COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey
A statewide curfew began on March 16, and all casinos, gyms, and movie theaters were closed; restaurants and bars were only allowed to remain open for delivery and takeout.
On March 21, as the number of COVID-19 cases in the state surpassed 1,000, Governor Murphy announced a statewide stay-at-home order, requiring that all non-essential businesses be closed indefinitely by 9 p.m. that day.
[15] A second death was reported on March 14 in Monmouth County: 56-year-old Rita Fusco-Jackson of Freehold died of the virus the prior evening after being treated at CentraState Medical Center.
[18] On March 16, New Jersey officials reported 80 new positive cases of the coronavirus, bringing the cumulative total to 178 for the state, with three deaths.
[20] On March 18, Governor Murphy announced that 160 more positive tests for the coronavirus had occurred, bringing New Jersey's total to 427.
Health officials provided the racial breakdown of the deaths as: 61% White, 22% Black, 6% Asian, less than 1% Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander, and 11% still under investigation.
Of the coronavirus deaths in the state, the breakdown was: 58% male and 42% female; 45% over 80 years old, 33% between 65 and 79, 17% between 50 and 64, 4% between 30 and 49, and 1% under 30; 64% White including 17% Latino, 20% Black, 6% Asian, and less than 1% Pacific Islander.
He noted that the state's 4,070 deaths from COVID-19 over the previous six weeks was more than those "lost in past three flu seasons in their entirety combined.
[73] On May 29, Murphy announced that the COVID-19 short term rental assistance program will provide at least $100 million in housing relief for families in need.
Gyms and fitness centers could reopen outdoor spaces and offer limited individualized indoor instruction by appointment only.
On July 6, modified outdoor graduation ceremonies were allowed and youth day camps and summer programs could operate.
On July 7, Kansas and Oklahoma were added to the list, now of 19 states, residents of which were advised to quarantine for 14 days when traveling to New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.
[87] The Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center dataset recorded 16,175 confirmed plus presumed deaths for a cumulative case fatality rate of 7.55%.
Three others were arrested on December 27 for allegedly selling alcohol without a permit inside a hookah lounge that hosted over 50 people in Paterson.
[24][23][25] Governor Murphy announced a statewide stay-at-home order that all non-essential businesses in the state would be closed indefinitely by 9 p.m. on the 21st.
[48] To help reduce the spread of the virus, Murphy signed an executive order on April 8 requiring all employees and shoppers at open businesses to wear face coverings.
He cut NJ Transit trains and buses to 50% capacity and required employees and riders to wear face coverings.
[105] On May 14, Murphy signed an executive order to reopen all public and private beaches under social distancing guidelines on May 22.
[109] On May 19, Murphy issued an administrative order to allow in-person sales to resume on May 20 at 6:00 a.m., including automobile and motorcycle dealerships and bicycle shops.
In addition, the indoor gathering limit for house parties and social events was increased from 25 people to 50 people, capacity limits for catered events, funerals, performances, and political activities was increased to a maximum of 250 people as long as social distancing can be maintained, indoor sporting events and concerts were allowed to operate at 30% capacity, and capacity limits would be removed for outdoor gatherings while still requiring social distancing.
[127] On July 12, 2021, Murphy announced that New Jersey residents with a valid email address or phone number on-file with New Jersey Immunization Information System (NJIIS) could access a digital replacement copy of their COVID-19 immunization record using the Docket app in partnership with New York-based Docket Health, Inc.[128] On July 28, 2021, Murphy recommended that all people wear masks in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, due to a rise in cases caused by the more transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant.
Governor Murphy said he thought New Jersey would need to double its daily tests and include asymptomatic people before reopening its economy.
[62] In July, it was reported that some farmers in South Jersey refused to allow testing for seasonal farm workers who had been hired from high-risk states like Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.
Unlike long-term care facilities farmers were not required to comply with the initiative, although a bill was proposed to make it non-optional.
[136] All covered workers in the following settings are currently required to be fully vaccinated or subject to COVID-19 testing at minimum one to two times per week: Health care facilities and high-risk congregate settings, child care facilities, preschool through grade 12 schools, state agencies, authorities, colleges, and universities.
Unemployment claims in New Jersey increased 20% for the week ending March 14 compared to the same period the previous year.
[36] The economy was affected negatively by the coronavirus, and the state prepared for a drop in tax revenue by putting $900 million into reserve in late March.
A hotline was set up for New Jersey workers to report employers for making them go to work despite the emergency declaration, but it got so many calls that it crashed the system.
According to the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development, nearly 577,000 New Jersey workers filed for unemployment benefits over the previous three weeks.
[138] By April 23, or five weeks since aggressive social distancing began, more than 858,000 New Jersey workers had filed for unemployment benefits.
