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Murphy Threatens Pause To Restart As COVID-19 Transmission Rate Spikes Highest In 10 Weeks Murphy Threatens Pause To Restart As COVID-19 Transmission Rate Spikes Highest In 10 Weeks
Murphy Threatens Pause To Restart As Covid-19 Transmission Rate Spikes Highest In 10 Weeks The COVID-19 transmission rate across New Jersey is the highest it's been in 10 weeks -- a sign that "we need to do more," Gov. Phil Murphy said at Monday's briefing. In the last two days, the rate of transmission as been 1.03, meaning that every new case leads to at least one other new one, the governor explained. "I do not want to have to hit another pause on our restart because a small number of New Jerseyans are being irresponsible and spreading COVID-19 while the rest of us continue to work hard to stop it," said Murphy, the same day youth day camps, in-person summer education and outd…

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by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Here Are The Rules: NJ Schools To Reopen With Social Distancing, Face Masks Here Are The Rules: NJ Schools To Reopen With Social Distancing, Face Masks
Here Are The Rules: NJ Schools To Reopen With Social Distancing, Face Masks Going back to school in September will look much different for New Jersey students, who have been remotely learning since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic mid-March. The New Jersey Department of Education on Friday released guidance for reopening of schools for the 2020-21 school year. The guidelines strongly encourage face masks for students, who are required to stay six feet apart in classrooms and buses. Lunch times will be staggered and teachers are required to wear face masks. The guidelines are part of the state's "Road Back" restart and recovery plan, and were compiled…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
COVID-19: NY, NJ, CT Order Joint Quarantine For Visitors From States With High Infection Rate COVID-19: NY, NJ, CT Order Joint Quarantine For Visitors From States With High Infection Rate
Covid-19: NY, NJ, CT Order Joint Quarantine For Visitors From States With High Infection Rate New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are requiring mandatory 14-day quarantines for travelers coming into the region from states with high novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection rates. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy held a joint press briefing on Wednesday, June 24 to announce the “travel advisory.” “We’ve worked very hard to get the viral transmission down, and we don’t want to get it up,” Cuomo said. “People can literally bring the infection with them. ... It’s not malicious or malevolent, but it will be real. Noting that the tri-…

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by Zak Failla
News
NJ Playgrounds, Amusement Parks Can Reopen July 2 NJ Playgrounds, Amusement Parks Can Reopen July 2
NJ Playgrounds, Amusement Parks Can Reopen July 2 Outdoor amusement parks, waterparks and playgrounds can reopen with limitations Thursday July 2, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Tuesday, adding New Jersey has reached the latter portion of Stage 2 of reopening. The amusement and water parks -- including rides on Jersey Shore boardwalks -- will be able to reopen at 50 percent capacity, the governor said. Face coverings will be required and strict hygiene protocols will be fully implemented, he said.  Rides will be sanitized and will accommodate social distancing measures. Playgrounds have been closed since mid-March, as one of the…

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by Cecilia Levine
Schools
NJ Education Officials To Release Guidelines On Welcoming College Students Back To Campus NJ Education Officials To Release Guidelines On Welcoming College Students Back To Campus
NJ Education Officials To Release Guidelines On Welcoming College Students Back To Campus New Jersey education officials on Wednesday is expected to release guidelines for the state's colleges and universities bringing students back on campus for upcoming summer and fall semesters. No hard date was set, rather, institutions were told they can provide individual plans to The NJ Office of the Secretary of Higher Education at least 14 days before the date they want to reopen for review by the state's health department. The plans must consider 10 key areas: Instruction, housing, computer labs, libraries, research and labs, student services, transportation, dining, study ab…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
'No Choice': South Jersey Movie Theater Closes After Defying Murphy's Order 'No Choice': South Jersey Movie Theater Closes After Defying Murphy's Order
'No Choice': South Jersey Movie Theater Closes After Defying Murphy's Order A South Jersey movie theater has closed after being ticketed by police for defying Gov. Phil Murphy's executive order and reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Tilton Square Theatre in Northfield reopened on June 5, after more than five weeks of being closed due to COVID-19.  The theater implemented several safety measures including customer limits, requiring masks, installing sneeze guards and more. Police mailed the theater a summons for each day it was open (5), and officers gave the theater a verbal warning along with a copy of the governor's executive order the day it…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
LAWSUIT: Asbury Park, State Clash Over COVID-19 Indoor Dining Ban LAWSUIT: Asbury Park, State Clash Over COVID-19 Indoor Dining Ban
Lawsuit: Asbury Park, State Clash Over Covid-19 Indoor Dining Ban New Jersey is suing Asbury Park over its local decision defying Gov. Phil Murphy's orders and allowing restaurants to reopen indoor dining areas, state officials said. "We have put the health and safety protocols in place so that you can have confidence," Gov. Phil Murphy said at a Friday afternoon news briefing. State officials have tried to amicably resolve its dispute with Asbury Park government officials and "unfortunately they have not done so," Murphy said. "We believe indoor restaurants can run in a safe manner provided they are subject to all the requirements outlined in Executive …

