New Jersey: State-by-State COVID-19 Guidance

NEW JERSEY

Please note: As of April 15, 2021 we are no longer doing regularly scheduled updates to this page.

April 15, 2021:

On April 9, 2021, Governor Murphy signed A-5444 into law, which provides $35 million in federal aid to restaurants throughout the state. The aid will be administered through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

On April 13, 2021, Governor Murphy signed A-5445 into law, which provides $10 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid for child care providers throughout New Jersey. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will open a pre-registration process for the grant money in late April. The Governor also signed into law A-5446, which provides $15 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid for small businesses throughout the state.

On April 15, 2021, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 235 extending the Public Health Emergency for New Jersey for thirty (30) days.

April 8, 2021:

Governor Murphy signed S-3521, which provides $15 million in federal COVID-19 aid for arts and cultural venues throughout New Jersey. The legislation focuses on providing support to arts and cultural organizations in need as a result of the public health emergency.

April 5, 2021:

On April 19, 2021, Governor Murphy announced that all individuals ages 16 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Governor Murphy’s goal is to have all New Jersey adults fully vaccinated by June 30, 2021.

Governor Murphy also announced that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and persons who have clinically recovered from COVID-19 in the past three months and are traveling within the U.S do not need to be tested for COVD-19 or self-quarantine before or after traveling to New Jersey. International travelers, however, must present a negative test result or documentation of recovery to enter the U.S. following air travel.

April 1, 2021:

Governor Murphy signed S-3523, which provides $25 million in federal relief aid for small businesses throughout New Jersey. The focus of the Bill is to provide funding to microbusinesses (business with five or fewer employees).

March 29, 2021:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 234 increasing gathering limits and the capacity for seated events at large venues. In general, outdoor gathering limits will increase to 200 people, and large venues will be allowed to host 20% capacity indoors and 30% capacity outdoors.

Governor Murphy announced the expansion of eligibility for more frontline workers and high-risk individuals in New Jersey’s COVID-19 vaccination program. The newly eligible groups include higher education professors and staff, communications and utility infrastructure workers, individuals ages 55-64, and those with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

March 25, 2021:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 233 requiring banks and credit unions to ensure The American Rescue Plan stimulus payments are not garnished for past debts or overdrawn accounts. Fifty banks and credit unions have joined the agreement, including Bank of America, Citibank, PNC Bank, TD Bank and Wells Fargo. Participating institutions have put in place measures to protect access to stimulus funds regardless of whether a bank account is overdrawn or has a negative balance for a period of at least 30 days.

March 18, 2021:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 231, extending the Public Health Emergency for thirty days. This Executive Order extends all Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Powers Act and any actions taken by Executive Branch departments in response to the Public Health Emergency.

March 11, 2021:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 230 which will increase indoor capacity limits for some business and increase both the general indoor and outdoor gathering limit beginning on March 19, 2021. In addition to indoor dining (previously announced to be increasing from 35% to 50%), indoor recreation, amusement, entertainment, and personal care services will be able to open to 50% capacity. These indoor businesses include casinos, gyms, barber shops, and nail salons. Additionally, the indoor gathering limit is increased to 25 people, and the outdoor gathering limit is increased to 50 people.

March 8, 2021:

Governor Murphy announced the expansion of eligibility for more frontline essential workers and high-risk groups in the state’s COVID-19 vaccination program beginning March 15, 2021. Expanded eligibility includes educators and staff in PreK-12 settings, childcare workers, and transportation workers. On March 29, 2021, other frontline essential workers will be eligible for the vaccination, including those in food production, agriculture, food distribution, hospitality, and members of the clergy.

March 4, 2021:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 229, extending a moratorium preventing residents from having their utilities disconnected through at least June 30, 2021. This moratorium applies to all residential gas, electric, and water utilities, both public and private. The moratorium also applies to cable and telecommunications providers for households that have one or more school-aged children. Additionally, New Jersey utilities will not be permitted to charge late fees or fees to reconnect services that have been disconnected.

On March 3, 2021, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 228 allowing indoor wedding receptions to operate at the lesser of 35% capacity or 150 individuals. For outdoor wedding receptions, up to 150 individuals will be permitted to gather. Face coverings will be still be required, except when people are eating and drinking.

March 1, 2021:

Governor Murphy announced the expansion of eligibility for more frontline essential workers and high-risk groups in New Jersey’s COVID-19 vaccination program. Beginning on March 15, 2021, newly eligible essential workers include educators and PreK-12 staff, childcare workers, transportation workers, and others. Additionally, beginning on March 29, 2021, more essential workers in the following industries will be eligible for vaccination: food production, agriculture and food distribution, eldercare and support, and warehousing and logistics.

Governor Murphy, in conjunction with White House COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force Chair Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, announced the second phase of a community-based vaccination partnership to bring an additional five community-based vaccination sites to Camden, Jersey City, Orange, Newark, and Pleasantville. 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 of New Jersey.

