throughout each stage, institutions must continue observing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) standards for social distancing (6 feet), sanitizing equipment and materials, handwashing, cleaning and disinfection, and accommodating individuals with symptoms or a positive diagnosis of COVID-19. In all stages, institutions with residential housing facilities must have a designated space for individuals who reside on campus and are quarantining or isolating with symptoms or a positive diagnosis of COVID-19.

Institutions are instructed to require face coverings for faculty, staff, students, and visitors, except where doing so would inhibit the individual’s health. Institutions must adhere to mandatory statewide restrictions in place throughout each stage, including all applicable Executive Orders, until a “new normal” is reached – when a vaccine or effective treatment is broadly available – but can adapt recommendations to best fit their communities’ needs and context. Institutions must remain flexible to modify operations as public health conditions change and the state shifts from one stage to the next.

Below, please find details of the protocols and procedures to be implemented at each stage of Governor Phil Murphy’s “The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health” plan.

STAGE 1:

• All in-person instruction, including labs, clinical rotations and all other curricular activity is prohibited, unless a waiver supported by a compelling rationale is obtained from the Secretary of Higher Education.
• No students are allowed to reside in on-campus residential facilities, except for those enrolled in courses/programs with an in-person approved waiver or in narrowly-defined extenuating circumstances who are already present on campus.
• Computer laboratories and libraries remain closed. Institutions should explore potential alternatives, such as providing each student with a laptop and internet access. Returned items should be sanitized wherever possible.
• In-person dining facilities are closed. Takeout, “grab-and-go,” and/or delivery may be available to those who must continue to reside on campus. 

STAGE 2: (effective beginning July 1, 2020.)

• Most in-person instruction remains limited to instances where a waiver is obtained from the Secretary. However, in-person instruction of curricula that require labs, technical, clinical, or hands-on instruction and therefore cannot be readily taught other than through in-person instruction can resume with adherence to strict health and safety protocols.
• A limited number of students (based on capacity restrictions) can return to on-campus residential facilities. Full occupancy of buildings is not acceptable for restart plans. Institutions must reduce density of residential living spaces to the extent practicable. Institutions should be mindful of students for whom residential housing is necessary for an equitable education. Common areas are closed, and outside visitors to residence halls must be limited to those present for delivery, maintenance or an emergency.
• Computer laboratories remain closed. Curbside pickup or delivery of remotely-requested printed materials is available. This should be done by appointment.
• Libraries may open in a limited fashion in accordance with the applicable state health and safety requirements.
• Dining: Takeout or “grab and go” options should remain available. Outdoor dining only is allowed pursuant to statewide occupancy, health, and safety requirements.

 STAGE 3: 

•  Most in-person classroom instruction, labs, and other curricular activity are permitted in accordance with state-established occupancy restrictions and health and safety restrictions.
• Institutions may continue to operate on-campus residential facilities at reduced capacity. Full occupancy of buildings is not acceptable for restart plans. Institutions must reduce density of residential living spaces to the extent practicable. Students with greatest need are prioritized for housing, given the reduced capacity. Common areas may open if the layout allows for social distancing and adherence to any state occupancy guidelines at that time.
• Computer laboratories and libraries may open in a limited fashion in accordance with applicable state occupancy, health, and safety restrictions. Curbside pickup or delivery remains available.
• In-person indoor dining facilities may open with a limited occupancy based on state guidelines in place at the time. Institutions must adhere to all CDC and DOH protocols. Takeout or “grab and go” options should remain available. Outside dining may continue pursuant to strict health and safety guidelines.

Two key public health drivers of success throughout all restart stages will be robust testing and contact tracing. Institutions will be responsible for establishing testing protocols on their campus for employees and students that are updated as new information becomes available. Institutions should work with their local health department to develop testing plans and to integrate contact tracing efforts.  

At the end of May, OSHE also released commencement ceremony guidance for institutions of higher education that outline considerations for modified in-person graduation ceremonies beginning on July 6, 2020. Institutions that are planning graduations should prepare for a 500-person limit to be in place on and after July 6. OSHE’s guidance includes requirements that ceremonies be held outdoors, adhere to social distancing protocols, and restrict capacity to protect the health and safety of students and families celebrating these milestones.

All institutions that plan to hold modified in-person ceremonies must certify to OSHE – via an online submission form – that the planned ceremony will comply with applicable requirements for gatherings, including those addressing social distancing. The form must be submitted no later than seven days prior to the scheduled date of the ceremony.

Strategic Restart Plan Institutions should continue monitoring federal and state guidance as the situation evolves and frequently visit OSHE’s COVID-19 resource page for updates.    

06/18/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 155, which will allow in-person clinical, lab, and hands-on programming at institutions of higher education to resume as of July 1, 2020 with enhanced health and safety protocols. Executive Order No. 155 will also allow trade and training schools to reopen on July 1 provided specific health and safety polices are in place. As part of this process, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education has issued Restart Standards for all New Jersey Institutions of Higher Education that can guide the reopening and assist institutions as they prepare for next steps.

In order to open, institutions under the purview of the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) must submit plans that demonstrate how they will follow criteria delineated in guidelines to be released by OSHE today. Those plans are due to OSHE 14 days before the institution intends to implement the plan by bringing students and staff back to campus. Trade and training schools, which are outside of OSHE’s purview, are subject to a similar set of health and safety protocols.

06/17/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that out of concern for the safety and health of its guests, artists, and performing musicians, Morris Arts is postponing its annual Giralda Music & Arts Festival, with a new date to be announced in the future. The 37th annual event was scheduled for June 28, 2020. Please visit www.morrisarts.org for updates, as they become available.

06/16/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) today issued guidance on COVID-19 health and safety protocols for outdoor organized sports activities, which are set to resume as of June 22.

The guidance permits practices and competitions for low-risk sports (golf, tennis) that do not involve contact, and modified no-contact practices for medium-risk (soccer, baseball, softball) and high-risk (football) sports. Traditional practices and competitions for medium-risk sports are expected to be allowed as of July 6, and on July 20 for high-risk sports. As of now, only outdoor activities will be permitted.

Under the guidance, outdoor athletic facilities are permitted to open and be available for organized youth and adult sports activities. Municipalities retain the discretion to open or close municipal fields or facilities for these activities.

Each sports program is required to develop a preparation plan that includes social distancing, staggered schedules, screening, equipment cleaning/sanitation, and face covering protocols, among other measures. Programs should consider consistent groups of the same staff, volunteers and athletes, and avoid mixing between groups. Athletes are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and equipment to practices, and equipment sharing should be limited.

Practices and games must follow outdoor gathering limits including athletes, staff and any visitors or spectators.

Staff and parents/guardians/visitors are required to wear cloth face coverings at practices and games. Athletes are encouraged to wear masks during downtime, but not during physical activity. Nonessential visitors, spectators, staff, volunteers, vendors, members of the media, and activities involving external groups or organizations should be limited as much as possible.

The guidance does not apply to professional sports activities or US national team activities. High school sporting activities under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) must abide by NJSIAA protocols, which shall consider state Health Department guidance, and per Executive Order No. 149, may not resume before June 30.

Youth sports summer camps, which are permitted to open July 6, must follow camp standards in addition to the organized sports guidance.

06/15/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Library will begin curbside service for books, music and other library materials over the next two weeks, as permitted by Administrative Code 2020-15 which relaxes COVID-19 rules for all libraries in New Jersey.   Please call 973-285-6930 for more information on how to retrieve requested material.

• Drop-off services will resume via the library book drops starting on Monday June 15.
• Pickups of new materials will begin on Tuesday morning, June 23.

Patrons will not be allowed to enter the county library, as the state is allowing only pick/drop-off services at this time via contactless delivery at the library curbside. Library users will be asked to wear face coverings and employ social distancing at the county library’s curbside site, where county employees also will greet you with face coverings.

Library staff will follow safety and health protocols at all times while handling materials that may pose a risk of COVID-19 exposure. The curbside process reduces person-to-person contact by following health and safety guidance provided by local, state and national officials. The library will allow a return of materials to book drops only and move returned items to a designated area for a quarantine of at least 72 hours. Library patrons will be able to place holds on our material for curbside pick-up through the library catalog starting the week of June 22.  All Morris County Library materials that are currently checked out by patrons will have late return fees waived at this time.  Patrons are asked to return them starting on June 15.

Due to COVID-19, the County Library has canceled all scheduled in-library programming and us of conference and public meeting rooms until further notice. Patrons are encouraged to visit the library on Facebook and Instagram for updates and information on virtual programming and online learning opportunities.

As of Tuesday, June 23 the library’s adjusted hours will be as follows:

Tuesday and Wednesday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Thursday – 1 PM to 9 PM
Friday and Saturday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Sunday and Monday – CLOSED

06/15/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Administrative Order 2020-15, which permits libraries to allow curbside pickup, beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15. The order also clarifies rules affecting a number of different businesses. Under the order:

• Libraries are permitted to offer curbside pickup and can reopen their outdoor spaces to the public, but patrons shall not be permitted to enter the brick-and-mortar premises;
• Restaurants and indoor recreational and entertainment businesses are permitted to allow individuals to tour their facilities for event-planning purposes, but such individuals must wear face coverings at all times and the facility may not provide food or drink tastings or samplings;
• Students, who may be accompanied by parents or guardians, may enter school premises to retrieve personal belongings from lockers, classrooms, or other areas;
• Open houses to view real estate are permitted, provided they comply with the restrictions on indoor gatherings, including the requirement that attendees wear face coverings;
• Bicycle shops, boat dealerships, car and used car dealerships, farming equipment stores, federal firearms licensees, livestock feed stores, mobile phone retail and repair shops, motorcycle dealerships, and nurseries and garden centers can operate according to the requirements placed on essential retail businesses;
• All car washes can operate according to the requirements placed on essential retail businesses;
• Yard and garage sales are permitted subject to the requirements on indoor gatherings, but municipalities shall have the discretion to impose additional restrictions on these sales;
• Special events, including fireworks displays, at public and private beaches, boardwalks, lakes, and lakeshores are permitted, subject to the restrictions on outdoor gatherings; and
• Shared space tutoring service facilities remain closed to students and clients.

06/14/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 154, allowing personal care service facilities to reopen to the public on Monday, June 22 at 6:00 a.m., provided the facilities comply with standards issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs and Department of Health. Under the Governor’s Executive Order, personal care service facilities include: 

1. Cosmetology shops; 
2. Barber shops; 
3. Beauty salons; 
4. Hair braiding shops; 
5. Nail salons; 
6. Electrology facilities; 
7. Spas, including day spas and medical spas, at which solely elective and cosmetic medical procedures are performed; 
8. Massage parlors;
9. Tanning salons; and 
10. Tattoo parlors.  

