city of passaic division of health3c98596c...2020/07/09 · effective 6:00 a.m. on june 15, 2020,...
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For Immediate Release
July 9, 2020, 1:00pm
* Please note that information highlighted in yellow reflects new and updated information. *
(Updated pg. 1 and pg. 4)
The City of Passaic Division of Health understands that residents are concerned about the Coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic. For this reason, we are continuously informing our community. As of today,
City of Passaic has five (5) additional cases, taking us to a total of three thousand three hundred
thirty three (3333) confirmed cases of COVID-19 and two hundred sixteen (216) deaths. Our
heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the families, friends, and loved ones of our community
members. The Division of Health has been working diligently under the guidance of the New Jersey
Department of Health (NJDOH) to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and have been in constant
communication with Mayor Hector C. Lora, and all pertinent community partners.
GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY ANNOUNCEMENTS/ADVISORIES
Tuesday, July 7, 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 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.
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, click here
Monday, July 6, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy announced that Governor Brief’s will be held on a
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 1pm schedule, unless otherwise necessary
On Friday, June 26, 2020 Governor Phil Murphy and Department of Education Commissioner
Lamont O. Repollet 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
Mayor Hector C. Lora
City of Passaic
Division of Health 330 Passaic St.
Passaic, NJ 07055 Phone: 973-365-5603
Fax: 973-365-2242
Email: [email protected]
John E. Biegel, III, MA
Health Officer
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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.
For more information regarding this announcement, see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200626b.shtml
On Friday, June 26, 2020, the Motor Vehicle Commission announced today that most in-person
transactions scheduled to start on June 29 will be delayed until July 7, while the text notification system
undergoes final testing. For more information regarding this announcement, see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200626a.shtml
On Wednesday, June 24, 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New York Governor Andrew
M. 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 will become effective midnight, June 24, 2020, and 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.
For more information regarding this announcement, see link, https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200624a.shtml
Also on June 24, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy announced Museums, Aquariums, Indoor recreation
facilities, including indoor bowling alleys, batting cages, shooting ranges, libraries and the arcades along
boardwalks will reopen on July 2, 2020 at 25% capacity. For more information, click here.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy announced that on July 2, 2020 outdoor amusement
parks, outdoor water parks, and playgrounds will reopen. This includes the rides on boardwalks. Specific
guidance is currently being finalized and will be forthcoming. For more information, click here.
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Thursday, June 18, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy announced that on June 29, 2020 indoor portions
of retail shopping malls will reopen. Masks will be required to be worn, all stores limited to 50%
capacity, restaurants may provide take-out or outdoor dining, food course seating and common seating
areas will remain closed, and theaters and arcades will remain closed. For more information, please
see link, https://www.facebook.com/governorphilmurphy/photos/a.1409364109189605/2880397038752964/?typ
e=3&theater
On Friday, June 5 2020, Governor Phil Murphy and Chief Administrator Sue Fulton of the New
Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) announced that on June 15, 2020, in person customer
services would restart at Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), with a variety of pick-up and drop-off
services.
On June 29, 2020, MVC aims to be able to offer behind the wheel road tests, and issue licenses and
permits. For more information, please see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200605c.shtml.
Tuesday May 26, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy announced 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.
Requirements for commencement ceremonies will include: o Must take place on or after July 6, 2020;
o Must take place outdoors or be drive-in/drive-through (no indoor ceremonies will be
allowed);
o 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);
o Districts and institutions must determine the minimum number of staff and faculty
necessary to facilitate commencement ceremonies and adjust attendance requirements
accordingly;
o 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.
o 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.
o 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
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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.