(Newark): Mayor Baraka signed Executive Order MEO-21-0005 implementing guidelines similar to state guidelines, giving residents the ability to resume some prior activities. Some of the new restrictions include:

Indoor sports and entertainment venues will be able to operate at 10% capacity;
Outdoor sports and entertainment capacity will be increased to 15%;
Indoor collegiate athletic, youth, and professional practices and competitions may permit two parents/guardians per athlete with total capacity not to exceed 35%; and
Outdoor collegiate athletic, youth, and professional practices and competitions may permit two parents/guardians per athlete, with social distancing required.

February 24, 2021:

Governor Murphy announced that $29.5 million in federal funding will be available to New Jersey’s institutions of higher education amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These funds will be available through two programs:

The Opportunity Meets Innovation Challenge Grant will give $28.5 million to help develop sustainable system-wide reforms of historically disadvantaged populations.
The Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program will receive $1 million, and it aims to address food insecurity among students enrolled in public institutions.

February 23, 2021:

Governor Murphy delivered his fourth annual budget on February 23, 2021. Part of the budget proposal includes $200 million in relief for small businesses.

February 22, 2021:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 225 increasing the capacity limits for large sports and entertainment venues and religious services. Effective immediately, collegiate sporting events can increase their capacity in compliance with the following:

Up to two parents or guardians per each participating athlete are allowed at indoor or outdoor practices and competitions.
The total number of individuals at an indoor practice or competition cannot exceed 35% of room capacity.
All outdoor events need to accommodate social distancing for all attendees.

Effective March 1, 2020, large sports and entertainment venues can increase capacity in compliance with the following:

Any venue with a capacity of more than 5,000 people can host 10% of their total capacity for indoor venues and 15% for outdoor venues.
The venue must ensure that all attendees remain six feet apart from other attendees, except for individuals who purchased or reserved tickets together.
All attendees will be required to wear masks within the venue, except when eating or drinking.

February 17, 2021:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 222, which extends the Public Health Emergency for thirty days. Executive Order No. 222 also extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Powers Act.

February 16, 2021:

Governor Murphy announced the launch of a community-based vaccination partnership to provide access to the COVID-19 vaccine in underserved communities. The initial phase will include sites in Somerset, Trenton, Elizabeth, Vineland, and Patterson. The goal of this partnership is to vaccinate 15,000 residents by the end of March. These sites will vaccinate only the members of the immediate communities, and appointments will be required.

February 9, 2021:

Governor Murphy announced that 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 permitting recipients to deduct business expenses that were paid with the tax-exempt loan proceeds. As a result, in the 2020 tax season, related expenses paid with PPP loans will be deductible from both Gross Income Tax and Corporate Business Tax.

February 8, 2021:

On February 5, 2021, Governor Murphy signed legislation that will expand opportunities for outdoor dining in New Jersey. 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 businesses. The bill will allow licensed establishments to expand their premises to include outdoor spaces where they can serve alcoholic beverages. The bill also sets forth protocols for municipalities to review and approve outdoor space expansions for restaurants without liquor licenses.

February 4, 2021:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 219 increasing the indoor capacities from 25 to 35 percent for several types of businesses, including food and beverage establishments and entertainment and recreational businesses, beginning on February 5. The Order also lifts the 10:00 p.m. curfew for in-person indoor restaurant service.

February 2, 2021:

Governor Murphy announced that an additional $5 million has been allocated to the Small Business Lease–Emergency Assistance Grant Program. This program allows designated municipalities to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to cover lease costs.

February 1, 2021:

Governor Murphy announced that all six vaccine mega-sites will remain closed on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 due to Winter Storm Orlena. Individual healthcare providers will be reaching out to reschedule cancelled appointments. New Jersey residents can call the Vaccination Call Center at 855-568-0545 to re-register and obtain updated contact information for vaccination sites.

January 20, 2021:

On January 19, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 215 which extends the Public Health Emergency for thirty days. Executive Order No. 215 also extends all Executive Orders issued under the Governor’s authority under the Emergency Powers Act.

Governor Murphy announced two additional categories of New Jersey residents will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Those residents include those ages 65 and older and individuals between the ages of 16-64 with certain medical conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus.

January 19, 2021:

January 12, 2021:

Governor Murphy announced that all sworn law enforcement and fire professionals in the state are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The emergency professionals are the first individuals in Phase 1B to become eligible for vaccination. EMS professionals were already eligible for the vaccine under Phase 1A, as health care workers.

January 11, 2021:

Governor Murphy reminded all New Jerseyans that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available without cost sharing barriers. All providers must vaccinate individuals regardless of whether they have health insurance coverage or what type of coverage they have, and providers are prohibited from balance billing or otherwise charging vaccine recipients.