The Division of Consumer Affairs today issued Administrative Order 2020-09 that includes comprehensive health and safety standards that personal care services who are licensees of the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling and the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy must abide by. Safeguards include:  

1. Limiting services to appointment-only;
2. Performing health screening, including temperature checks, on clients and staff prior to entry to the facility;
3. Requiring use of personal protective equipment, and requiring clients to wear face coverings at all times, regardless of the service they are receiving, unless face down on a massage table or where doing so would inhibit an individual’s health;
4. Ensuring that all staff-client pairs maintain at least six feet distance between other staff-client pairs, unless separated by physical barriers;
5. Adopting enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices; and
6. Staying informed about new developments and guidance related to COVID-19. 

Executive Order 154 further directs the Commissioner of the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) to issue health and safety standards for use by tattoo parlors, tanning salons and other locations in which personal care services are offered by individuals  who are not acting within the scope of a license issued by a professional board within the Division of Consumer Affairs. NJDOH today issued Executive Directive 2020-15 that includes comprehensive health and safety standards for these locations.

Nothing in the Order shall prevent the provision of services to a person that is confined to their home and unable to travel due to a disability, if these services 1) are permitted under existing statutes and regulations and 2) are provided in a manner that substantially complies with standards issued by the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs and NJDOH.  

Cosmetology schools or other places that provide instruction and training for personal care services shall remain closed at this time.

06/13/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the New Jersey Department of Education today released guidance for school districts to conduct summer educational programming in-person, including Extended School Year (ESY).

In-person programs are permitted to begin on or after July 6, and must follow all applicable health and safety protocols. Districts that have planned for remote learning may still proceed with virtual instruction for both ESY and other summer learning opportunities for students. Summer learning may include strategies such as traditional summer school; ESY programming with individualized instruction for students with special needs; credit-recovery programs that allow students to retake coursework or obtain credits needed for graduation; migrant education; programs for English language learners; 21st Century Community Learning Centers that offer enrichment during non-school hours; and any additional summer learning opportunities that school districts may need to address learning loss and prepare students for the coming school year. 

The move to resume summer-learning programs is part of New Jersey’s multi-stage approach to a responsible and strategic restart from COVID-19. Governor Murphy announced that on June 15, New Jersey will enter Stage Two of The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health, in which the state will ease restrictions on certain businesses and activities, as long as they adhere to strict health and safety guidelines.

On May 30, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 149, approving Stage Two activities that include the operation of summer camps that “provide daily multi-hour programming for youths” to begin on or after July 6. Summer educational programs run by school districts, charter schools and renaissance schools fall under this definition of “summer camps.” 

School districts that want to operate modified in-person summer programs, or a combination of remote and in-person programs, must submit an attestation form to the NJDOH at least 24 hours prior to the anticipated opening date that the school will follow applicable health and safety protocols.

The guidance documents – Summer Learning Resource Guide and Guidance on the Delivery of Extended School Year Services – are available on the Department of Education’s website.

06/12/20: Montville Township issued a revised Order of Modified Operations of Facility for the Montville Township Dog Park, increasing the number of patrons allowed in the large dog section and small dog section of the park from 4 patrons in each section to 90 and 40, respectively, which, based on the square footage of each section, is the maximum number of patrons that can be present in the facility and still maintain social distancing. Mask use inside the Dog Park is still required.  

06/12/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the results of an online survey conducted in conjunction with Rutgers University’s Heldrich Center for Workforce Development earlier this month that drew responses from nearly 4,000 businesses and non-profits across the state. For the full survey results, please click here. Results of the survey demonstrate overwhelmingly that while the business and non-profit community is eager to get back to work, owners understand and take seriously the public health risks posed by COVID-19 and the responsibility to provide a safe experience for employees and customers. Many worry about the effect of a possible second wave of the virus.

A majority of owners (51%) cited consumer confidence as the most pressing issue, while 13% cited access to personal protective equipment as their biggest concern. Approximately one in 10 said employee confidence would present the biggest challenge to reopening while four in 10 listed employee confidence as one obstacle but not the most pressing one.

Respondents want state government help to reopen safely, particularly guidance on reopening restrictions (60%), guidance on safety measures to keep employees and customers safe (49%), and help in acquiring disinfecting and cleaning products (42%). The majority of respondents (54%) will rely on state/local government and Department of Health guidelines—greater than those who will rely on Centers for Disease Control (23%) and industry and association guidelines (14%).

Customer-facing businesses report that limiting occupancy or reducing capacity of their facilities will be the most difficult challenge.

Other findings from the survey include:

• A large majority of business and non-profit owners plan to change their business operations to achieve social distancing, including seven in 10 (70%) who indicate they will re-configure their workplace footprint.
• Some businesses (35%) have expanded remote work options in response to the pandemic or are considering it in order to reduce the number of employees at work.
• Eight in 10 (79%) businesses in customer-facing industries will require employees to wear facemasks, whether or not the government requires them, and will also provide employees with facemasks to wear while in the workplace (79%).
• Seven in 10 (72%) customer-facing businesses will require customers/visitors to wear facemasks, whether or not the government requires them, and four in 10 (40%) of businesses plan to provide them.
• Seven in 10 (68%) are concerned with their ability to pay their rent, mortgage, or utilities. Another five in 10 say paying their employees (48%) and paying taxes (47%) are major challenges that their organizations are facing.

The roughly 4,000 responses from business and non-profit owners or decision makers, collected between May 21st and June 3rd, mirror the New Jersey business community in size and industry composition. Most respondents have less than 10 employees, and most have been in operation for at least 10 years. Half of respondents are from woman- or minority-owned businesses. The survey was conducted in both English and Spanish. Respondents are evenly distributed across North, Central, and South Jersey and businesses vary across New Jersey sectors. The survey included a non-probability, opt-in sample of respondents and was distributed via dozens of New Jersey industry groups, chambers of commerce, and non-profit organizations. 

06/10/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing he signed Executive Order 152, which raises limits on outdoor and indoor gatherings, and Executive Order 153, which allows public pools to open effective June 22 and additional outdoor recreational businesses effective immediately.

Under Executive Order 152, effective immediately, indoor gatherings are limited to 25 percent of the capacity of the room, but regardless of the room’s capacity, such limit shall never be less than 10 people, or more than 50 people.  All attendees at the gathering must wear face coverings, unless for a medical reason, or if the individual is under 2 years old; individuals must remain six feet apart at all times; and physical items may not be shared by multiple attendees of the same gathering unless sanitized before and after uses.

Outdoor gatherings are limited to 100 people, and attendees are required to be six feet apart.  Individuals should wear face coverings at all times where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, and individuals who are in vehicles shall not count towards the gathering limit.  

Nothing in Executive Order 152 shall prevent a person at a gathering from momentarily removing their mask to place or receive an item in their mouth, if done for religious purposes, or for health and safety. Additionally, available parking at State Parks and Forests, and at county and municipal parks, may reopen to their full maximum capacity.

Under Executive Order 153, outdoor swimming pools can open effective at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 22, provided that it complies with Executive Order 153 and also COVID-19 Outdoor Pool Standards issued by the NJ Department of Health.  Pool facilities may open for the purpose of lifeguard training and lifeguard swimming lessons prior to June 22.

Additionally, outdoor recreational and entertainment businesses are permitted to reopen immediately, with the exception of amusement parks, water parks, and arcades.  These recreational and entertainment businesses are required to abide by a number of social distancing protocols that are specified in the Order.  Any type of event at an outdoor recreational or entertainment business that involves individuals there at a specific time for a common reason, such as a movie or concert, are subject to the restrictions on outdoor gatherings.  

Public and private social clubs are permitted to reopen their outdoor spaces, provided they comply with all applicable terms of the Order.  And nothing in the Order prevents a business from operating an amusement game outdoors, such as a game on a boardwalk, so long as the game does not take place in an amusement park and an employee is present and adheres to all of the requirements in Paragraph 1 of this Order, including sanitizing all equipment before and after each use.

Paragraph 2 of Executive Order 107, which requires New Jersey residents to remain home with limited exceptions, is formally rescinded.  The other provisions of that Order, including the requirement that businesses or non-profits accommodate their workforce for telework or work-from-home arrangements, wherever practicable, are still in effect.

06/08/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) issued COVID-19 health and safety guidelines for summer youth camps following Governor Murphy’s executive order allowing operations beginning July 6. The guidelines provide procedures for camp operators to implement health and safety standards for staff and campers such as screening, hygiene, social distancing and staff/camper ratios.

Youth summer day camps will be permitted to operate on or after July 6 provided that they develop and implement a COVID Operational Plan that meets the requirements of Executive Order 149 and the guidelines. All summer youth camps are required to submit the Youth Camp Attestation Form to the Department of Health no later than 24 hours prior to the opening date.

Under the guidelines, cloth face coverings for staff and campers shall be worn when social distancing of 6 feet between assigned groups cannot be maintained. Staff are also encouraged to wear cloth masks while working unless doing so would inhibit the individual’s health; the individual is in extreme heat outdoors; or the individual is in water. Cloth face coverings should not be put on children under age two because of the danger of suffocation.

Daily health screening for COVID-19 will be put in place at entry for campers and staff. Both indoor and outdoor camps should ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that groups include the same children each day and that the same staff remain with the same group each day. Mixing between groups should be restricted.

Residential and overnight camps are not permitted. In addition, off-site activities, field trips, contact sports and inter-group competitions are prohibited.

Youth camps are licensed by the state Health Department, and applications must be completed and submitted at least 14 days prior to the start date of activities.

On May 29, the New Jersey Department of Human Services announced the availability of up to $20 million in grants to assist childcare centers and youth camps in meeting health and safety guidelines in response to COVID-19.

Childcare centers can receive up to $5,000, while youth camps can receive up to $2,000. The money can be used to purchase additional cleaning products, personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves and thermometers, and other products and services to assist centers in complying with appropriate guidelines.

The grants are available to licensed childcare providers and youth camps that comply with updated state health and safety guidance. The providers must be registered with the NJ Workforce Registry and must apply through the New Jersey Child Care Information System (NJCCIS). Applications are subject to review and approval.

06/07/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that beginning Monday, June 8, the Morris County Covid-19 drive-through test center at County College of Morris in Randolph, operated by Morris County in partnership with Atlantic Health, will be open to all Morris County and Sussex County residents who want a nasal swab test, without a prescription and whether or not they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. 

