SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Gov. Phil Murphy has hinted that as early as next week, New Jersey could announce the lifting of more COVID-19 restrictions.
At his Trenton COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday, Murphy was asked about New York, which is easing restrictions and allowing people to sit at bars starting Monday, among other changes. That’s still prohibited in New Jersey, but Murphy indicated he will likely have more to announce next week.
“You’re going to see us accelerating opening up of the state,” he said. “There’s just no other way to put it. And my guess is, if I had to predict, we’ll have more news on that front on Monday.”
Earlier this week, Murphy announced indoor and outdoor occupancy limits will be allowed to expand starting May 10, paving the way for graduations, proms, weddings and other catered events.
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance, saying vaccinated people do not have to wear masks outdoors, Murphy said he does not plan to change New Jersey’s rule stating masks are required outdoors when people can’t be 6 feet apart. Masking is still required indoors.
The governor also said the state would discuss steps it needs to take to get more people vaccinated. He announced a video contest in which the winner would be a part of the state’s public service campaign.
On the vaccine front, 6.8 million doses have been administered to date. More than 2.9 million New Jerseyans are fully vaccinated, and 83% of adults over the age of 65 have received at least their first shot.
While 84% of residents in the state’s long-term care facilities are vaccinated, Murphy was disappointed that only 56% of long-term care staff are immunized.
“We’re not happy with it,” he added. “Unequivocally, not happy with the takeup on workers in long-term care.”
State Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said many staff members are from communities of color who have been skeptical, while others are apparently buying into misinformation.
“There’s a number of them who are young who take their information from the internet,” she explained. “There’s a number of myths on the internet around, particularly, the mRNA vaccines.”
She urges relatives of nursing home residents to ask questions about staff vaccinations.
Meanwhile, compared to other states, Murphy said New Jersey currently ranks eighth in the percent of all adults with at least one dose and 10th in total doses administered per 100,000 residents.