January 7, 2021:

January 6, 2021:

Governor Murphy has outlined the following guidelines for vaccine distribution in New Jersey:

Vaccinations in New Jersey began in the state’s hospitals for paid and unpaid persons serving in health facilities.
During the last week of December, vaccinations of long-term residents and staff began through the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Program with Walgreens and CVS.
On December 29, Governor Murphy announced that COVID-19 vaccinations are underway for residents and staff of New Jersey’s three veterans memorial homes.
Governor Murphy announced six mega sites throughout New Jersey to allow for vaccinations of front-line healthcare workers and the general public during the first week of January 2021, depending on the supply of vaccines available to New Jersey.

January 4, 2021:

On January 4, Governor Murphy signed A-4182/S-2873 requiring landlords to allow tenants to make rent payments using credit cards during COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Murphy also signed A-4853/S-3011 to reduce businesses unemployment insurance taxes through Fiscal Year 2023. Additionally, the bill permits nonprofit and government employers that elect to make unemployment insurance payments equal to the full amount of benefits paid to individuals attributable to service in the employ of a nonprofit or government employer to reduce their unemployment insurance benefit payments by 50% for the duration of the public health emergency.

Also, on December 30, Governor Murphy and the governors from Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts announced 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.

December 29, 2020:

On December 28, Governor Murphy announced all United customers traveling from London to Newark, NJ will be required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no later than 72 hours prior to departure.

December 21, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 210 extending the Public Health Emergency for another thirty (30) days.

December 7, 2020:

On December 4, Governor Murphy signed legislation expanding eligibility for extending unemployment benefits to claimants who either had been eligible for benefits prior to exhausting those benefits or earned 40 times their unemployment benefits.

On December 5, Governor Murphy and Superintendent of the State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan announced an Administrative Order Clarifying the that indoor entertainment centers where a performance is viewed or given (i.e.: a movie theater, performing arts center or other concert venues) may host a performance in an adjacent outdoor area with a maximum capacity equivalent to the facility’s indoor capacity.

December 1, 2020:

On November 25, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs issued guidance for restaurants and similar establishments on the utilization of outdoor space during the winter months. Any establishment that wants to maintain the use of tents past November 30, 2020 are required to apply for a UCC permit from their local construction office. Additionally, a permit is required for any electrical equipment, electric wiring, or mechanical equipment. For additional guidance about the new outdoor dining guidelines visit here.

Governor Murphy announced New Jersey strongly discourages all non-essential interstate travel. Travelers and residents returning to the state from anywhere outside the immediate region (including New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) should self-quarantine in their home, hotel or other lodging for 14 days.

On December 1, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 204 pausing all indoor practices and competitions for youth and adult sports from December 5, 2020 to January 2, 2021. This restriction doesn’t apply to collegiate and professional sporting activities and private fitness classes, lessons, and trainings at gyms, studios and other locations. All other outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 people. However, this outdoor gatherings restriction doesn’t apply to weddings, funerals, memorial services, religious activities and political activities.

November 23, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 200 extending the Public Health Emergency, originally declared on March 9, 2020, until December 21, 2020. This order extends all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

November 19, 2020:

Governor Murphy, along with the Governors of New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, announced that they encourage all residential colleges and universities across the Northeast to provide testing for all students traveling home for Thanksgiving break. Any student who tests positive will be encouraged to isolate on campus before traveling home for the holiday.

November 17, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 196 lowering the indoor and outdoor gathering limits in the state. The indoor gathering limit will decrease from 25 to 10 people and the outdoor limit will decrease from 500 to 150 people. More specifics about the new limits can be found here.

November 16, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 195 allowing municipalities and counites to impose additional restrictions on the hours of operation of non-essential retail businesses, food and beverage establishments, and recreation and entertainment business after 8:00 p.m. Municipalities and counites will not be able to prohibit dining establishments from arranging for the pickup or delivery of goods or limiting the scope of their operations.

(Newark): Mayor Baraka enacted some new restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19. The restrictions include all non-essential businesses must close at 8:00 p.m. every day. Other restrictions include restaurants, businesses and offices are required to follow mask protocols. Other newly imposed restrictions can be found here.

November 11, 2020:

Governor Murphy announced a commitment of $60 million in additional CARES Act funding to fulfill grants under New Jersey’s Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. The program offers a variety of resources for all sizes of businesses, including grants, zero-interest loans, support for private-sector lenders, and funding for entrepreneurs. This third phase has expanded the eligibility allowing for businesses with fewer than 50 employees, especially restaurants, micro-businesses, and businesses based in the state’s 715 Opportunity Zone-eligible Census tracts.