For more information, follow link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200526b.shtml
GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY SIGNED THE FOLLOWING ADMINISTRATIVE,
LEGISLATION & EXECUTIVE ORDERS:
Wednesday, July 8, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 163, which requires
individuals to wear face coverings in outdoor public spaces when it is not practicable to socially distance
or 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 because 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. For more information on Executive Order No. 163, see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200708a.shtml
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Thursday, July 2, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 162. 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, 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. For more information on
Executive Order No. 162, see link, https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200702c.shtml
Thursday, July 2, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy announced an increased outdoor gathering capacity
limit as COVID-19 cases in New Jersey continue to decline. Effective at 6 a.m. on Friday, July 3rd,
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. For more information on
Executive Order No. 161, see link, https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200702b.shtml
Thursday, July 2, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy ordered 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. For more information on
Executive Order No. 160, see link, https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200702a.shtml
Tuesday, June 30, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 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, are included in the accompanying Appendix to the Order. The Order will take effect
immediately. For more information on Executive Order No. 159, see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200630e.shtml
Monday, June 29, 2020, 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. The
Order notes that there is an exception for health and safety, such as an individual briefly removing their
mask to drink water. In light of the Executive Order, the Department of Health issued an updated
Executive Directive for food and beverage establishments, which will be continue to be restricted to in-
person service at outdoor areas only.
For More information on Executive Order No. 158, see link, https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200629f.shtml
For more information on Executive Directive, click here
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Friday, June 26, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 157, which implements
the reopening’s 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 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 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, 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 Department of Health issued an updated Executive Directive 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
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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. Additionally, 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 Division of Consumer Affairs and the Department of
Health.
In the coming days, the Department of Health will issue standards and protocols for both indoor pools
and outdoor amusement and water parks. The 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.
For more information on Executive Order 157, see link, https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200626e.shtml or
https://www.nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-157.pdf
For more information of Department of Health’s Executive Directive on outdoor and indoor
dining, see link, https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/docs/Dining_Guidance.pdf
On Friday, June 26, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy 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 much needed
relief to restaurants across New Jersey that have faced excessive fees while being limited to takeout and
delivery service. For more information regarding this announcement, see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200626d.shtml
Monday, June 22, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 156, increasing indoor
and outdoor gathering capacity limits 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.
Furthermore, the Executive 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.
For more information on Executive Order 156, see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200622a.shtml
On Friday, June 19, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy and Commissioner of Health Judith M.
Persichlli announced that 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-- under a directive to
long-term care facilities issued today by the state Department of Health.
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.
The directive applies to:
Dementia Care Homes,
Long-term Care Facilities,
Pediatric Transitional Care Homes,
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Assisted Living Residences and Programs, and
Comprehensive Personal Care Homes.
Only two (2) 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.
For more information regarding announcement see link, https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200619f.shtml
For information on Executive Directive No. 20-017 see link, https://nj.gov/health/legal/covid19/6-19-
20_ExecutiveDirectiveNo20-017_StandardsProtocolsVisitorsFacilityStaff.pdf
Thursday, June 18, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 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. For more
information on Executive Order 155, see link, https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200618a.shtml
Also on June 18, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy and Superintendent of the State Police Colonel
Patrick Callahan announced an Administrative Order, 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, 2020.
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 No. 122. Restaurants within the
interior of a retail shopping mall are restricted to offering takeout and delivery services, except that they
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may also provide in-person service at outdoor areas outside the shopping mall pursuant to Executive
Order No. 150.
Retail kiosks located within malls may operate subject to the applicable requirements contained in
Executive Order No. 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.
For more information on the Administrative Order, please see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200618d.shtml
Saturday, June 14, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 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:
Cosmetology shops.
Barber shops.
Beauty salons.
Hair braiding shops.
Nail salons.
Electrology facilities.
Spas, including day spas and medical spas, at which solely elective
and cosmetic medical procedures are performed.
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Massage parlors.
Tanning salons
Tattoo parlors.
The Division of Consumer Affairs today issued an Administrative Order 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:
Limiting services to appointment-only.
Performing health screening, including temperature checks, on clients and staff prior to
entry to the facility.
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.
Ensuring that all staff-client pairs maintain at least six feet distance between other staff-
client pairs, unless separated by physical barriers.
Adopting enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices.
Staying informed about new developments and guidance related to COVID-19.
The Order further directs the Commissioner of the DOH 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.
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
2) are provided in a manner that substantially complies with standards issued by the Division
of Consumer Affairs and DOH.
DOH issued an Executive Directive today that includes comprehensive health and safety standards for
these locations.
Cosmetology schools or other places that provide instruction and training for personal care services shall
remain closed at this time.