The nasal swab test is to determine whether or not someone is currently infected with COVID-19. Antibody tests are not being offered at this site. The test site is open on weekdays only, starting at 9:00 am. The testing is free, but you must still make an appointment first at https://health.morriscountynj.gov/COVIDTesting. Residents arriving for testing should use CCM’s Center Grove Road entrance to access the testing site, which is located in parking lot Number 1.

All first responders and health care workers, who work in Morris and Sussex counties, also will be offered priority testing without a prescription or symptoms, regardless of their county of residence.

When you arrive at the testing center:  

• Your ID and appointment verification will be confirmed before entry;
• Please pay attention to all signage, which is in English and Spanish;
• Vehicle windows must remain closed until instructed to open;
• Do not move forward until instructed to do so;
• There are no emergency services available. If you experience a medical emergency, please go to the nearest hospital or dial 911;
• No photographing or video recording is permitted.
• For persons with a healthcare provider,  you must provide your provider’s fax number when you make an appointment. Your results will be forwarded to your healthcare provider via fax.
• For persons without a healthcare provider, your results will be provided to you by the Morris County Office of Health Management. You must provide a phone number where you can be contacted.

For more information on COVID testing and the county’s response to the pandemic, visit: https://health.morriscountynj.gov/coronavirus/

06/06/20: Governor Murphy and NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Chief Administrator Sue Fulton issued a press release announcing plans for a phased reopening of MVC facilities to the public following closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reopening will proceed in a way that safeguards public health and safety, bringing many changes and improved efficiencies to Commission operations.

MVC workspaces have been extensively overhauled during the COVID-19 closure to add Plexiglas barriers and other social distancing measures. MVC employees are returning to the agencies next week, for Health & Safety briefings, hardware and software reboots, and training on new protocols. Going forward, everyone who enters the MVC agency will be required to wear a face covering. That includes customers as well as employees. If a customer cannot wear a face covering, MVC will make other arrangements for their transaction.

In order to limit crowds and speed services during the phased reopening, some agencies have been designated as Licensing Centers and some as Vehicle Centers. A list of Licensing Centers and Vehicle Centers, as well as information on transactions, will be posted soon at NJMVC.gov.

Drop-off and pick-up transactions will be processed starting June 15, but only the following:

1. At designated Licensing Centers, MVC will be processing and validating permits from driving schools and high schools on a drop-off basis. 
2. At designated Vehicle Centers, MVC will be processing registration and title work from dealers. License plates can also be surrendered by drop-off at these agencies in a designated area.

MVC will also be processing registration/title transfers for private sales by a new combination online and mail-in procedure. Customers will be able to sign up for this option at NJMVC.gov. More detail will be provided in the next few days. These activities are meant to clear a three-month backlog from the March 15 MVC closure.

Road tests and the issuing of new licenses and permits are tentatively expected to start on June 29 (subject to change), with some additional transactions like out-of-state transfers and private sales registrations, but still on a limited basis to prevent crowding. The Commission has tripled road-testing capacity, adding 11 courses and reassigning over 100 Safety Specialists to serve as road test examiners for 30 to 60 days. This takes MVC from an average of 5,800 road tests per week to about 16,300. MVC expects the backlog to be cleared by the end of the 60 days. Those whose road tests were canceled during the shut-down will be contacted by MVC and provided a secure link to get the first appointments.

At designated Licensing Centers starting June 29 (tentative), MVC will be processing new licenses and permits, out-of-state transfers, and REAL ID for those whose appointments were canceled. At designated Vehicle Centers starting June 29 (tentative), MVC will be adding individual registration and title transactions. Transactions that can be done online will not be available in person at this time. The MVC continues to urge customers to use NJMVC.gov to renew or replace licenses, renew or replace registrations, or change their address. Customers can also contact MVC by email for help with a suspension.

06/05/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 151, which extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order 103, extended on April 7, 2020 through Executive Order 119, and extended again on May 6, 2020 through Executive Order 138. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

Executive Order 151 extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act. It also extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.  

06/04/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 150, which allows outdoor dining starting at 6:00 am on Monday, June 15^th, with an accompanying NJ Department of Health Executive Directive 20-014 that lays out health and safety standards that food or beverage establishments are required to follow. In addition, the Governor announced a special ruling by the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control creating a pathway for liquor license holders to expand the premises on which they may serve alcohol.

Establishments will be required to follow a number of COVID-19 health and safety protocols issued by the Department of Health in Executive Directive 20-014, including a limit of eight customers maximum per table, and requirements of at least six feet of distance between parties, as well as others. In addition, for as long as indoor dining is not permitted, food or beverage establishments are required to prohibit smoking in any outdoor areas designated for the consumption of food and/or beverages.

The Order further notes that municipalities are permitted to use their existing authority to allow food or beverage establishments to expand their footprint to outdoor areas, both within their property and among municipally-governed areas, including but not limited to sidewalks, streets, or parks.

Additionally, a special ruling by the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) will temporarily permit establishments with liquor licenses to expand their licensed premises into outdoor areas that are either contiguous or non-contiguous to their permanently licensed premises. Establishments may apply through the POSSE ABC Online Licensing system, and if approved will be issued a temporary permit effective on June 15^th that will run until November 14, 2020. ABC will not take action on any application until it receives an endorsement or approval by the appropriate governing body officials, and it is the responsibility of the licensee to comply with local ordinances and site plan requirements.

Also effective at 6:00 am on Monday, June 15, 2020, the brick-and-mortar premises of non-essential retail businesses that were closed to the public by Executive Order 107 can reopen to the public, provided that such businesses adopt policies that include, at a minimum, the requirements that were applied to essential retail businesses in Paragraph 1 of Executive Order 122. 

Executive Order 122, Paragraph 1: Where an essential retail business is permitted to maintain in-person operations pursuant to Executive Order No. 107 (2020) and any subsequent Administrative Orders, such business must adopt policies that include, at minimum, the following requirements:

• Limit occupancy at 50% of the stated maximum store capacity, if applicable, at one time;
• Establish hours of operation, wherever possible, that permit access solely to high-risk individuals, as defined by the CDC;
• Install a physical barrier, such as a shield guard, between customers and cashiers/baggers wherever feasible or otherwise ensure six feet of distance between those individuals, except at the moment of payment and/or exchange of goods;
• Require infection control practices, such as regular hand washing, coughing and sneezing etiquette, and proper tissue usage and disposal; 
• Provide employees break time for repeated handwashing throughout the workday;
• Arrange for contactless pay options, pickup, and/or delivery of goods wherever feasible. Such policies shall, wherever possible, consider populations that do not have access to internet service;
• Provide sanitization materials, such as hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, to staff and customers;
  Require frequent sanitization of high-touch areas like restrooms, credit card machines, keypads, counters and shopping carts;
• Place conspicuous signage at entrances and throughout the store, if applicable, alerting staff and customers to the required six feet of physical distance;
• Demarcate six feet of spacing in check-out lines to demonstrate appropriate spacing for social distancing; and Require workers and customers to wear cloth face coverings while on the premises, except where doing
  so would inhibit that individual’s health or where the individual is under two years of age, and require workers to wear gloves when in contact with customers or goods. Businesses must provide, at their expense, such face coverings and gloves for their employees. If a customer refuses to wear a cloth face covering for non-medical reasons and if such covering cannot be provided to the individual by the business at the point of entry, then the
  business must decline entry to the individual, unless the business is providing medication, medical supplies, or food, in which case the business policy should provide alternate methods of pickup and/or delivery of such goods. Nothing in the stated policy should prevent workers or customers from wearing a surgical-grade mask or other more protective face covering if the individual is already in possession of such equipment, or if the business is otherwise required to provide such worker with more protective equipment due to the nature of the work involved. Where an individual declines to wear a face covering on store premises due to a medical condition that inhibits such usage, neither the essential retail business nor its staff shall require the individual to produce medical documentation verifying the stated condition.

06/02/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that New Jersey will enter Stage Two of his restart and recovery plan on June 15, 2020.

Guided by strict protocols from the New Jersey Department of Health, as well as input from the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission and complementary Advisory Councils, Stage Two will include outdoor dining for restaurants and indoor, non-essential retail as of June 15th. Beginning on June 22nd, barber shops and salons will be able to reopen. In the period to follow, New Jersey will work toward the gradual opening of personal care, gyms, and health clubs, at reduced capacities as the stage progresses. All of these activities will be allowed pursuant to strict health and safety guidelines that will be issued in the coming days. New Jersey ended maximum restrictions and moved to Stage One on May 18, 2020.

STAGE 2:

Restrictions are relaxed on activities that can be easily safeguarded. All workers who can work from home should continue to work from home.

 Phased-in businesses and activities, with adherence to safeguarding and modification guidelines, include:

• Outdoor dining (beginning on June 15th)
• Limited in-person retail (beginning on June 15th)
• Hair salons and barber shops (beginning on June 22nd)
• Youth summer programs (beginning on July 6th)
• In-person clinical research/labs
• Limited fitness/gyms
• Limited in-person government services (e.g. – Motor Vehicle Commission)
• Museums/libraries

Precautions that apply across all stages include:

• Clinically high-risk individuals who can stay at home should continue to do so.
• All residents and businesses should follow state and federal safeguarding guidelines:
  • Wash hands
  • Wear masks in public
  • Respect social distancing
  • Minimize gatherings
  • Disinfect workplace and businesses
  • Minimize gatherings 
  • No mass gatherings

New Jersey will move toward subsequent stages based on data that demonstrates improvements in public health and the capacity to safeguard the public, including:

• Sustained improvements in public health indicators, including new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, individuals in intensive care, and ventilator use;
• Substantial increase in testing and contact tracing capacity;
• Sufficient resilience in New Jersey’s health care system to include adequate bed capacity, ventilators, personal protective equipment, and workforce;
• Widespread safeguarding of workplaces;
• Widespread safeguarding and capacity of child care, schools, and mass transit;
• Continued public compliance.

If public health indicators, safeguarding, or compliance worsen on a sustained basis, New Jersey will be prepared to move back to more restrictive stages as well.

For a one-page summary of Governor Murphy’s multi-stage approach to restart New Jersey’s economy, click here.

05/30/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that in accordance with Executive Order 149, the NJ Department of Children and Families (NJDCF) today released specific operating guidance for centers in order to preserve the health and safety of children, staff and the families being served.