November 10, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 194 establishing new COVID-19 mitigation measures, including new restrictions on seating and hours for restaurants, bars, clubs, and lounges and the prohibition of indoor K-12 and youth sports. Restaurants, bars, clubs, lounges and casinos are not allowed to operate their indoor premises between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Restaurants and casinos can continue service during this restricted time period with certain limits. All seating at the physical bar and indoor areas of bars and restaurants will be prohibited during the operating hours. To see more of the restrictions visit here.

Governor Murphy announced Maine and New Hampshire will be added to the state’s quarantine advisory for individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19. This quarantine advisory requires individuals to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. 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 November 10, there are currently 45 states and territories that met this criteria: 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.

November 4, 2020:

Governor Murphy announced Washington and Oregon will be added to the state’s quarantine advisory for individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19. This quarantine advisory requires individuals to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. 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 November 4, there were 43 states and territories that met this criteria: 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.

November 2, 2020:

Governor Murphy announced Administrative Order 2020-22 intended to clarify restrictions on professional and college athletic competitions, indoor mall services, self-service food and drink, and private tutoring facilities. This order clarifies that athletes, coaches, referees, trainers, and other individuals necessary for a professional or collegiate sporting events are not to be included in the number of individuals present at those gatherings, for the purposes of the limits on gatherings. Further, this order allows vending machines and stroller rentals to operate at malls, prohibits self-service food at retail business, including grocery stores, and opens private tutoring facilities. More specifics about these clarifying rules can be found here.

October 28, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed an executive order requiring mandatory health and safety standards to protect all New Jersey’s workers at work during the pandemic. These standards are for both public and private sector employers. Starting on November 5, all employers must 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. Some other requirements include providing sanitization materials and providing employees with break time to practice hand hygiene. To see the other required protocols, see the Governor’s press release.

October 27, 2020:

Governor Murphy announced an update to his quarantine advisory for individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19. This quarantine advisory requires individuals to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes California and Massachusetts. 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.

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.

October 21, 2020:

Governor Murphy announced $14 million in additional CARES Act funding for workforce development programs. The money is intended to help jobless residents learn new skills that lead to reemployment and replenish business workforces from losses due to COVID-19. The $14 million will be divided into three specific areas to get workers on the job, including: (1) paying workers to perform temporary jobs related to the state’s recovery, (2) covering 50% of the training of a new employee, and (3) expanding the career support services provided through the State.

October 15, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 189 on October 15, which extends the 2019 Corporate Business Tax calendar year returns deadline to November 16, 2020. The previous extension for the Corporate Business Tax returns expired on October 15.

Governor Murphy also announced an extension of the moratorium preventing New Jersey residents from having their utilities disconnected through at least March 15, 2021. The utility companies are not allowed to collect any late fees from residential customers. This moratorium applies to all residential gas, electric, and water utilities and requires all residential services that were disconnected after March 16, 2020 to be reconnected. Additionally, the Governor announced $15 million to assisting low income households in paying off utility bills.

Executive Order No. 190 also extended the Internet disconnection moratorium to November 15, 2020. This order prohibits cable and telecommunications providers from disconnecting Internet services in households that have one or more school-age children using the Internet for educational purposes. Additionally, late fees on residential utility and Internet customers are prohibited.

October 13, 2020:

Governor Murphy updated his quarantine advisory for individuals traveling to New Jersey from states or territories with significant community spread of COVID-19. This quarantine advisory requires individuals to quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or territory. The updated advisory includes three additional states: Ohio, Michigan, and Virginia. 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.

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.

Additionally, Governor Murphy and other state leaders announced $100 million in additional CARES Act funding to support New Jersey businesses affected by COVID-19. Most of the additional relief, $80 million, will go to help businesses, including restaurants, microbusinesses, and other small businesses. This phase of the program will expand eligibility to businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees and increase the amount of funding businesses can receive. Funding is also available for small business to receive discounts on purchases Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Finally, On October 12, 2020, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 187 allowing organized contact sports to resume holding practices and competitions in indoor settings. This order includes the following sports: hockey, basketball, cheerleading, group dance, rugby, boxing, judo, karate, taekwondo, and wrestling. The practices and competitions are limited to 25% capacity of the room, and there cannot be more than 150 people present.

October 12, 2020:

On September 25, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 186, again extending the Public Health Emergency he previously declared in Executive Order No. 103. Through this extension, all Executive Orders adopted based on the Public Health Emergency that would have expired remain in full force and effect. Additionally, all actions taken by any Executive Branch departments and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak remain in full force and effect. The Order does not provide an end date to the declaration of the Public Health Emergency.

September 23, 2020:

Governor Murphy 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 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.

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.

September 15, 2020:

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.

September 8, 2020:

Governor Murphy and State Police Superintendent Colonel Callahan today announced Administrative Order 2020-21, 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.

Governor Murphy also 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 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.

September 1, 2020:

Governor Phil Murphy today 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 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.