For more information on Executive Order 154, please see link, https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200613c.shtml
Tuesday, June 9, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed executive orders No. 152 & No. 153, raising
limits on outdoor and indoor gatherings, opening pools effective June 22 and additional outdoor
recreational businesses effective immediately.
Under Executive Order No. 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 or more than 50 people.
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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 the Order 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 No. 153:
Outdoor swimming pools can open effective at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 22, provided that it
complies 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 Paragraph 1 of this Order, including sanitizing all equipment before and after
each use.
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. For more information, please see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200609a.shtml
Friday, June 5, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 151, further extending
the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103,
extended on April 7, 2020 through Executive Order No. 119, and extended again on May 6,
2020 through Executive Order No. 138. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public
health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.
Executive Order No. 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
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and agencies in response to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak.
For more information on Executive Order 151, please see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200604a.shtml
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 150, permitting
outdoor dining starting on Monday, June 15th, with an accompanying Executive Directive from the New
Jersey Department of Health 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.
Executive Order No. 150 allows outdoor dining at food or beverage establishments in New Jersey
starting on Monday, June 15th. Establishments will be required to follow a number of COVID-19 health
and safety protocols issued by the Department of Health, including a limit of eight customers per table,
and requirements of at least six feet of distance between parties. 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 15th 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. For more information on Executive Order 150 please see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200603e.shtml
Saturday, May 30, 2020 Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 149, allowing the
resumption of childcare services, youth day camps, and organized sports. This Order rescinds the
emergency childcare program under Executive Order No. 110 as of June 15, and permits childcare
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
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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, childcare centers and other childcare 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 childcare 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.
For more information on Executive Order 149 please see link, https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200530b.shtml
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Thursday, May 28, 2020 Governor Phil Murphy 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. See link:
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200528b.shtml
Friday, May 22, 2020 Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 148, increasing the limit
on outdoor gatherings from 10 to 25 people and allowing 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.
Charter Boats and Recreational Businesses: The Order rescinds the 10-person capacity limit on
charter boats and recreational businesses opened under Executive Order No. 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
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prepare a phased-in reopening plan for all campgrounds located on State Parks and Forests within
fifteen days.
For more information on Executive Order No. 148, please see: https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-148.pdf
Monday, May 18, 2020 Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 147, allowing 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 No. 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 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.
For more information on Executive Order No. 147, please see: https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200518c.shtml
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Saturday, May 16, 2020, Executive Order No. 146, 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.
For more information on Executive Order No. 146, please see:
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200516b.shtml
On Friday, May 15, 2020, signed legislation (S2356/A3946) 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. This legislation 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.
For more information on this legislation, please see: https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200515e.shtml
(UPDATED BELOW) On Friday, May 15, 2020, Executive Order No. 145 allows elective surgeries
and invasive procedures, both medical and dental, to resume on Tuesday, May 26 at 5:00 a.m. 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 No. 109 to preserve essential
equipment and health care system capacity to respond to COVID-19.
(UPDATE) On Monday, May 18, 2020, the Department of Health issued guidelines on the conditions
for hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers to begin resuming elective surgeries.
To view the guidance for hospitals please visit:
https://nj.gov/health/legal/covid19/5-19-2020_HospitalGuidance_forResumingElectives.pdf
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To view guidance for ambulatory surgery centers please visit:
https://nj.gov/health/legal/covid19/5-19-2020_ASCGuidance_forResumingElectives.pdf
The above address how elective surgeries and invasive procedures may proceed in health care facilities
and 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.
For more information on Executive Order No. 145, please see: https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200515i.shtml
Friday, May 15, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 143, allowing beaches,
boardwalks, lakes, and lakeshores to remain open with social distancing measures in place. The Order
takes effect on Friday, May 22.
Under Governor Murphy’s 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;
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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. 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. Additionally, this Order reopens restrooms in parks, while
requiring frequent sanitization measures, effective Saturday, May 16.