The childcare safety guidelines, which were posted on the NJ DCF website and which will be communicated to all licensed childcare centers in the State of New Jersey, require centers to abide by certain safety guidelines as a condition of reopening.  Among the safe guidelines for childcare centers:

• Centers will be required to screen children and staff each day, prior to entry into the center.  Anyone exhibiting symptoms or with a fever over 100.4 will be prohibited from entering the center.
• Class and group sizes will be limited, and groups must be spaced out throughout the center.  Staff members will not be able to move between groups.
• Staff will be required to wear cloth masks, and children over the age of 2 will be encouraged, whenever feasible, to wear masks.  Masks will not be required when they would inhibit an individual’s health.  Masks for children under the age of 2 or during nap-time will be prohibited as they may pose a suffocation hazard for young children.
• Childcare centers will be required to engage in enhanced cleaning and sanitation practices.

Licensed childcare centers will be required to file an attestation form with the Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing, indicating that they plan to reopen and will follow the prescribed safety guidelines, modeled after best practices and standards released by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations.  Office of Licensing inspectors will begin to visit licensed childcare centers beginning June 15 in order to support centers in implementing safety guidance. 

05/30/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 149, which allows the resumption of child care services, youth day camps, and organized sports. This Order rescinds the emergency child care program under Executive Order No. 110 as of June 15, and permits child care centers to resume normal operations on or after June 15, subject to their compliance with COVID-19-specific health and safety standards. Additionally, youth day camps can open on or after July 6, and must comply with COVID-19-specific health and safety standards.

The Order also suspends the prohibition on individuals engaging in organized sporting activities as of June 22, provided that activities remain outdoors and are non-contact, and the Department of Health will issue health and safety standards for these activities. High school sports under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) may resume only in accordance with reopening protocols issued by NJSIAA, and cannot resume any earlier than June 30.  

Child Care Services

• Effective 6:00 a.m. on June 15, 2020, child care centers and other child care facilities are permitted to resume operations for all clients, provided that they comply with the COVID-19 Child Care Standards and other applicable statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders.  
• Each child care center must submit an attestation to the Department of Children and Families no later than 24 hours prior to the anticipated opening date, or in the case of currently operating emergency child care centers, within fourteen days of the effective date of this Order, attesting that it will follow all applicable health and safety standards, as detailed in the COVID-19 Child Care Standards.  

Youth Day Camps

• Youth summer camps shall be permitted to operate on or after Monday, July 6, 2020, provided that they comply with the COVID-19 Child Care and Youth Summer Camp Standards and other applicable statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders.
• Youth summer camps that wish to operate on or after July 6, 2020, must submit an attestation to the Department of Health no later than 24 hours prior to the anticipated opening date, attesting that they will follow all applicable health and safety standards, as detailed in the COVID-19 Youth Summer Camp Standards.
• Residential and overnight camps are prohibited from operating.

Organized Sports

• Effective June 22, 2020, sporting activities, including organized sporting activities, are permitted in outdoor settings only, provided that they do not involve person-to-person contact or routinely entail individuals interacting within six feet of one another.  Any sporting activities that involve person-to-person contact or individuals routinely interacting in close proximity (within six feet of one another) will remain prohibited in any setting. 
• The Commissioner of the Department of Health shall impose health and safety standards regarding sporting activities before that date, and such activities must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders, including restrictions on gatherings in place at the time the sporting activities occur.
• High school sporting activities under the jurisdiction of the NJSIAA may resume in accordance with reopening protocols issued by NJSIAA, which shall consider DOH guidance in issuing these protocols. However, these high school sporting activities cannot resume any earlier than June 30, 2020.

05/30/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Administrative Order 2020-14, which allows horse racetracks to reopen on June 1st with no spectators, and with health and safety protocols in place. The order also requires racetracks to adhere to a number of social distancing requirements that are laid out in the order. Under the order, the Executive Director of the New Jersey Racing Commission, or her designee, will have the authority to inspect racetracks to ensure that all required policies are being followed.

05/29/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing the COVID-19 Short-Term Rental Assistance Program. The program will provide rental assistance to low- and moderate-income households that have had a substantial reduction in income as a result of the pandemic, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The program will open for applications in July and begin paying rental assistance in September.  Qualifying households will be expected to pay 30 percent of their income toward rent, and the program would pay the remainder of their rent up to DCA’s fair market rent payment standard (see chart below). At the three-month mark, the household budget will be reviewed to determine if assistance is still needed. Assistance that is no longer required will be used to serve additional families.

The program will devote approximately 20 percent of funding to serve those who are very low income and homeless or at risk of homelessness with up to 12 months of rental assistance. These households will be selected by DCA through the Coordinated Entry process in each county’s Homeless Management Information System. To help families reach self-sufficiency, case management, financial planning, and other assistance will be provided by the program.

For the remainder of the funding, DCA will administer an online lottery. When the lottery is opened, households may submit applications and participants will be selected from the overall pool of applicants through a randomized process based on eligibility and the lottery criteria. Applicants selected through the lottery will be eligible to receive up to six months of short-term rental assistance. Should further funding become available, DCA will serve additional households.

The COVID-19 Short Term Rental Assistance Program website will launch on June 15 with additional information at https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/shorttermrap.html.

05/29/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson today announced the immediate availability of up to $20 million in grants to assist child care centers and youth camps in meeting health and safety guidelines in response to COVID-19. The grants are available to licensed child care providers and youth camps that comply with updated state health and safety guidance. The providers must be registered with the NJ Workforce Registry and must apply through the New Jersey Child Care Information System (NJCCIS). Applications are subject to review and approval.

05/29/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he conditionally vetoed the following bill: 

S-2331/A-3912 - Assists inmates released from incarceration in obtaining necessary reentry benefits. Copy of Statement

Governor Murphy also absolute vetoed the following bills: 

S-2351/A3924 - Affords employment protection to certain emergency medical responders. Copy of Statement

S-2363/A-3921 - Authorizes Governor to permit emergency rent suspension for certain small business tenants during COVID-19 pandemic. Copy of Statement

05/29/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release that he today signed legislation (A4157), which temporarily extends the deadline to file a property tax appeal to July 1, 2020, and the deadline for county boards of taxation to render decisions in tax appeal cases to September 30, 2020. The bill takes effect immediately and applies retroactively to April 1, 2020.

05/28/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) today released guidance regarding commencement ceremonies to honor 2020 graduates during the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

The guidance outlines three options for K-12 school commencement ceremonies: 1) virtual; 2) drive-through/drive-in; or 3) modified in-person, outdoor ceremonies. Decisions about the most appropriate type of ceremony for each school community will be made locally, in consultation with municipal officials. At this time, only virtual ceremonies are permitted. Beginning July 6, 2020, drive-through/drive-in and modified in-person, outdoor ceremonies will be permitted subject to the requirements set forth in the guidance. These ceremonies must comply with the social distancing protocols and the limitations on in-person gatherings that are in place when the ceremonies are held.

Some critical factors for districts to consider if they are holding either a drive-in/drive-through or a modified in-person ceremony include:

1. Staff limits: Schools should limit the number of staff members to only those required to facilitate the commencement ceremony;
2. Sick individuals: Sick individuals should not attend. NJDOH and CDC guidelines can provide direction for those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Districts should discourage attendance if a visitor or someone in their household is experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness or if they have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Schools should consider screening visitors upon arrival with non-contact thermometers and excluding any person with a temperature exceeding 100.4 °F;
3. Equity: Districts are encouraged to ensure that graduation ceremonies are inclusive and accessible for all students and families. Accommodations should be made for families that may not be able to attend in-person;
4. Certification to the DOE: School districts that plan to hold a drive-in/drive-through or modified in-person ceremony must certify to the Department of Education, via an online submission form that will be made available on June 5, 2020, that their planned ceremony will comply with applicable requirements for gatherings, including those addressing social distancing.   The form must be submitted no later than seven days prior to the scheduled date of the ceremony.

Modified In-Person Graduation Ceremonies

In addition to the above considerations, the DOE guidance addresses a number of factors for districts to consider in the planning of modified in-person graduation ceremonies, including: 

1. Local review: School districts should plan ceremonies in consultation with municipal officials (local law enforcement, local health officials, etc.);  
2. Location: Modified in-person commencement ceremonies must take place outdoors. Indoor ceremonies are not permitted. Open-air rain tarps, tents, and other outdoor structures may be used only to protect against foul weather or for shade;
3. Attendance: Schools may consider limiting the number of guests or holding student-only commencements. Ceremonies must meet the relevant capacity limitation on in-person gatherings in place at the time of the ceremony;
4. Social distancing: Attendees must remain six feet apart at all times, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners. Schools should consider using tape or other materials to demarcate six feet of distance between students and attendees while standing and walking, and ensure that all seating for students, guests and staff allows for six feet of distance between persons;
5. Multiple ceremonies: Districts should consider class size and available space to determine the number of ceremonies needed. Districts should follow CDC and NJDOH protocols for cleaning in between ceremonies and consider holding ceremonies over the span of several days;
6. Duration: Districts should consider limiting the length of ceremonies to shorten the time students and attendees are exposed to each other. Districts should also limit speakers and live performances and avoid the sharing of microphones or other equipment that may pose a health risk;
7. Entrances/exits: Districts should assign staff to monitor entrances and exits to prevent congregation and consider staggering arrival times to ease crowds at access points. If possible, districts should utilize multiple entrance and exit points;
8. Face coverings: In accordance with CDC recommendations, attendees should wear face coverings (except for children under 2 or in cases that would inhibit a person’s health); and

In addition, to limit person-to-person contact, districts should provide diplomas and caps/gowns to students in advance of graduation ceremonies. Programs, maps, and other documents can be emailed or mailed to families before the ceremony. Sharing or exchanging materials of any kind poses an increased risk of transmission/spread of COVID-19 and should be avoided. Chairs and other equipment should not be shared and should be sanitized before and after use.

Drive-Through and Drive-In Commencement Ceremonies

Drive-through and drive-in commencement ceremonies can be held in school parking lots, drive-in movie theaters, stadium parking lots, or other large parking lot venues that provide sufficient space to accommodate event attendees arriving in their cars. Projection screens or sound equipment may be used to allow school staff to call student names, display photos or videos, and provide other audio-visual support. 

Some of the major factors involving drive-through and drive-in ceremonies include:

1. Drive-through and drive-in commencement ceremonies must comply with all requirements of Executive Order 142 (2020), or the rules or requirements for vehicular gatherings that are in place at the time of the ceremony;
2. Accommodations should be made to allow families without vehicles to participate while adhering to social distancing protocols;
3. If allowing access to restrooms, take appropriate measures to prevent congregation and consult with health officials on disinfection protocols;
4. Multiple ceremonies may be needed depending on class size;
5. Consider potential broadcasting of the ceremony or otherwise making a livestream available for family members unable to attend; and
6. Organizers or others assisting with the event, and who are not in closed vehicles, must follow all applicable Executive Orders and Administrative Orders and must wear face coverings, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health.