Governor Murphy also signed Executive Order No. 183, which establishes rules for the resumption of indoor dining on Friday, September 4 at 6:00 a.m., provided businesses comply with the health and safety standards issued by the Department of Health. 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. The Governor’s Executive Order includes requirements for theaters and indoor performance venues to reopen to the public on Friday, September 4, which include:

Any particular showing is limited to 25 percent capacity with a maximum of 150 people;
Groups that buy tickets together can sit together, but must be at least 6 feet apart from all other groups; and
Individuals must wear masks, unless they are removing them to eat or drink concessions.

August 26, 2020:

Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 179 to make modifications to this year’s primarily vote-by-mail (VBM) General Election. The order clarifies Executive Order No. 177. Effective immediately, Executive Order No. 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.

August 18, 2020:

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy added Delaware and Alaska to the list of states under New Jersey’s Quarantine Advisory bringing the total to 35 states and territories. Under the advisory, people travelling to New Jersey from Delaware and Alaska must quarantine for 14 days.

August 17, 2020:

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 178 extending existing Executive Orders which give the Commissioner of the Department of Banking and Insurance more time (between 30 days and 6 months) to approve or deny applications, amendments, and certifications filed with the Department of Banking and Insurance. The order also extends the deadline for higher education institutions to submit plans to expand the use of open textbooks and commercial learning materials by 6 months.

August 13, 2020:

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 175 which supersedes previous executive orders closing public and private preschools, elementary schools, and high schools and allows those schools to re-open for the 2020-2021 school year.

August 11, 2020:

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy added Hawaii, South Dakota and the Virgin Islands to the state’s travel advisory which requires travelers from those states and territories to quarantine for 14 days. Governor Murphy removed restrictions on travelers from Alaska, New Mexico, Ohio, and Rhode Island.

August 4, 2020:

Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 173 which rescinded Paragraph 1 of Executive Order No. 156 and limits indoor gatherings to 25% capacity of the room in which the event takes place. Regardless of the room’s capacity, the limit shall never be larger than 25 persons or smaller than 10 persons. Governor Phil Murphy also expanded New Jersey’s quarantine advisory to individuals traveling to the state from Rhode Island.

August 3, 2020:

Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 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. Governor Murphy also signed Executive Order No. 171. The Order 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, and July 2. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed. Executive Order No. 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.

July 28, 2020:

Governor Phil Murphy expanded New Jersey’s quarantine advisory to individuals traveling to the state from the District of Columbia, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Puerto Rico.

July 21, 2020:

Governor Tom Murphy today 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 10 additional states – Alaska, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Virginia, and Washington – with Minnesota removed from the list.

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.

Governor Murphy also signed Executive Order No. 168, allowing 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 No. 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.

July 14, 2020:

Governor Murphy 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

Further, on July 14, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 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.

Additionally, 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.

July 13, 2020:

On Thursday, July 9, Governor Phil Murphy announced that he will direct money from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, established under the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to support New Jersey food banks, which have been providing families with food assistance at unprecedented rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The total CARES Act funding amount will be $20 million, with $10 million distributed before August 2020 and an additional $10 million available before December 2020.

July 9, 2020:

On July 9, Governor Phil Murphy announced that he will direct money from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, established under the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to support New Jersey food banks, which have been providing families with food assistance at unprecedented rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The total CARES Act funding amount will be $20 million, with $10 million distributed before August 2020 and an additional $10 million available before December 2020.

July 7, 2020:

On July 7, Governor Murphy advised that 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 three additional states, Delaware, Kansas, and Oklahoma, bringing the total to 19 states. 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.

June 30, 2020:

On Tuesday, June 30, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 158, temporarily pausing 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.

Governor Murphy further advised individuals traveling to New Jersey from eight 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, 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.

Finally, 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.

June 29, 2020:

On June 29, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 157, which implements the re-openings announced earlier. These re-openings will take effect on Thursday, July 2. Specifically, the Order contains several requirements for indoor dining, which can resume on July 2 but will be limited to 25% capacity and will require patrons 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 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. Further, dance floors at any business must be closed or cordoned off.

Gyms and fitness centers can, offer individualized indoor instruction by appointment only. 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.

On June 29, Governor Phil Murphy also signed legislation (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 relief to restaurants across New Jersey that have faced fees while being limited to takeout and delivery service, and prohibits third party takeout and delivery service applications from charging fees greater than 20 percent of the cost of the individual order, or greater than 10 percent where the order is delivered by an employee of the restaurant or an independent contractor. This remains in effect through the first day of the third month that follows the expiration of a state of emergency where dine-in capacity is restricted to less than 25% capacity.

Finally, Governor Phil Murphy and Department of Education Commissioner Lamont O. Repollet also 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.

June 24, 2020:

Governor Phil Murphy, along with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced a joint incoming travel advisory that all individuals traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID-19 quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state.

