PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey's governor is sticking by his decision to allow teachers and staff to return for the new school year without being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Gov. Phil Murphy has set Oct. 18 as the deadline for school employees to submit their vaccination cards, or be subject to weekly COVID-19 testing. Students return to New Jersey schools this week, after Rosh Hashanah.
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Appearing on CBS' Face the Nation Sunday, Murphy explained his rationale for not requiring staff vaccines on the first day.
"Educators, as we sit here today, are already at a very high level of vaccination. We think that timeframe is a realistic one," he said.
Murphy also pointed out that masks are mandatory for everyone in school buildings across the state.
"Everyone in our school buildings will be masked," he reinforced. "Students, educators, staff, no exceptions."