Virtual Ceremonies 

The DOE has previously provided guidance regarding virtual ceremonies, which may be held at any time. The DOE notes that virtual ceremonies are the safest alternative graduation ceremony at this time. The DOE’s full guidance on virtual ceremonies is available online here .

05/28/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) today published graduation guidance for institutions of higher education that outline considerations for drive-in/drive-through and modified in-person graduation ceremonies beginning on July 6, 2020. The guidance includes requirements that ceremonies be held outdoors, adhere to social distancing protocols, and restrict capacity to protect the health and safety of students and families celebrating these milestones amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance is available on OSHE’s website here.

The guidance includes the following requirements for commencement ceremonies:

1. Drive-in/drive-through or modified in-person ceremonies may only occur after July 6, 2020;
2. Institutions must adhere to the relevant capacity limitation on in-person gatherings in place at the time of the ceremony (this may require institutions to hold multiple ceremonies over the course of several days to ensure capacity restrictions are not exceeded); and
3. Institutions must determine the minimum number of staff and faculty necessary to facilitate commencement ceremonies and adjust attendance requirements accordingly.

Institutions should stay informed of state and local rules and guidance, as the social distancing requirements in the guidance are subject to change. Institutions must further be proactive and clear in communicating guidelines and directions to those in attendance and consider sharing the same with students and families in advance of the commencement ceremonies.

05/26/20: Montville Township issued a Civic Alert on May 15, 2020 that due to the unprecedented restrictions and social distancing guidelines in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Montville Township 4th of July Organization has made the decision to cancel this year’s Montville Township 4th of July Celebration that was to take place on June 25-27, 2020.
The Montville Township 4th of July Organization is not supported by tax dollars, but rather is funded entirely from contributions of residents, the Montville Area business community, and from proceeds of the previous year’s event.

05/26/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that that the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) will issue updated guidance allowing school districts and colleges/universities to hold modified in-person graduation ceremonies beginning on July 6. The guidance will include requirements that ceremonies be held outdoors, adhere to social distancing protocols, and observe capacity restrictions in order to protect the health of students and families celebrating these milestones amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

DOE and OSHE guidance, which will be issued in full on Wednesday, will include the following requirements for commencement ceremonies:

• Must take place on or after July 6, 2020;
• Must take place outdoors or be drive-in/drive-through (no indoor ceremonies will be allowed);
• Must adhere to the relevant capacity limitation in place at the time of the ceremony (this may require districts to hold multiple ceremonies held over a period of time to ensure capacity restrictions are not exceeded);
• Districts and institutions must determine the minimum number of staff and faculty necessary to facilitate commencement ceremonies and adjust attendance requirements accordingly;
• Caps, gowns, diplomas, and other materials must be mailed to individual student homes, sent electronically where possible, or otherwise distributed in a manner that complies with social distancing guidelines;
• All activities must be coordinated in consultation with municipal officials, such as the local Office of Emergency Management, local law enforcement, first responders, and local health officials.

Additionally, DOE guidance will stipulate that commencements must be held only for graduation from middle school or high school, and not for other ceremonies that mark promotion from one grade to the next. Districts and institutions of higher education can continue to opt for virtual or drive-through/drive-in ceremonies held in accordance with Executive Order 142. Only virtual ceremonies can be held prior to July 6. 

05/26/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that pursuant to Executive Order No. 148, professional sports teams which train or play in New Jersey are allowed to practice and engage in games or matches, if their leagues resume competition. The order, issued on Friday, May 22, 2020, explicitly allowed professional athletes which train and/or play in New Jersey to fulfill their job duties. It allows for teams to utilize their New Jersey-based facilities for practice, training, and other purposes where team personnel have to be on location and cannot work remotely.

05/24/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the NJ Department of Labor (NJDOL) has created a Frequently Asked Questions page, with a series of key links, to help guide Morris County residents who are unable to access COVID-19 related unemployment insurance benefits and who have been unable to contact the state Department of Labor to understand why their claims are denied. The Department of Labor is also touting a new chat system it set up to provide answers.

The press release lists some of NJDOL’s Frequently Asked Questions and their answers, and also notes that state legislators representing all districts in Morris County are also working to help residents navigate the unemployment system. The press release includes a list of municipalities in each Morris County district, the State Senators that serve each district, and the contact information for each of those State Senators. Montville is located in District 26. The State Senator for District 26 is Mr. Joseph Pennacchio. His office is located at 170 Changebridge Road, Unit A1, Montville NJ 07045, and his office phone number is 973-227-4012.

05/22/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 148, which increases the limit on outdoor gatherings from 10 to 25 people, and allows recreational campgrounds to reopen with social distancing measures in place. The limit on indoor gatherings remains at 10 people. The Order takes effect immediately.  

Outdoor Gatherings: The Governor’s Executive Order allows outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people so long as the following rules are complied with:

• The gathering must take place entirely outdoors except for restroom use;
• Limit capacity to no more than 25 people at all times;
• Require attendees to be six feet apart at all times, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners;
• Prohibit contact between attendees, and no organized or contact sports;
• If the event is an organized gathering, the organizer should demarcate six feet of spacing in the area of the gathering to demonstrate appropriate spacing for social distancing;
• Limit provided seating to single individuals, spaced six feet apart, and sanitized after each use;
• Prohibit sharing of any physical items provided and require sanitization before and after each use; and
• Require contactless pay options wherever feasible. 

Nothing in the Order shall prevent professional athletes from fulfilling their job duties, consistent with paragraph 10 of Executive Order 107.

Charter Boats and Recreational Businesses: The Order rescinds the 10-person capacity limit on charter boats and recreational businesses opened under Executive Order 147, including archery ranges, batting cages, golf driving ranges, horseback riding, tennis clubs, and shooting ranges, and imposes a new 25-person capacity limitation with a requirement that individuals can remain six feet apart at all times.

Parks, Beaches, Boardwalks, and Lakeshores: The Order allows gatherings of no more than 25 people at State Parks and Forests, county and municipal parks, public and private beaches, boardwalks, lakes, and lakeshores, but continues to prohibit special events such as festivals, concerts, fireworks, and movies.

Recreational Campgrounds: The Order permits private and public recreational campgrounds to reopen to the public. The following shall remain closed at recreational campgrounds: picnic areas; playgrounds; pavilions; and other buildings amenities, or facilities, except restrooms and showers. Recreational campgrounds that are open to the public must comply with the same restrictions required for recreational businesses.  The Department of Environmental Protection is required to prepare a phased-in reopening plan for all campgrounds located on State Parks and Forests within fifteen days.

The Order also recommends, but does not order, that people wear a face covering while at outdoor gatherings and recreational campgrounds when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

05/22/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is warning residents that criminals are using the COVID-19 emergency to carry out a new scam, posing as Contact Tracers to steal money or personal information. Legitimate contact tracing requires that trained health department staff and volunteers interview people over the phone who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and to try to determine who may have recently been in contact with them. They then contact those people who have been exposed and can advise them to quarantine to help prevent spreading the disease. 

However, a recent criminal trend has identified criminal scammers pretending to be contact tracers. The scammers send messages to potential victims saying they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19/coronavirus and that they need to click on an included link to learn more. When that link is clicked, malicious software is downloaded onto a person’s smartphone or other device, giving hackers access to their target’s private information. Legitimate contact tracers may send text messages to let a person know that they will be calling so that the person is more likely to pick up the call from a number they may not be familiar with, but legitimate text messages from contact tracers DO NOT include a link to click on. Messages that include a link to click should be viewed as illegitimate and deleted immediately. Legitimate contact tracers will ask questions about your health history, your symptoms, and your activities in the days leading up to the start of your symptoms, but legitimate contact tracers DO NOT ask for sensitive personal information such as your driver’s license number, your Social Security number, or your bank account number.

The press release also describes other scams that residents should be aware of, including one involving COVID-19 stimulus checks, where criminals call and/or email individuals and claim to be from the Treasury Department, and offer expedited payments or assistance with obtaining an Economic Impact Payment (stimulus check). Residents do not have to pay taxes or processing fees to obtain a relief stimulus payment. Residents are advised that if they receive a call asking for personal information or fees to obtain a stimulus check, they should not provide any personal information and should not send money.

Residents: if you have have been contacted by a scammer, please notify the Montville Police Department at 973-257-4300 or the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200. Residents also can report the theft of stimulus checks from the mail to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at www.uspis.gov/report or 1-800-ASK-USPS. Other inquiries should be directed to Public Information Officer Meghan Knab at mknab@co.morris.nj.us or by phone at 973-829-8159.

05/22/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he is proposing significant budget cuts as part of a revised fiscal plan to weather the COVID-19 crisis. The Department of the Treasury delivered a budget update to the Legislature today, providing a detailed revenue report that illustrates the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on New Jersey’s finances and laying out plans to close the looming gap for the remainder of the extended fiscal year through a series of deep cuts and spending deferrals. A report on the financial condition of the State budget for both Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021 was required pursuant to the COVID-19 Fiscal Mitigation Act (P.L.2020, c.19), which extended the end of the state’s fiscal year from the traditional date of June 30 to September 30, and also extended various tax filing and payment deadlines from April 15 to July 15.

Based on a wide variety of economic assumptions, the State of New Jersey is potentially facing a combined revenue shortfall of nearly $10 billion over the remaining months of Fiscal Year 2020 and through the end of Fiscal Year 2021 – a potential decline that would be worse than the Great Recession. The report provided the most detailed account to date of the significant shortfalls expected among the major tax revenues. Based on the size of the looming shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, the report notes that without new resources – including the ability to access borrowing facilities or additional federal funding – significant additional cuts will be needed for FY 2021.

The full copy of the budget report released today may be viewed online at https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/omb/publications/NJ-Financial-Condition.pdf

05/22/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that New Jersey recently launched the PPE Supplier Registry to connect suppliers of personal protective equipment (PPE) that can prevent the spread of COVID-19 with potential buyers. Wholesale vendors with PPE inventory such as surgical or other protective masks, hospital gowns, hand sanitizer, or COVID-19 test kits can submit details on supplies they have available and hospitals, medical organizations, and private businesses can purchase. The registry is a joint effort by the Office of Governor Murphy, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Office of Innovation, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) Office of Economic Transformation. 

To date, more than 1,000 businesses have registered on the database, providing more than 2,500 products. The database is updated several times per week, and is easily filtered and sorted by product type, size, payment terms, location of supplier, and several other criteria. Suppliers who wish to be included in the Registry should fill out the PPE Supplier Registry intake form. 