For more information regarding Executive Order No. 143, see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200514b.shtml
Tuesday, May 12, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 142, permitting 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
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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. For more information about Executive Order 142, see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200513a.shtml
Friday, May 1, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 135, suspending in-person
requirements for receipt of a marriage license and marriage ceremonies, and for the receipt of working
papers for minors. Under the executive order:
Individuals may use videoconferencing technology for the licensing process and the marriage
ceremony.
The 72-hour waiting period between the license application and issuance is suspended, the period
that a license is valid for is extended from 30 to 90 days, and fees imposed for the issuance of a
second marriage or civil union license if the original has expired have been waived.
Minors seeking to certify their working papers with a school designated official will be permitted
to do so through videoconference. Individual school districts will craft procedures that satisfy the
statutory requirements without requiring in-person contact.
Both in-person marriage licensing and ceremonies and in-person certification of working papers
are permitted to continue, subject to social distancing, where offices are open, and officials are
available to oversee the processes.
For more information about Executive Order 135, see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200501d.shtml
Wednesday, April 29, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 133, allowing State
parks and forests to open to the public for passive recreation, including fishing, hunting, boating,
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canoeing, hiking, walking, running or jogging, biking, birding, and horseback riding.
Picnic areas, playgrounds, exercise stations and equipment, chartered watercraft services and rentals,
swimming, pavilions, restrooms, and other buildings and facilities, such as visitor centers, interpretive
centers, and interior historical sites, shall remain closed at this time.
To limit physical interaction, the State parks and forests must implement reasonable restrictions
that include:
Limiting parking to 50% of maximum capacity and prohibiting parking in undesignated areas;
Prohibiting picnics.
Requiring social distancing to be practiced except with immediate family members, caretakers,
household members, or romantic partners; and
Banning organized or contact activities or sports, and gatherings of any kind.
The order also recommends that people wear a cloth face covering while in public settings at the
parks and forests where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
For more information about Executive Order 133, see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200429c.shtml
Tuesday, April 28, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 130, allowing towns
to extend the grace period for property tax payments due on May 1st to June 1st, which will enable
homeowners to pay their taxes a month after they are due without incurring any interest costs or
penalties. The order will take effect immediately. For more information, see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200428a.shtml
Friday, April 24 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 128 authorizing
landlords upon receiving written request from a tenant, including electronic communication, to apply the
security deposit governed by the provisions of N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 and apply it to or credit towards rent
payments due or to become due from the tenant during the Public Health Emergency established in
Executive Order No. 103 (2020) or up to 60 days after the Public Health Emergency terminates.
For more information, visit: https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200424c.shtml
Thursday, April 16, 2020 Governor Phil Murphy announced that public schools will remain closed
through at least Friday, May 15, 2020. The decision was made in careful consultation with New Jersey
Department of Health and New Jersey Department of Education, among other key stakeholders.
The Governor continues to arrange assistance for those affected by COVID-19, today, April 13, 2020
he signed Executive Order No. 126 prohibiting cable and telecommunications providers from
terminating Internet and voice service due to nonpayment until 30 days after the current public health
emergency has ended. The order also mandates that all service downgrades, service reductions, or late
fees due to nonpayment are prohibited unless they are imposed in accordance with a policy approved by
the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Additionally, any Internet or voice service that was
disconnected after March 16 due to nonpayment must be reconnected.
For more information regarding Executive Order No. 126, see link, https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200413b.shtml.
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Governor Phil Murphy also announced his intention to sign into law a bill extending New Jersey’s
income and corporate tax filing deadline to July 15. The bill received final passage in the Legislature
today and will be signed by the Governor tomorrow. For more information, see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200413c.shtml.
On April 8, 2020 Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 122, ceasing all non-essential
construction projects and imposing additional mitigation requirements on essential retail
businesses and essential industries to limit the spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey. The order also
outlines specific protections and policies for all essential retail, manufacturing, and warehousing
businesses, as well as businesses engaged in essential construction projects. Governor Murphy’s
executive order directs the following:
1. Essential retail businesses that are still permitted to operate under Executive Order No. 107
(2020) must adopt the following policies:
Limit occupancy at 50 percent 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (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.
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 if 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
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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.