This quarantine – effective midnight June 24 – 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. Currently, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Utah, and Texas meet that threshold.

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.

June 23, 2020:

Governor Phil Murphy today announced, in Executive Order No. 156, increased 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 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. 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.

June 10, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed two executive orders, No. 152 and No. 153 on June 9, 2020.

Under Executive Order No. 152, effective immediately, indoor gatherings are limited to 25 percent of the capacity of the room, or 10 people, whichever is greater. But, regardless of the room's capacity, shall never exceed 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.

Under Executive Order No. 153, outdoor swimming pools can open effective at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 22, provided that they comply with standards and policies that will be issued by the 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 of the Order.

Paragraph 2 of Executive Order No. 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.

June 9, 2020:

New Jersey’s State Health Department issued COVID-19 Guidelines for summer youth camps, following Governor Murphy’s issuance of Executive Order No. 149 allowing the resumption of childcare services, youth camps, and organized sports. 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.

June 5, 2020:

On Thursday, June 4, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 151 to extend the Public Health Emergency he previously declared in Executive Order No. 103. Through the extension, all Executive Orders adopted based on the Public Health Emergency that would have expired remain in full force and effect.

June 4, 2020:

On Wednesday, June 3, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 150, which continues the phased reopening of New Jersey’s businesses. The Order allows for restaurants, cafeterias, and other dining establishments to offer in-person service at outdoor areas beginning 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15. The Order provides safety requirements to which the dining establishments must adhere including limiting capacity and spacing tables six feet apart in all directions.

The Order also allows the brick-and-mortar premises of non-essential retail businesses closed under Executive Order No. 107 to reopen to the public beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15 provided the businesses follow the precautionary requirements applied to essential retail businesses in Executive Order No. 122.

June 1, 2020:

On Saturday, May 30, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 149, which over the coming weeks will allow for the resumption of child care services, youth day camps, and organized sports. Order No. 149 dictates that Executive Order No. 110, which required most child care centers to close, will be rescinded at 6:00 a.m. on June 15, 2020. The Department of Health will provide standards for COVID-19 related health and safety applicable in new jersey child care and youth summer camp settings.

Youth summer camps will be permitted to operate beginning Monday, July 6, 2020, provided that they comply with the Department of Health’s standards and other applicable statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders. Youth camp operators must submit an application for certificate of approval or renewal by June 15, 2020. Residential and overnight camps will continue to be prohibited from operating.

The Order also rescinds Executive Order No. 148’s prohibition on organized and contact sports effective June 22, 2020 “insofar as it applies to sporting activities in outdoor settings that do not involve person-to-person contact or routinely entail individuals interacting within six feet of one another.”

May 26, 2020:

On Friday, May 22, Governor Murphy announced he would be signing an executive order modifying the limit on outdoor gatherings from ten people to twenty-five people.

May 19, 2020:

On Monday, May 18, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 147, which allows for the reopening or resuming of some outdoor recreational businesses and activities. Under the Order, archery ranges, golf driving ranges, shooting ranges, batting cages, tennis clubs, and horseback riding activities will be allowed to restart effective 6:00 a.m. Friday, May 22. The Order requires businesses that resume these activities to take precautionary steps like installing physical barriers where feasible and performing frequent sanitization.

May 18, 2020:

On Friday, May 15, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 145, which ends the general suspension of elective surgeries and invasive procedures on Tuesday, May 26th. In place of the general suspension that Executive Order No. 109 had created, the Department of Health will now issue policies to regulate aspects like which facilities can resume procedures and whether facilities must prioritize certain procedures ahead of others.

On Saturday, May 16, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 146 allowing for the reopening of charter fishing and watercraft rental businesses with mandates and restrictions in place like the wearing of face coverings.

May 15, 2020:

On Thursday, May 14, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 143, which will allow for beaches, boardwalks, lakes, and lakeshores to open with social distancing measures and other limitations in place beginning on Friday, May 22.

May 13, 2020:

On Wednesday, May 13, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 142, which begins to loosen some restrictions previously put in place. The Order allows for gatherings in vehicles provided that attendees remain in the vehicle in which they arrive and the vehicle remains completely closed when it is within six feet of any other vehicle or individual. That provision allowing for gatherings in vehicles took immediate effect.

Beginning 6:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18, the Order allows for the physical operation of all construction projects to resume subject to a list of precautions. For example, non-essential visitors must be prohibited, lunch breaks must be staggered, and workers must wear face coverings. Beginning at that same time, non-essential retail businesses will be permitted to reopen to the public for curbside pickup only. Customers may not enter the premises of the businesses.

May 8, 2020:

Governor Murphy on Friday, May 7 signed Executive Order No. 140. The Order creates the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Advisory Council, which will provide guidance to the Governor on the reopening and recovery of New Jersey’s economy, taking into account the unique facets of the state’s economy and society.