Please note that the information about the vendors and products in this PPE Supplier Registry database is provided by the vendors and compiled by the State for the express purpose of assisting private businesses and organizations in New Jersey access potential suppliers for PPE and other COVID-related goods and services. Any other use of this information is prohibited. All parties are strongly advised to exercise due diligence when selecting vendors and are responsible for ensuring the quality and regulatory compliance of all good/services purchased. Please ensure you are following your organization’s policies and practices concerning vendor capability and responsibility to ensure that you are making a safe purchase.

05/22/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that a total of $68.8 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds will be available to New Jersey’s public colleges and universities to help institutions continue providing high-quality educational services to students amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) will make this funding available through emergency assistance grants to institutions based on an OSHE-developed allocation formula that considers – among other things – institutional expenses incurred as a result of the pandemic. GEER funds may be used to cover the costs of expenditures incurred on or after March 13, 2020, when a national emergency was declared. More information about how and when institutions can apply will be forthcoming. For more information about the GEER funds, please visit OSHE’s fact sheet and the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

05/22/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the state Departments of Health, Agriculture, and Labor and Workforce Development have issued guidance on working conditions as well as testing/treatment procedures to assist agricultural businesses and farm workers in minimizing the risk and potential exposure to COVID-19. The nature of agricultural work puts thousands of seasonal farm workers (both transient and non-transient) in close proximity with co-workers, and they also rely on employer-provided group transportation and camp-style housing. The full guidance can be found at: https://nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID_MigrantFarmWorkerGuidance_5.20.2020.pdf

05/21/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority, following the guidance of the state, is advises families of residents with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and those under cautionary quarantine to take extra precautions when disposing of household trash. According to NJ Department of Environmental Protection recommendations, trash from these households should be double bagged using regular trash bags, properly closed, and tightly tied to avoid leakage. Bags should be placed in rigid trash disposal containers while outdoors prior to pickup to avoid human or animal contact with the refuse. These measures are designed for the safety of residents and disposal crews.

MUA Solid Waste Coordinator James Deacon also urged institutions, such as health care facilities and hospitals, to also be guided by NJDEP’s COVID-19 waste management rules. Red medical waste bags or biohazard bags generated by institutions and/or county residents must not be disposed of in curbside trash cans that are collected by municipal waste haulers. Only licensed medical waste contractors are allowed to collect and dispose of filled red medical waste bags. “The MCMUA’s garbage transfer station inspectors have seen an uptick in the number of red medical waste bags coming to us through regular trash disposal,” said Deacon. “When these bags show up at the transfer stations, the facilities must be shut down to guarantee the safety of employees and to ensure that regulated medical waste is not being improperly disposed.”

In addition, county residents are asked to refrain from traveling to the county’s two garbage transfer stations located in Mt. Olive and Parsippany during the COVID-19 crisis. Because of social distancing requirements, it is difficult for the scale masters to safely interact with residents who show up at the transfer stations. Unless it is essential that the household trash be disposed of immediately, residents should utilize curbside pickup by their waste hauler or wait until towns are again collecting bulky waste collections.

For information about proper disposal of medical waste, household garbage, or details about municipal recycling, go to www.MCMUA.com for details.

05/21/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that The Morris County COVID-19 drive-thru testing center located at County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 25, and will resume normal hours again on Tuesday, May 26.

05/21/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that New Jerseyans enrolled in the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be able to use their benefits to order groceries online starting next week.  Online shopping will be available through Amazon and participating Walmarts, ShopRites and The Fresh Grocers. NJ SNAP recipients will be able to use their benefits card to order groceries from Amazon starting on May 27. Walmarts, ShopRites and The Fresh Grocers that that provide online shopping will also accept online ordering with SNAP benefits starting on May 28.

Recipients will be able to use their Families First Electronic Benefits Transfer card to purchase eligible groceries from the participating retailers. Under federal rules, SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for delivery fees. To learn more, recipients can visit Amazon.com/SNAP to register their EBT card. Visit here to learn about Walmart’s SNAP online program.  Any Walmart, ShopRite or The Fresh Grocer that currently provides online shopping will also accept online ordering with SNAP benefits.

"For those New Jersey families who may have difficulty getting to the grocery store - and that may be for a variety of different reasons -- using SNAP benefits online can make the basics of feeding yourself or your family a little less complicated,” said Human Services Assistant Commissioner Natasha Johnson, who directs the Division of Family Development that oversees NJ SNAP. "We continue to urge residents to visit njhelps.org to learn more and apply for food assistance and other benefits."

05/20/20: Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center has announced that they are resuming certain NJ Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED) programs. After pausing their program for several weeks, they are now offering limited breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings for women only. Please call 973-971-5952 for more information.

05/20/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that the county’s annual 4-H Fair is cancelled this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 4-H is a member of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, which governs all 4-H programs throughout the state. All of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s in-person programs have been suspended through Aug. 31. 

05/20/20: Morris County issued a press release announcing that a Morris County Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Task Force, led by state Sen. Anthony and Bruce Groves, CEO of Emilcott & Associates, has released a new report and business industry risk scorecard regarding the current public health crisis.

05/20/20: Governor Murphy and Quest Diagnostics issued a press release announcing that seven Walmart stores across New Jersey will open COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites beginning on May 22. The testing sites, which are supported by state and local officials, Walmart, and Quest Diagnostics, will test adults who meet Centers for Disease Control and state and local criteria on who should be tested, including first responders, health care providers, and others with symptoms of COVID-19, and those in high-risk groups without symptoms.  

COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites will open Friday, May 22, in the parking lots of Garfield, North Bergen, Kearny, Flemington, Burlington, Howell, and Mount Laurel Walmart stores located at:

• 174 Passaic St, Garfield, NJ 07026
• 2100 88th St, North Bergen, NJ 07047
• 150 Harrison Ave, Kearny, NJ 07032
• 152 NJ-31 N, Flemington, NJ 08822
• 2106 Mt Holly Rd, Burlington Township, NJ 08016
• 4900 U.S. Hwy #9, Howell Township, NJ 07731
• 934 NJ-73, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054

Details regarding the testing sites:

• The sites are open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays weekly from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., weather permitting.
• NOTE: The sites will be closed for Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, but will open Tuesday, May 26, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and resume its regular schedule on Wednesday.
• Testing is for adults who meet CDC and state and local guidelines on who should be tested, including first responders, health care providers, and others with symptoms of COVID-19, and those in high-risk groups without symptoms.
• Individuals must be 18 years and older.
• The testing sites will require an appointment through Quest’s MyQuestTM online portal and app, www.MyQuestCOVIDTest.com, which will screen and schedule appointments for those individuals that meet medical eligibility for the testing sites.
• Once on site, those being tested will need to wear a mask and stay in their cars for verification of eligibility criteria, ID check, and self-administered test. For the safety of all those on-site, the test site is not available to those who walk up. 
• The sites will use a self-administered nasal swab test that will allow those being tested to swab their own nose onsite while in their vehicles, observed by a trained medical volunteer to ensure the sample is taken correctly, and drop the sealed sample into a container on their way out of the drive-thru site.
• Quest Diagnostics will handle processing test samples and communicating results to those tested and applicable departments of health.
• Any questions regarding testing and appointments, please call Quest’s dedicated COVID-19 line at 866-448-7719, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.
• The sites will be staffed by Walmart pharmacists and associates.  
• While individuals who are tested are awaiting results, please follow CDC guidelines and take steps to help prevent the virus from spreading to people in your home and community.

For everyone’s safety and for the privacy of those being tested, media should not attempt to enter the testing site.  Please note, testing is not available inside Walmart stores.

05/20/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Administrative Order 2020-013 authorizing in-person sales to resume at car dealerships, motorcycle dealerships, boat dealerships, and bike shops, by appointment only and with social distancing measures in place. Dealerships and bike shops who resume in-person sales must abide by the social distancing, safety, and sanitization requirements that are described in detail in the Administrative Order. The Order states that businesses may permit customers to test drive vehicles, boats, or bicycles sold or leased by the business, provided that the individual is given access to the vehicle alone, or in the case of a boat, with an employee of the business but only when social distancing can be maintained, and the business appropriately cleans and sanitizes the vehicle, boat, or bicycle after such test drive if the customer does not purchase the item. The Order will take effect at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20.

05/19/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 147, which allows certain outdoor activities at recreational businesses, including archery ranges, batting cages, golf driving ranges, horseback riding, shooting ranges, and tennis clubs as well as community gardens to open with required social distancing measures in place. The Order takes effect on Friday, May 22 at 6:00 a.m.

Outdoor Recreational Businesses: To limit physical interactions, the Order requires outdoor recreational businesses that reopen to limit capacity to 10 people at one time and implement reasonable restrictions that include:

• Using electronic or telephone reservation and payment systems;
• Prohibiting impermissible gatherings;
• Installing physical barriers between employees and customers;
• Limiting the use of equipment to one person;
• Implementing social distancing measures in commonly used areas, including demarcation and signage;
• Infection control and hygiene practices;
• Providing sanitization materials to employees;
• Frequent sanitization of high-touch areas; and
• Limiting occupancy of restrooms.

Community Gardens: Governor Murphy’s Executive Order permits community gardens to reopen so long as they comply with the same restrictions implemented at parks under Executive Order 133.

All-Terrain Vehicle and Dirt Bike Rental Businesses: The Order allows all-terrain vehicle and dirt bike rental businesses to reopen to the public for “curb-side” pickup. Such businesses must comply with the same restrictions required for non-essential retail businesses.

Golf Courses: The Order relaxes four of the restrictions on golf courses, allowing them to expand tee-times to four players, allow the use of forecaddies, offer club and equipment rentals, and reopen restrooms with disinfecting and hygiene protocols in place.

The Order also recommends, but does not order, that people wear a face covering while in public settings at outdoor recreational businesses and community gardens when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. The order further clarifies that amusements parks and arcades, and other places of public amusement located at these businesses remain closed, including places of public amusement that are located at a place otherwise authorized to be open by any executive order issued after March 21, 2020, such as a boardwalk.

05/18/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing a multi-stage approach to execute a responsible and strategic economic restart to put New Jersey on the road back to recovery from COVID-19. The multi-stage blueprint, guided by the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission and complementary Advisory Councils, plans for a methodical and strategic reopening of businesses and activities based on level of disease transmission risk and essential classification. 

Governor Murphy’s approach includes the following stages:

MAXIMUM RESTRICTIONS

Maximum restrictions with most individuals staying at home and activity limited to essential tasks.