2. The physical operations of all non-essential construction projects shall cease at 8:00 p.m. on
Friday, April 10. “Essential construction projects” include the following:
Projects necessary for the delivery of health care services, including but not limited to hospitals,
other health care facilities, and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
Transportation projects, including roads, bridges, and mass transit facilities or physical
infrastructure, including work done at airports or seaports.
Utility projects, including those necessary for energy and electricity production and transmission,
and any decommissioning of facilities used for electricity generation.
Residential projects that are exclusively designated as affordable housing.
Projects involving pre-K-12 schools, including but not limited to projects in Schools
Development Authority districts, and projects involving higher education facilities.
Projects already underway involving individual single-family homes, or an individual apartment
unit where an individual already resides, with a construction crew of 5 or fewer individuals. This
includes additions to single-family homes such as solar panels.
Projects already underway involving a residential unit for which a tenant or buyer has already
entered into a legally binding agreement to occupy the unit by a certain date, and construction is
necessary to ensure the unit’s availability by that date.
Projects involving facilities at which any one or more of the following takes place: the
manufacture, distribution, storage, or servicing of goods or products that are sold by online retail
businesses or essential retail businesses, as defined by Executive Order No. 107 (2020) and
subsequent Administrative Orders adopted pursuant to that Order.
Projects involving data centers or facilities that are critical to a business’s ability to function.
Projects necessary for the delivery of essential social services, including homeless shelters.
Any project necessary to support law enforcement agencies or first responder units in their
response to the COVID-19 emergency.
Any project that is ordered or contracted for by Federal, State, county, or municipal government,
or any project that must be completed to meet a deadline established by the Federal government.
Any work on a non-essential construction project that is required to physically secure the site of
the project, ensure the structural integrity of any buildings on the site, abate any hazards that
would exist on the site if the construction were to remain in its current condition, remediate a
site, or otherwise ensure that the site and any buildings therein are appropriately protected and
safe during the suspension of the project.
Any emergency repairs necessary to ensure the health and safety of residents.
3. Manufacturing businesses, warehousing businesses, and businesses engaged in essential
construction projects must adopt policies that include, at minimum, the following
requirements:
Prohibit non-essential visitors from entering the worksite.
Limit worksite meetings, inductions, and workgroups to groups of fewer than ten individuals.
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Require individuals to maintain six feet or more distance between them wherever possible;
Stagger work start and stop times where practicable to limit the number of individuals entering
and leaving the worksite concurrently.
Stagger lunch breaks and work times where practicable to enable operations to safely continue
while utilizing the least number of individuals possible at the site;
Restrict the number of individuals who can access common areas, such as restrooms and
breakrooms, concurrently.
Require workers and visitors to wear cloth face coverings, in accordance with CDC
recommendations, while on the premises, except where doing so would inhibit the individual’s
health or the individual is under two years of age, and require workers to wear gloves while on
the premises. Businesses must provide, at their expense, such face coverings and gloves for their
employees. If a visitor 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
businesses must decline entry to the individual. Nothing in the stated policy should prevent
workers or visitors 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 businesses 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 the premises due to a medical
condition that inhibits such usage, neither the business nor its staff shall require the individual to
produce medical documentation verifying the stated condition.
Require infection control practices, such as regular hand washing, coughing and sneezing
etiquette, and proper tissue usage and disposal.
Limit sharing of tools, equipment, and machinery.
Provide sanitization materials, such as hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, to workers and
visitors; and
Require frequent sanitization of high-touch areas like restrooms, breakrooms, equipment, and
machinery.
4. All essential retail businesses, warehousing businesses, manufacturing businesses, and
businesses performing essential construction projects must also adopt policies that include, at
minimum, the following requirements:
Immediately separate and send home workers who appear to have symptoms consistent with
COVID-19 illness upon arrival at work or who become sick during the day; and
Promptly notify workers of any known exposure to COVID-19 at the worksite, consistent with
the confidentiality requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and any other applicable
laws;
Clean and disinfect the worksite in accordance with CDC guidelines when a worker at the site
has been diagnosed with COVID-19 illness;
Continue to follow guidelines and directives issued by the New Jersey Department of Health, the
CDC and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, as applicable, for maintaining a
clean, safe and healthy work environment.