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by Jon Craig
News
Here's How New Jersey's COVID-19 Contact Tracing System Will Work Here's How New Jersey's COVID-19 Contact Tracing System Will Work
Here's How New Jersey's Covid-19 Contact Tracing System Will Work The roles of contact tracers are taking on a new urgency as New Jersey gears up to enter Stage 2 of its economic restart and recovery next week. "It's not a question of whether or not the virus comes back," Murphy said, "but what are we going to do for it? And contact tracing is a huge element in our preparedness." There are already 900 contact tracers working across New Jersey -- and 1600 more will soon be joining them, Gov. Phil Murphy said at Wednesday's briefing. Contact tracing, along with hand-washing, mask-wearing, testing and social distancing, "are our only protections" from COVID…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
NJ Mayors Want Murphy To Reopen Indoor Malls, Shopping Centers NJ Mayors Want Murphy To Reopen Indoor Malls, Shopping Centers
NJ Mayors Want Murphy To Reopen Indoor Malls, Shopping Centers A group of New Jersey mayors have formed a coalition in hopes of persuading Gov. Phil Murphy to reopen indoor malls. Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac is helming the coalition of mayors, all of whom have large indoor mall and shopping centers in their municipalities.  All New Jersey malls and shopping centers closed on March 17 due to the coronavirus outbreak. On May 18, the state allowed non-essential retail stores to offer curbside pickup. As the state begins to enter stage two of the multi-phase reopening plan on June 15, Murphy has said stores in the mall with direct access …

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by Jon Craig
News
Pool Rules: No Kick-Boards, Limited Capacity Among NJ's New Swim Club Guidelines Pool Rules: No Kick-Boards, Limited Capacity Among NJ's New Swim Club Guidelines
Pool Rules: No Kick-Boards, Limited Capacity Among NJ's New Swim Club Guidelines New Jersey officials released a set of rules for public and private swim clubs, which are set to open Monday, June 22 amid the coronavirus pandemic. "Social-distancing is the only tool we've got," State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said, noting maximum capacity will be limited to 50 percent. No pool toys such as kick-boards, snorkels or noodles will be allowed in the pool to limit the opportunity of sharing items. Everyone must stay at a safe distance both while in the water and on the pool deck, she said. Face coverings are required for those above the age of two only on the …

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
More Business Owners Across NJ Defy ‘Murphy’s Law’ More Business Owners Across NJ Defy ‘Murphy’s Law’
More Business Owners Across NJ Defy ‘Murphy’s Law’ Across New Jersey, from the Ramapo Mountains to the Pine Barrens, business owners are defying Gov. Phil Murphy’s coronavirus emergency closure orders. The overwhelming majority of merchants are sticking to the governor’s plan, say state authorities. Then there's a group of others. All had been warned by police in their towns, then opened their doors again, state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said Friday. A day after reminding local businessman Kenneth Spilatro, 59, of Morris Plains that the governor’s order allowed him only curbside pickup, Parsippany police reported finding 20 to 30 …

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Murphy Announces Dates For Stage 2 Of New Jersey's Reopening; More On Gyms, Bars To Come Murphy Announces Dates For Stage 2 Of New Jersey's Reopening; More On Gyms, Bars To Come
Murphy Announces Dates For Stage 2 Of New Jersey's Reopening; More On Gyms, Bars To Come New Jersey is gearing up to enter the second stage of its economic restart and recovery following the COVID-19 lockdown, officials said Monday. Beginning Monday, June 15, nonessential retail stores and outdoor dining can reopen, Gov. Phil Murphy said. Salons and barbershops will reopen on Monday, June 22. Gyms and health clubs, also included in Stage 2, will be the next to reopen at reduced capacity, with a hard date to come. Stage 3 includes expanded dining, critical in-office work, limited entertainment, expanded personal care, bars with limited capacity, expanded gyms with rest…

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by Cecilia Levine