An update from Trenton…
State law requires that a Public Health Emergency declared by the governor automatically terminate after 30 days. Today, Governor Murphy announced that he would renew the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 in E.O. 103. By singing E.O. 119, the Governor extended the Public Health Emergency for an additional 30 days.
- E.O. 119 ensures that all Executive Orders adopted in whole or in part based on the authority under the NJ Emergency Health Powers Act to respond to the Public Health Emergency presented by the COVID-19 outbreak remain in full force and effect. Of note, E.O. 119 confirms that there are thousands of law enforcement officers in New Jersey currently unable to report to duty, the vast majority of which because they tested positive for COVID-19 or are currently in quarantine, and so this allows for precious limited law enforcement resources remain dedicated to the COVID-19 response.
Employees reporting to work are permitted to travel to and from their place of business. Businesses are encouraged to give each employee a letter indicating that the employee works in an industry permitted to continue operations. Essential employees should have the company letter, and company ID accessible while driving to and from work, so they can present it with their license if necessary. We have attached an example letter that you can use for your employees. Click HERE to download.
In total, Governor Murphy signed four Executive Orders:
- E.O. 116: Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Extending Statutory Deadlines for School Districts Whose Elections Were Moved from April to May.
- E.O. 117: Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Waiving Student Assessment Requirements for 2019-2020 School Year.
- E.O. 118: Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Closing State and County Parks to Further Social Distancing.
- E.O. 119: Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Extending Public Health Emergency in New Jersey
Additional Information:
- CONSTRUCTION GUIDANCE EXPECTED: The Murphy Administration is strongly considering new restrictions on construction operations. It is likely that the governor will issue a new Executive Order identifying “essential” and “non-essential” construction activities at tomorrow’s press conference, with the assumption that “non-essential” construction will have to stop. Additional information will be available in the near future.
- “STAY AT HOME” EXECUTIVE ORDER 107 STILL IN PLACE: The “Stay at Home” Executive Order No. 107 remains in full effect. “Manufacturing, industrial, logistics, ports, heavy construction, shipping, food production, food delivery, and other commercial operations may continue to operate….”
The Governor continues to remind the private sector that even though the E.O. deems manufacturing and other businesses essential, social distancing and CDC guidelines must be followed at those locations. Additionally, Executive Order No. 108 invalidates any county or municipal restriction that in any way will or might conflict with any of the provisions of Executive Order No. 107.
For additional information, the state’s main COVID-19 information portal is located at https://covid19.nj.gov/.
Best Regards,
Len Douglen - Executive Director
Ken Heay - Associate Director
NJPMA
P.O. Box 24 Livingston, NJ 07039
Phone: 800-524-9942
Fax: 973-992-5823