5. Where a business is authorized to maintain in-person operations, owners of buildings used for
commercial, industrial or other enterprises, including but not limited to facilities for
warehousing, manufacturing, commercial offices, airports, grocery stores, universities,
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colleges, government, hotels, and residential buildings with at least 50 units, shall adopt
policies that, at minimum, implement the following cleaning protocols in areas where
operations are conducted:
Clean and disinfect high-touch areas routinely in accordance with CDC guidelines, particularly
in spaces that are accessible to staff, customers, tenants, or other individuals, and ensure cleaning
procedures following a known or potential exposure in a facility are in compliance with CDC
recommendations;
Otherwise maintain cleaning procedures in all other areas of the facility; and
Ensure that the facility has a sufficient number of workers to perform the above protocols
effectively and in a manner that ensures the safety of occupants, visitors, and workers.
The order will take effect on Friday, April 10, at 8:00 p.m. For more information regarding
Executive Order No. 122, see link,
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200408e.shtml
Tuesday, April 7, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 118 closing all state
parks and forests and county parks to further social distancing measures. Under Executive Order 108
(2020), municipalities still have the authority to keep municipal parks open or closed. The order shall
take effect on Tuesday, April 7, at 8:00 p.m.
Also, the Governor signed Executive Order No. 119 which extends the Public Health Emergency
declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act,
a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed. Executive Order 119 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.
A copy of the press releases and Executive Order may be found here in the following links:
Executive order 118: https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200407d.shtml
Executive order 119: https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200407e.shtml
As of Friday, April 3, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends
wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to
maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). The CDC advises the use of simple cloth face coverings
to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from
transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from
common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.
Cloth face coverings should: fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, be secured with ties
or ear loops, include multiple layers of fabric, allow for breathing without restriction, be able to be
laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.
The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical
supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as
recommended by current CDC guidance.
For more information on cloth face masks, please visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/DIY-cloth-face-covering-instructions.pdf.
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Additionally, Wednesday, April 1, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 112,
authorizing the Division of Consumer Affairs to temporarily reactivate the licenses of recently retired
health care professionals and grant temporary licenses to doctors licensed in foreign countries. The
executive order also temporarily permits certain health care professionals to perform acts outside of their
ordinary scope of practice and grants broad civil immunity to health care professionals and facilities
providing services in support of New Jersey’s COVID-19 response efforts who are acting in good faith.
A copy of the press release and Executive Order may be found here:
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200401b.shtml
As of Tuesday, March 31, 2020, Governor Murphy shared the Department of Labor’s announcement
which states residents who are eligible for unemployment will receive an additional $600 per week
through July 31st because of the federal relief bills last week. This money should arrive starting next
week for those already collecting unemployment. Individuals who recently filed will experience a
slightly longer processing time. A copy of the press release and more details on the assistance available
may be found here:
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200331b.shtml
On Saturday, March 28, 2020, Governor Murphy announced that financial assistance programs are
available for those affected by COVID-19. A copy of the press release and more details on the assistance
available may be found here:
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200328e.shtml
As of Thursday, March 26, 2020, Governor Murphy announced that schools will remain closed and the
situation will be re-assessed on April 17, 2020. He also signed Executive Order 110 which directs all
child care centers to certify that they will serve as emergency child care for the children of essential
workers by March 27, 2020. Those who do not certify as emergency child care centers must close by
April 1, 2020 and remain closed through the school closure period. Child care centers include entities
providing care on a regular basis for children aged 0-13, including licensed child care centers.
For purposes of this Order, essential persons shall include, but not be limited to:
Health care workers, including staff working in health care facilities and in community-based
services including home health and behavioral health
Law enforcement personnel, fire and emergency services personnel, and staff at correctional
facilities
Individuals employed at emergency child care centers operating on or after April 1, 2020
Staff working for entities that provide essential social services, including, but not limited to,
group home and shelter staff
Monday, March 23, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 109, directing the
suspension of all elective surgeries and invasive procedures performed on adults that are scheduled to
take place after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2020. The Governor’s Executive Order applies to all
medical and dental operations that can be delayed without undue risk to the current or future health of
the patient, as determined by the patient’s physician or dentist.