May 6, 2020:

Governor Murphy on Wednesday, May 6 signed Executive Order No. 138, which again extends the Public Health Emergency in New Jersey. Under New Jersey’s Emergency Health Powers Act, a Public Health Emergency will expire after thirty days unless renewed. The Public Health Emergency Governor Wolf previously renewed on April 7, 2020 through Executive Order No. 119 was set to expire after tomorrow.

April 30, 2020:

On Wednesday, April 29, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 133, which opened to the public most areas of state parks and forests for passive recreational activities where social distancing may be maintained like fishing, hiking, and running. County parks also will open to the public unless a county had closed the park prior to its ordered closure by the state. Counties and municipalities may impose additional restrictions at their parks.

The order also allows golf courses to reopen to the public. Courses must adopt policies, though, that limit physical interaction like requiring payments and reservations to take place electronically or telephonically and stagger tee times by at least sixteen minutes. The order does not allow miniature golf courses, driving ranges, and other places of public amusement to open.

The order takes effect beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2020 and will remain in effect until revoked or modified by the Governor.

April 28, 2020:

On Tuesday, April 28, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 131 to establish the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission. The advisory Commission will provide guidance to Governor Murphy on reopening the economy “in a way that is consistent with the State’s public health efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

April 26, 2020:

On Friday, April 24, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 128, which is aimed at “providing critical short-term support for renters.” The Order provides that, upon a written request, a tenant’s security deposit must be applied to or credited towards rent payments due or to become due from the tenant during the state’s Public Health Emergency or up to sixty days after the Public Health Emergency ends.

If a tenant elects to apply a security deposit to rent, the landlord may recoup from the tenant any monies the landlord expended that would have been reimbursable by the security deposit at the time that such reimbursement from the deposit would have taken place. The tenant will not otherwise be obligated to make any further security deposit relating to the lease.

In an interview on Sunday, April 26, Governor Murphy emphasized that the stay at home order in New Jersey remained in effect and that he had not decided whether the state would take a regional approach to reopening.

April 14, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 126 on Monday, April 13. The order, which went into effect immediately, prohibits cable and telecommunications providers that provide residential internet and voice services to New Jersey residents from terminating internet and voice service due to nonpayment. The order also requires telecommunications providers to reconnect customers’ services that were disconnected due to nonpayment after March 16, 2020, including where the disconnection was for unpaid bills incurred prior to March 16, 2020. The order is set to remain in effect until 30 days following the end of the Public Health Emergency.

On Tuesday, April 14, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 127. That order extends the deadlines for notices of rule proposals and the consideration and disposition of petitions for rulemaking. It also extends rules scheduled to expire during the Public Health Emergency or within 90 days thereafter by an additional 90 days after the last day of the Public Health Emergency.

April 13, 2020:

Executive Order No. 125 goes into effect on Monday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m. The order, which Governor Murphy signed on Saturday, April 11, sets additional mitigation requirements for restaurants, cafeterias, dining establishments, and food courts.

April 12, 2020:

On Saturday, April 11, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 125. The order sets additional mitigation requirements for restaurants, cafeterias, dining establishments, and food courts. Among other requirements, these food service entities must limit occupancy to ten percent of the stated maximum capacity and ensure six feet of distance between workers and customers except at the moment of payment or the exchange of goods. The order will take effect on Monday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m. and will continue until revoked or modified by Governor Murphy.

April 10, 2020:

On Thursday, April 9, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 123. The order prohibits property and casualty insurance companies, life insurance companies, insurance premium finance companies, health insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, health service corporations, and other entities issuing health or dental benefits plans from canceling any policy or contract as a result of nonpayment during the emergency extended grace periods established by the order.

April 9, 2020:

On Wednesday, April 8, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 121 and No. 122. Order No. 121 allows for a greater weight limit for some vehicles carrying COVID-19 relief supplies. That order went into effect immediately and will expire July 23, 2020 unless rescinded, superseded, or revised.

Order No. 122 requires essential retail businesses that are allowed to remain open under previous orders to enact numerous policies including limiting occupancy to fifty percent of the store’s maximum occupancy, require infection control practices, and require most workers and customers to wear cloth face coverings while on the premises.

Order No. 122 also dictates that the physical operations of all non-essential construction projects must cease. The order defines “essential construction projects” as fourteen categories, which include projects necessary for the delivery of health care services, transportation projects, and utility projects. The order requires essential construction projects, along with essential manufacturing and warehousing businesses, to adopt numerous safety measures including requiring most to wear cloth face coverings, limiting worksite meetings, and staggering breaks.

Lastly, Order No. 122 requires all essential businesses to immediately separate and send home workers who appear to have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and promptly notify workers of any known exposure to COVID-19 at the worksite. Order No. 122 will take effect on Friday, April 10 at 8:00 p.m. and shall remain in effect until revoked or modified by Governor Murphy.