 Permitted activities and businesses include:

• Emergency health care
• Essential construction
• Manufacturing
• Essential retail, including grocery stores and pharmacies

STAGE 1

 Restrictions relaxed on low-risk activities if appropriately safeguarded. New Jersey is currently in this stage.

 Phased-in businesses may include:

• Non-essential, but easiest to safeguard, work activities at physical locations if they meet safeguarding and modification guidelines. For example, non-essential construction with protections.
• Some non-essential retail may open with significant modifications. For example, curbside pickup.
• All workers who can work from home continue to work from home even if their industry is reopening. For example, an office manager for a construction company.

Phased-in activities include State and county parks, non-essential construction, curbside retail, drive-in activities, beaches, and elective surgeries.  

STAGE 2

 Restrictions are relaxed on additional activities that can be easily safeguarded.

 Phased-in businesses may include:

• More work activities are allowed at physical locations only if they adhere to safeguarding and modification guidelines. For example, work activities to be phased-in over the course of Stage 2 may include expanded retail, safeguarded restaurants with outdoor seating, limited personal care, and possibly indoor dining, museums, and libraries, all with significantly reduced capacity.
• All workers who can work from home continue to work from home. For example, a buying manager for restaurants.
• Some personal care services may be provided on a limited basis. 

STAGE 3

 Restrictions are relaxed on most activities with significant safeguarding.

 Phased-in businesses include:

• More work activities, including in-person meetings, are allowed at physical locations only if they can adhere to safeguarding guidelines and modifications. For example, work activities to be phased-in over the course of Stage 3 may include expanded dining, critical in-office work, limited entertainment, expanded personal care, and bars with limited capacity.
• All workers who can work from home continue to work from home. For example, accounting office workers.
• Personal care services may be provided on a more extended basis.

Precautions that apply across all stages include:

• Work that can be done from home should continue to be done from home.
• Clinically high-risk individuals who can stay at home should continue to do so.
• All residents and businesses should follow state and federal safeguarding guidelines:
• 
  
  • Wash hands
  • Wear masks in public
  • Respect social distancing
  • Minimize gatherings
  • Disinfect workplace and businesses
  • Minimize gatherings 
  • No mass gatherings

New Jersey will move toward subsequent stages based on data that demonstrates improvements in public health and the capacity to safeguard the public, including:

• Sustained improvements in public health indicators, including new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, individuals in intensive care, and ventilator use.
• Substantial increase in testing and contact tracing capacity.
• Sufficient resilience in New Jersey’s health care system to include adequate bed capacity, ventilators, personal protective equipment, and workforce.
• Widespread safeguarding of workplaces.
• Widespread safeguarding and capacity of child care, schools, and transit.
• Continued public compliance.

If public health indicators, safeguarding, or compliance worsen on a sustained basis, New Jersey will be prepared to move back to more restrictive stages as well.

For a one-page summary of Governor Murphy’s multi-stage approach to restart New Jersey’s economy, click here.

05/17/20: As the Montville Township Municipal Building remains closed to the public, the monthly Montville Township Board of Health meeting for May will be via telephone conference call on Monday, May 18, 2020 at 7:30 pm. The public can participate in the meeting by calling 1-978-990-5183. There will be a prompt for an Access Code, which is 6213820, followed by #. 

05/16/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 146, which allows charter fishing services and for-hire vessel activities, as well as watercraft rental businesses, to open with required social distancing measures. These businesses can open on Sunday, May 17 at 6 am. 

Charter fishing services and for-hire vessels will be allowed to reopen to the public so long as they adopt policies that include:

• reduced capacity to no more than 10 people on a vessel at any one time;
• electronic or telephone reservation and payment systems;
• no make-up or open boat trips;
• social distancing measures on the vessels and in waiting and boarding areas, including demarcation and signage;
• prohibiting sharing of fishing equipment, bait, and gear;
• limiting the use of nets or gaffs to the crew;
• infection control and hygiene practices;
• providing sanitization materials to passengers and crew;
• frequent sanitization of vessel and high-touch areas;
• The crew and passengers must wear a mask while aboard the vessel;
• prohibiting food and beverage service; and
• briefing all passengers prior to embarking on social distancing, capacity limits, and hygiene requirements.

Watercraft rental businesses will be allowed to reopen so long as they adopt policies consistent with the “curb-side pickup” restrictions that apply to retail establishments pursuant to Executive Order No. 142. 

05/16/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 145, which allows elective surgeries and invasive procedures, both medical and dental, to resume on Tuesday, May 26 at 5:00 a.m. These procedures will resume according to policies that will be issued by the New Jersey Department of Health and the Division of Consumer Affairs by Monday, May 18. This order rescinds the suspension of all elective surgeries and invasive procedures performed on adults, which was instituted beginning on March 27 under Executive Order 109 to preserve essential equipment and health care system capacity to respond to COVID-19.

Among the directives, Executive Order 145 requires that the Department of Health issue policies by Monday, May 18 that will address how elective surgeries and invasive procedures may proceed in health care facilities.  These policies will address relevant considerations, such as the following:

• Which types of facilities can resume these procedures;
  
  
• Which specific facilities are eligible to resume these procedures, based upon their current or potential capacity;
  
  
• Whether facilities will be required to prioritize certain procedures, and if so, what considerations should guide these decisions;
  
  
• Personal Protective Equipment requirements for facilities that resume these procedures;
  
  
• Staffing requirements for facilities that resume these procedures;
  
  
• Whether facilities should cohort COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients;
  
  
• Requirements for patients seeking these procedures to undergo testing, self-quarantine, or other preventive measures, as applicable;
  
  
• Policies surrounding visitors;
  
  
• Policies surrounding discharge of patients after the procedures are completed; and
  
  
• Reporting metrics regarding the resumption of these procedures.

Also, by Monday, May 18, the Division of Consumer Affairs will issue policies addressing similar considerations for how elective surgeries and invasive procedures may proceed in outpatient settings that are not licensed by the Department of Health. 

05/15/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 144, which create a modified vote-by-mail election for the July 7th Primary. The order requires that each county’s elections officials send vote-by-mail ballots to all registered Democratic and Republican voters and send VBM ballot applications to unaffiliated and inactive voters. All VBM ballots and VBM ballot applications will come with pre-paid postage. The order also requires opening a minimum of at least one polling place in each municipality, and provided that there are enough poll workers, a minimum of 50 percent of polling places in each county to provide New Jersey voters who may need access to in-person voting opportunities. Polling locations will be required to follow public health standards including ensuring six feet of distance, requiring poll workers to wear face coverings and gloves, frequent sanitization of high-touch areas, and providing sanitization materials to all individuals at a polling place.  

05/15/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he had signed into law S-2356/A-3946 to provide relief for students enrolled in various state higher education financial aid programs, and address the unique circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The law directs the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) to exclude the Spring 2020 semester from a student’s total lifetime eligibility limits for all state financial aid programs if a student is unable to finish the semester due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, students who withdrew or reduced credits during this time will not have to repay the state financial aid amounts that the student would have had to return under previous law.

05/15/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that he had signed the following bills into law:

A-3942/S-2394 – Today, Governor Phil Murphy signed the following bills into law:

A-3942/S-2394 - Requires hospital to permit individual to accompany woman during childbirth.

A-3969/S-2392 - Allows extension of certain local government timeframes; allows local governments to accept certain payments; allows local governments to conduct certain meetings remotely; adjusts certain property tax distribution and notice requirements.

S-2344/A-3970 - Requires Medicaid and health insurance coverage for certain refills of prescription drugs during state of emergency.

05/14/20: Governor Murphy today signed Executive Order 143, which allows beaches, boardwalks, lakes, and lakeshores to remain open with social distancing measures in place. The Order takes effect on Friday, May 22.

Under the Executive Order, the following shall remain closed on private and public beaches, boardwalks, lakes, and lakeshores: water fountains, picnic areas, playgrounds, pavilions, indoor recreational facilities, and other buildings and facilities, such as visitor centers. There is an exception allowing bathrooms, showering areas, and changing areas to stay open.

To limit physical interactions, the Order requires municipalities, lake commissions, private club associations or entities, and other local government to implement reasonable restrictions, including:

• Imposing non-discriminatory capacity restrictions;
• Requiring that members of the public practice social distancing;
• Developing and implementing lifeguard training and beach operation plans that address COVID-19 considerations;
• Removing, taping-off or otherwise blocking all benches and tables;
• Prohibiting the tying together of boats to prevent group gatherings;
• Developing and implementing a continuous public outreach campaign, including signage, social media, town and county websites, mobile device applications, radio, and banner-plane advertising;
• Prohibiting special events such as festivals, concerts, fireworks, and movies;
• Prohibiting all organized or contact activities or sports;
• Limit occupancy in public restrooms; and
• Implementing sanitization protocols.

The restrictions also apply to public piers, docks, wharfs, boat ramps, and boat landings throughout the State. Municipalities, counties, any responsible commission, association, or unit of county or local government, and private beach clubs may impose additional restrictions to the ones listed above and retain the legal authority to close beaches or boardwalks if they choose to do so.

Due to the diverse nature of the shore and lake communities, the Order does not mandate specific social distancing measures. Examples of social distancing measures left to a municipality’s discretion include but are not limited to the following:

• Demarcating six feet of spacing in any areas where the public may form a line;
• Limiting the number of lifeguards to each stand or tower, maintaining social distance between lifeguards, and adding stands or towers as necessary;
• Installing physical barriers between the public and employees in ticket or beach badge sale booths; and
• Limiting occupancy of ticket or beach badge sales booth to one person at a time.

• The Order explicitly prohibits capacity limitations that discriminate against non-residents, low-income people, and other protected classes.

  The Order also recommends, but does not order, that people wear a face covering while in public settings at the beaches, lakes and lakeshores when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

  The Order further clarifies that restaurants and bars located on the beaches, boardwalks, lakes and lakeshores are still limited to delivery and take-out services only and that amusements parks and arcades, and other places of public amusement located on the beaches, boardwalks, lakes, and lakeshores remain closed. Any outdoor seating, such as tables or benches, must be removed, taped off, or otherwise blocked.

  To be consistent with the restrictions established in the Order, swimming in designated areas and picnicking will now be allowed at State Parks and Forests, as well as county and municipal parks. Additionally, this Order reopens restrooms in parks, while requiring frequent sanitization measures, effective Saturday, May 16

05/13/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing Executive Order 142, which permits the resumption of non-essential construction, curbside pickup at non-essential retail businesses, and car gatherings for the purpose of drive-through and drive-in events. The construction and non-essential retail provisions will take effect at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18, while the car gatherings provision will take effect immediately. 