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In addition to the suspension outlined above, Governor Murphy’s Executive Order also requires the
following:
Protecting the capacity of hospitals: Physicians and dentists, who are planning to perform
surgery or invasive procedures in their offices, must consider the potential burden of post-
surgery complications on local hospitals prior to performing any operation.
Explicit exemption for family planning and termination of pregnancies: The order provides
that it shall not be interpreted in any way to limit access to family planning services, including
termination of pregnancies.
Inventory of personal protective equipment to be taken: Any business, non-hospital health
care facility, or institution of higher learning in possession of PPE, ventilators, respirators, or
anesthesia machines not required for the provision of critical health care services shall undertake
an inventory of these supplies and send that information to the State by 5:00 pm on Friday,
March 27. The Office of Emergency Management shall establish a process for affected entities to
submit this information.
The Order requires facilities to immediately notify patients whose operations have to be suspended.
For a copy of Executive Order No. 109, please click here https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-
109.pdf.
Essential government employees who are unable to work from home, including child protection
services workers, child welfare workers, foster care workers, unemployment compensation
processing staff, and public health employees, and
Certain critical workers, as defined by the Commissioner of DCF, at essential retail businesses,
as defined in Executive Order No. 107 (2020) and subsequent Administrative Orders.
The Commissioner of DCF shall have the authority to make changes to this list. A copy of the press
release and Executive Order may be found here:
https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200325a.shtml
(UPDATES BELOW) As of Saturday, March 21, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive
Order No. 107, directing all residents to stay at home, until further notice.
The Order prohibits all gatherings of individuals such as,
Parties
Celebrations, or
Other social events,
Unless otherwise authorized by the order.
When in public, individuals must practice social distancing and stay at least 6 feet apart whenever
possible, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners.
The Order also directs all non-essential retail businesses (Examples for the City of Passaic: Arcades,
Billiards, Social Clubs, Luncheonettes, etc.) to close their establishments to the public, with the
exception of:
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Grocery stores, farmer's markets and
farms that sell directly to customers, and
other food stores, including retailers that
offer a varied assortment of foods
comparable to what exists at a grocery
store;
Pharmacies and medical marijuana
dispensaries
Medical supply stores
Gas stations
Convenience stores
Hardware and home improvement stores
Banks and other financial institutions.
Laundromats and dry-cleaning services
Stores that principally sell supplies for
children under five years
Pet stores
Liquor stores
Car dealerships, but only for auto
maintenance and repair, and auto
mechanics
Printing and office supply shops
Mail and delivery stores.
Nothing in the Order shall limit
1) The provision of health care or medical services
2) Access to essential services for low-income residents, such as food banks;
3) The operations of the media
4) Law enforcement agencies, or
5) The operations of the federal government.
All businesses or non-profits, wherever practicable, must accommodate their workforce for telework or
work-from-home arrangements. To the extent a business or non-profit has employees that cannot
perform their functions via telework or work-from-home arrangements, the business or non-profit
should make best efforts to reduce staff on site to the minimal number necessary to ensure that essential
operations can continue.
Examples of employees who need to be present at their work site in order to perform their job duties
include, but are not limited to,
Law enforcement officers
Fire fighters
Other first responders
Cashiers or store clerks
Construction workers
Utility workers
Repair workers
Warehouse workers
Lab researchers
IT maintenance workers
Janitorial and custodial staff, and
Certain administrative staff
Mobile phone retail and repair shops
Bicycle shops, but only to provide
service and repair
Livestock feed stores
Nurseries and garden centers
Farming equipment stores
Businesses that remain operational must comply with social distancing.
The Order continues existing bans on,
Recreational and entertainment businesses,
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Requirements that all restaurants operate by delivery and takeout only, and
The directive that all pre-k, elementary, and secondary schools close and all institutions of higher
education cease in-person instruction.
Governor Murphy also signed Executive Order No. 108, which invalidates any county or municipal
restriction that in any way will or might conflict with any of the provisions of Executive Order No. 107.