April 8, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 120 on Wednesday April 8. The order postpones the state’s federal and state primary elections from June 2, 2020 to July 7, 2020.

April 7, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 119 on Tuesday April 4. The order extends the Public Health Emergency declared in Executive Order No. 103, stating that the public health crisis continues to exist. Order No. 119 also notes that all executive orders adopted under Governor Murphy’s authority under the Emergency Health Powers Act to respond to the Public Health Emergency remain in full force and effect. The Order does not provide an end date to the declaration of the Public Health Emergency.

April 3, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 112 on Wednesday, April 1. The order temporarily authorizes the Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs (“DCA”) to reactivate the license of any healthcare professional previously licensed to practice in New Jersey who retired from active practice within the last five years. It also authorizes DCA to issue licenses to any physician licensed and in good standing in another country. The order also relaxes restrictions and reduces requirements of advanced practice nurses and physician assistants.

The order makes those granted a temporary license under the order and those advanced practice nurses or physician assistants that act outside the scope of their ordinary practice immune from civil liability for any damages alleged to have been sustained as a result of their acts or omissions undertaken in good faith, in the course of providing healthcare services in support of the state’s COVID-19 response, whether or not such immunity is otherwise available under current law.

The order grants further immunity to any site designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Health for temporary use for the purpose of providing essential services in support of the state’s COVID-19 response, like hotels. Such facilities will be immune from civil liability for any damages alleged to have been sustained as a result of an act or omission undertaken in good faith in the course of providing services in support of the state’s COVID-19 response, to the extent that its existing liability insurance coverage does not provide coverage or an applicable limit is exceeded. The immunity likewise applies to a site’s agents or employees but does not extend to acts or omissions that constitute a crime, actual fraud, actual malice, gross negligence, or willful misconduct.

The immunity provisions of the order apply to acts or omissions occurring at any time during the State of Emergency or Public Health Emergency, including those that occurred prior to the order’s issuance. The order will remain in effect for the duration of the State of Emergency or Public Health emergency, whichever is longer.

March 30, 2020:

Saturday, March 28, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 111. The order requires that, starting March 29, 2020, all health care facilities, including licensed acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospital systems, and emergency field facilities, must report their capacity and supplies on a daily basis by 10:00 a.m. to the Office of Emergency Management (“OEM”).

The order requires OEM to specify what data concerning capacity and supplies, including bed capacity, ventilators, and PPE, must be submitted. It also requires OEM to establish a designated process by which health care facilities can submit the daily information, which it has yet to do. The obligation to report will continue until a contrary order from Governor Murphy.

March 26, 2020:

Yesterday, March 25, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order No. 110, which requires all child care centers to close by April 1, 2020 unless the center is providing emergency child care services for the children of essential persons, like health care workers and law enforcement personnel. All child care centers wishing to provide these services must submit a certification form to the Commissioner of the Department of Child and Families for approval by Friday, March 27, 2020. Frequently asked questions about the order and emergency child care centers can be found here. The order will remain in effect until revoked or modified by Governor Murphy.

March 24, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 109 late on March 23rd. The order indefinitely suspends both medical and dental elective surgeries and invasive procedures on adults. The suspension takes effect at 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 27, 2020 but requires medical facilities to notify all effected patients immediately.

The order also requires business that are in possession of personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, respirators, or anesthesia machines that are not required for the provision of critical health care services to undertake an inventory of supplies and submit the information to the Office of Emergency Management no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 27, 2020.

At the state’s daily briefing on March 23rd, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal noted that violating Governor Murphy’s orders, like the order above or the executive order requiring non-essential brick-and-mortar stores to close, is a criminal offense. Attorney General Grewal vowed to hold businesses and individuals violating orders accountable.

March 21, 2020:

Governor Murphy signed an indefinite Executive Order No. 107. Under the order, the brick-and-mortar premises of all non-essential retail businesses must close to the public. Essential retail businesses are excluded from this directive and may remain open during their normal business hours.

The order lists fifteen types of essential businesses, which include grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, financial institutions, liquor stores, hardware stores, and mail and delivery stores. Any essential business that remains open to the public must practice social distancing to the extent practicable while providing essential services and frequently use sanitizing products on common surfaces. Businesses that do not qualify under the Order as essential may submit a request to the State Director of Emergency Management, who is the Superintendent of State Police.

Governor Murphy also signed Executive Order No. 108. That Order invalidates any county or municipal restriction that will or might conflict with any of the provisions of Executive Order No. 107. It allows counties or municipalities to impose additional restrictions only on online marketplaces for arranging or offering lodging and on municipal or county parks.

New Jersey: State-by-State COVID-19 Guidance

NEW JERSEY

For more information on this state's COVID-19 rules: