August 18, 2022
On Monday, August 15, 2022, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 302, which lifts the requirements that school districts, childcare settings, and state contractors maintain a policy of requiring unvaccinated workers to undergo routine testing.
It was distinctly noted that nothing in this executive order prevents any of these settings from implementing or maintaining vaccination or testing policies themselves going forward.
Governor Murphy was quoted in a news release saying, "Today's executive order follows guidance from public health officials at the CDC regarding responsible steps states can take as we continue to adjust to the endemic reality of COVID-19 . . . With children as young as 6 months old now eligible for vaccines and millions of New Jerseyans vaccinated and boosted, more of our residents are safe from severe illness due to COVID-19. As always, I encourage everyone to stay up-to-date on their vaccination and take other precautions as necessary to protect themselves and their loved ones from this virus."
This executive order does not affect Executive Directive No. 21-011, which requires schools and childcare facilities to report vaccination and testing data to the Department of Health to allow the state to continue monitoring COVID-19 and make data-driven decisions. Schools and childcare facilities will still be required to report this information.
Additionally, Executive Order No. 302 does not affect covered workers in congregate care, healthcare, and correctional facilities, all of which are still required to be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Click here to access Executive Order No. 302, and click here to access the relevant news release.
