PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Gov. Phil Murphy is criticizing President Donald Trump for "putting lives at risk" by holding a North Jersey fundraiser last week while knowing a close adviser had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Murphy blasted the president for holding a fundraiser at his Bedminster golf club last Thursday, knowing that White House advisor Hope Hicks had tested positive.
"It is clear that the president and his staff acted recklessly in coming to New Jersey in the first place, knowing that they had been exposed to someone with a confirmed positive test," Murphy said at his regular coronavirus briefing.
A day after the fundraiser at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, the president announced he had tested positive.
Murphy said New Jersey has been trying to contact the 206 people and 19 workers at the event to advise them to quarantine and get tested.
Murphy said there's been a "mixed bag" of cooperation, and he said the federal government needs to help more.
"We just haven't had the level — as robust a partnership as we want," Murphy said. "The lead has clearly been New Jersey on this — even for folks who are not from New Jersey I might add."
Murphy said the state attorney general was investigating whether the fundraiser violated the indoor capacity limit of 150 people, and whether there was a buffet, which would also be a violation.
Murphy also announced that "Halloween is on" in New Jersey.
He said residents may trick or treat, provided they wear masks that cover the nose and mouth. Masks for costumes don't count, he said.
The governor discouraged communal bowls of candy and said people who are giving out treats should arrange them so that they can be collected with minimal contact.
