Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday he’s signed another executive order extending the public-health emergency he declared in New Jersey because of the coronavirus pandemic by another 30 days.
This is the sixth time Murphy has extended the emergency, which gives him the power to take executive action to combat COVID-19’s spread.
The Garden State, an early coronavirus hotspot, has seen its outbreak slow significantly in recent months, and Murphy has already eased numerous business closings and other restrictions he installed in March.
But Murphy has warned the virus is still out there and the state must prepare for a possible second wave.
This move doesn’t reverse any of the gradual reopening steps the state has taken. But it does extend all of Murphy’s executive orders still in place, such a business capacities, mask orders, and more. Movie theaters, performing arts centers, and indoor dining at bars and restaurants remain closed until further notice.
“In New Jersey, we have made significant progress in the fight against COVID-19, but this fight is still not over,” Murphy said in a statement. “Extending the public health emergency will provide us access to all available resources to continue saving lives and mitigating the spread of this virus.”
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Murphy declared both a state of emergency and a public-health emergency on March 9 as COVID-19 was beginning to spread in the Garden State, which is now home to the second-most deaths and eighth-most cases in the U.S.
While the state of emergency is indefinite, Murphy preciously extended the public-health emergency in April, May, June, July, and early August. This new extension will remain in place through September.
A state of emergency gives state authorities certain executive powers and safeguards to respond to a crisis. It also allows the state to receive federal aid.
A public-health emergency allows the governor to take broad action to protect New Jersey under the Emergency Health Powers Act.
New Jersey has seen its daily numbers drop dramatically since April, when officials were routinely announcing hundreds of new deaths and thousands of new cases a day.
State officials on Thursday reported 7 more deaths related to COVID-19 and 374 new cases, while the rate of transmission was below the critical mark of 1 for the sixth straight day.
New Jersey has reported 15,921 total deaths — 14,1341 confirmed and 1,780 considered probable — with 190,613 total cases in the nearly six months since the first case was reported here March 4.
The state’s latest rate of transmission is 0.78, below the key benchmark of 1 that shows the virus is declining.
New Jersey remains in Stage 2 of Murphy’s gradual reopening plan. In his latest move, the governor announced this week the state will allow gyms to reopen to 25% indoor capacity and other restrictions on Tuesday.
Murphy also said he hopes to permit some indoor dining by the middle of next month.
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Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.
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N.J. coronavirus public-health emergency extended another 30 days. State of emergency stays in effect. - NJ.com
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