Non-Essential Construction: The Order permits non-essential construction projects to resume effective at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18. All construction projects must abide by the social distancing, safety, and sanitization requirements that are described in detail in the Governor’s Executive Order.

Curbside Pickup at Non-Essential Retail Businesses: The Order also permits non-essential retail businesses to allow curbside pickup of goods, beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18, but businesses must continue to have their in-store operations closed to customers.  Businesses who choose to offer curbside pickup must abide by the requirements in the Order, which include but are not limited to the following:

• In-store operations should be limited to those employees who are responsible for the operations required for curbside pickup;
• Customer transactions should be handled in advance by phone, email, facsimile or other means that avoid person-to-person contact;
• Customers shall notify the retailer by text message, email, or phone once they arrive, or make best efforts to schedule their arrival time in advance.  The customer should be asked to remain in their vehicle, if arriving by car, until store staff delivers the purchase;
• Designated employees should bring goods outside of the retail establishment and place goods directly in a customer’s vehicle when possible, avoiding person-to-person contact; and
• Such businesses must follow social distancing and mitigation practices outlined in previous orders, including requiring workers to wear cloth face coverings when in contact with other workers or customers and gloves when in contact with goods or customers. 

Car Gatherings:  The Order states that car gatherings do not violate the Governor’s ban on gatherings under Executive Order No. 107.  Examples of such car gatherings include but are not limited to drive-in movies, religious services, or drive-through farms or safaris.  Car gatherings will be subject to the restrictions in the Order, which include but are not limited to the following:

• Attendees must remain in their same car throughout the gathering, unless 1) an occupant needs to get out of the vehicle for their health or safety or 2) an occupant needs to use the restroom;
• The vehicle must remain closed at all times unless 1) there is six feet of distance between other vehicles or individuals or 2) an officer, public official or guard requires the vehicle to open. There is a further exception allowing the opening of the vehicle if necessary for health or safety;
• Individuals organizing the gathering who are not in vehicles must follow social distancing and wear cloth face coverings; and
• To the degree that a gathering requires pre-payment, or seeks donations of any kind, contactless options for pre-payment or donation, such as online or by telephone, must be offered wherever feasible.

Retail businesses operating in shopping malls are permitted to operate by curbside pickup, in accordance with the other requirements of this paragraph, but staff must bring the goods to customers at the exterior of the mall.  The indoor portions of shopping malls must remain closed, as required by the Governor’s previous orders.

05/12/20: Morris County issued a press release  in which Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi advising county residents who are concerned about going to the polls due to the COVID-19 pandemic to consider utilizing the vote-by-mail ballot in the upcoming 2020 New Jersey primary election. Grossi said her office is awaiting direction from Governor Murphy concerning specifics on the manner in which the Primary Election will be conducted. To apply for a vote-by-mail ballot, visit the County Clerk’s website and download an application or call 973-285-6066 to have an application mailed to you in English or Spanish.

05/12/20: NJ Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli today signed Executive Directive 20-012, which issues a Standing Order for individuals currently residing in New Jersey to receive COVID testing, which eliminates the need for a prescription to obtain the test. Executive Directive 20-012 also details in relation to the Executive Directive who can collect and submit specimens for testing, who is authorized to receive the results of those tests, and reporting requirements for those test results.  

05/12/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that to limit exposure and reduce the spread of COVID-19, Heath Commissioner Judith Persichilli today signed Executive Directive 20-013, which requires all long-term care facilities in the state to:

• Implement testing of all staff and residents for COVID-19 by May 26.
• Re-test individuals who test negative within 3-7 days to detect those with newly developed infection, and further retesting in according with CDC guidance.
• Amend their current outbreak plans to include plans for testing and retesting staff and residents, cohorting (separating into similar groupings) of residents who test positive, policies for excluding staff who test positive as well and time-frames and requirements for returning to work in accordance with CDC and Department of Health recommendations.

Executive Directive 20-013 applies to licensed nursing homes, assisted living facilities, dementia care homes, residential health care facilities and comprehensive personal care homes.

05/12/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing a comprehensive strategy to expand testing capacity and implement a robust contact tracing program for New Jersey. 

TESTING - A flexible testing plan that is accessible to all residents who need it is a critical piece of restarting New Jersey’s economy. New Jersey will implement the following strategies to expand capacity and access to testing:

• Capacity - New Jersey will double its testing capacity and increase to at least 20,000 tests per day by the end of May. This capacity will be built out moving forward with a minimum of 25,000 tests completed per day by the end of June. Currently, there are 135 public and privately-operated specimen collection sites statewide. In addition to the recently announced 11 Rite Aid locations, CVS will have swab-and-send testing capabilities at 50 of their stores across New Jersey by the end of the month.
• Priority - The state will prioritize access to testing for vulnerable populations, including residents in long-term care facilities and developmental centers, individuals in the corrections system, those in homeless shelters, patients in psychiatric hospitals, and seasonal farmworkers. The state testing program will also ensure ready access for frontline health care workers, first responders, and transit workers.
• Community - The statewide testing plan will also utilize mobile testing units to directly serve communities of color, which have been disproportionately ravaged by COVID-19. Testing sites will also open within institutions of faith including churches, synagogues, and mosques.
• Executive Directives - The Department of Health is issuing an Executive Directive that will require long-term care facilities to supplement or amend their current disease outbreak plan to include a COVID-19 testing plan for all staff and patients/residents. The directive requires baseline testing of staff and patients/residents completed by or before May 26, 2020, retesting of individuals who test negative within 3-7 days after baseline testing, and further retesting in accordance with Centers for Disease Control guidance. All long-term care facilities must confirm that they have updates their outbreak prevention plan to meet this directive by May 19.  

The Department of Health is also issuing a standing order permitting testing for COVID-19 without a prescription for New Jersey residents who may have been exposed and meet certain conditions.

CONTACT TRACING - Implementing a robust contact tracing program is a key mechanism to break the chain of transmission and slow community spread for individuals who have come into contact with those infected by COVID-19. New Jersey will implement the following strategies to build a comprehensive contact tracing program:

• Technology - To aid in the contact tracing effort, New Jersey will implement a statewide solution to leverage technological data to increase efficiency and streamline workflow and communication. New Jersey will work with Dimagi to install its digital CommCare platform to create a centralized database with uniform reporting requirements for contact tracing efforts across the state.
• Executive Action - To bolster the efforts of local health departments and ensure that the contact tracing program works seamlessly between all levels of government throughout the state, Governor Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 141 mandating that all local, county, and regional health departments use the CommCare platform to support their contact tracing efforts. The Commissioner of the Department of Health will determine appropriate timing for this requirement. This coordinated regional approach will ensure support, training, oversight, and an accurate and centralized statewide database. The state will bear the cost of this technology platform.
• Partnership - To centralize and expand our efforts, we will build a robust Community Contact Tracing Corps and augment the approximately 800-900 contact tracers on the ground, the state will need at least an additional 1,000 dedicated contact tracers. To jumpstart recruitment efforts, New Jersey will partner with the state’s colleges and universities to employ public health, social work, and related students as frontline workers. The New Jersey Department of Health will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Rutgers School of Public Health to stand up the first tranche of this new contact tracing workforce.
• Workforce - In order to further grow the ranks of contact tracers and create jobs for New Jerseyans, the state will seek to partner with an organization to work as a Contact Tracing Deployment Provider to assist with hiring, on-boarding, and managing contact tracers throughout the state. Interested vendors and organizations can access more information, review the draft Request for Quotes, and submit questions and feedback at https://covid19.nj.gov/CTRFQ. Additionally, individuals interested in becoming contact tracers, may register their interest at covid19.nj.gov/tracers.

05/12/20: The State of New Jersey is seeking persons interested in becoming contact tracers. If you are interested in being notified about contact tracing opportunities, please register at https://covid19.nj.gov/forms/tracer. Contact tracing is a full time commitment given the training requirement and access to various necessary systems. In order to work effectively, contact tracers will be scheduled 7 days a week between 8am-8pm, but not to exceed 35 hours per week. To learn more about contact tracing, you can complete this free training which will be required for all contact tracers. 

05/12/20: Comfort Zone Camp, a nonprofit 501(c)3 bereavement organization with locations throughout the U.S. is hosting two free virtual events in May: a Virtual Bonfire on Saturday, May 16 from 5-6pm and a Virtual Camp for Loss during COVID-19 on Saturday, May 30 from 12 to 2:30.

05/12/20: The Health Department has received several inquiries regarding swimming pools, both public and private, in regards to their use during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Public recreational bathing facilities: (bathing beach, hot tub, spa, swimming pool, wading pool, and aquatic recreation facility open to the public): Executive Order 107 prohibits these facilities from being open to the public. They will not be allowed to open for the summer season until and unless allowed by a directive from the State. We have had no indication at this time of if and when such a directive will be issued. It is highly likely that if and when they are allowed to re-open that there will be additional rules and restrictions in place for these facilities to ensure the safety of their patrons in regards to COVID-19.

Private bathing facilities (any bathing beach, swimming pool, wading pool, hot tub, or spa used only by residents of one or two living units, and their guests): We recommend that owners of private bathing facilities continue to comply with social distancing guidelines, and additionally, to follow the recommendations of the CDC in regards to such facilities. Currently, the CDC is stating: "There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water." CDC cleaning and disinfection recommendations for public recreational bathing facilities can also be consulted for guidance regarding the same at private facilities.

05/11/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the federal government has approved the Department of Human Service’s plan to provide $248 million in special food assistance benefits to nearly 600,000 New Jersey children who normally receive free or reduced-price school meals as part of the response to COVID-19 school closures. Under the plan approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, New Jersey special Pandemic-EBT benefits will be provided to recipients of the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and non-SNAP households with children who normally receive free or reduced-price school meals. The plan will provide each eligible student with $416.10 to help with nutritional support during the time that schools have been closed during the pandemic. No application is necessary to receive this benefit. Human Services is working with schools to identify students who were receiving free or reduced school meals. Eligible students already participating in SNAP will receive the Pandemic-EBT on their household’s existing Families First card. All other Pandemic-EBT eligible households will be mailed a P-EBT card. Human Services expects these benefits to be issued no later than June.

05/11/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing that the State of New Jersey received $31,511,487 from the second round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CARES Act funding allocated by the federal government. Today’s CDBG funding allocation is in addition to the $4 million the State of New Jersey received on April 2, 2020. Both funding rounds are helping the State respond to public health, housing, and economic disruption needs that have arisen as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

05/10/20: Governor Murphy issued a press release announcing two new American Red Cross convalescent plasma collection sites in nort