Municipalities or counties cannot,
1) Make any additions to or deletions from the list of essential retail businesses
2) Impose any additional limitations on businesses beyond the governor's order
3) Impose any additional density or social distancing requirements;
4) Impose any additional restrictions on freedom of movement
The only exceptions are two categories over which municipalities or counties may impose any additional
restrictions:
1) Online marketplaces for arranging or offering lodging and
2) Municipal or county parks.
All additional county and municipality restrictions, subject to the provisions above, are not only
invalidated, but, going forward, municipalities or counties may not enact or enforce any rule or
ordinance which will or might conflict with any of the provisions of Executive Order No. 107.
Governor Murphy’s Executive order can be seen in the following link, https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-
information/general-public/governor-murphy-announces-statewide-stay-at-home-order-closure-of-all-
non-essential-retail-businesses.
On Wednesday, May 6, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy and Superintendent of the State Police
Colonel Patrick Callahan announced an Administrative Order clarifying that recreational and
entertainment activities prohibited under Executive Order No. 107 (2020) are also prohibited from
taking place within the brick-and-mortar premises of essential retail businesses that are permitted to
remain open.
Under the order, recreational and entertainment activities are also prohibited within the facilities of
public, private, and parochial preschool programs, or elementary and secondary schools, including
charter and renaissance schools that remain closed to students. The Order will take effect immediately.
A copy of the Administrative Order can be found here: https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-
107.pdf
On Thursday, March 19, 2020, Governor Murphy declared the closure of all personal-care businesses,
which cannot comply with social distancing guidelines, including barbershops, hair salons, spas, nail
and eyelash salons, and tattoo parlors. This will remain in effect until further notice.
As of Wednesday, March 18, 2020, Mayor Hector C. Lora prohibited all door-to-door solicitation in
the City of Passaic. Residents are urged to refrain from answering solicitation visits at home. Residents
can report these door-to-door solicitations by calling the Passaic Police Department at 973-365-3900.
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Monday, March 16, 2020 Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 104, implementing
aggressive social distancing measures to mitigate further spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey.
All schools are closed as of Wednesday, March 18, 2020 and shall remain closed as long as this
Order remains in effect.
All institutions of higher education shall cease in-person instruction beginning on Wednesday,
March 18, 2020 and shall remain closed as long as this Order remains in effect.
All restaurants, with or without a liquor license, may operate their usual hours but are limited to
takeout and delivery services ONLY. No eat-in services shall be offered.
As of 8pm, Monday March 16, 2020, gyms, fitness centers, entertainment centers including, but
not limited to movie theaters, performing arts center, other concert venues, and nightclubs are
closed, until further notice.
Remember, as a community we need to protect individuals in a high-risk group for serious illness
from COVID-19. People at higher risk include:
Older adults
Persons of any age with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or
diabetes
Persons with weakened immune system
Those who are pregnant
The Division of Health would like to remind you of basic preventive actions that should be
followed during this pandemic. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, please be
sure that you:
• Practice handwashing regularly, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily
• Stay home when you are sick, and avoid close contact with people who are sick
Furthermore, be sure to practice the following social distancing measures:
• Keep a distance of at least 6 feet from all people, especially those who are coughing and
sneezing
• Avoid unnecessary physical contact, such as handshaking
• Avoid attending crowded events and social gatherings
• Consider replacing in-person gatherings with video chatting, voice messaging and phone calls
The Health Division does not test for COVID-19.
For testing site updates please visit the City of Passaic website at www.cityofpassaic.com or for more
information about the community-based testing in NJ, please refer to this link,
https://covid19.nj.gov/locations?query=Testing+Centers+schedule .
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New Jersey Poison Control Center and NJ 211 have partnered with the State to provide
information to the public on COVID-19. If you have general questions about COVID-19 or if you
are in need of resources:
Call: 2-1-1
Call 24/7: 1-800-962-1253
Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
Text: your zip code to 898-211 for live text assistance
Lastly, New COVID-19 website is available: www.covid19.nj.gov. The website has information that
residents, healthcare providers, businesses and organizations, schools, and others will find helpful. The
covid19.nj.gov website also has LIVE updates and announcements, as well as case counts by county.