SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is urging residents not to travel out of state unless it’s essential, as a way to slow the spread of COVID-19. The action comes a week after he ditched the state’s travel advisory list.
“No one should be traveling out of state for anything beyond that which is essential for your daily life,” he said, which includes going to work or traveling for medical treatment.
Commuting to Pennsylvania or Delaware is allowed, but Murphy said residents who travel outside of the region — or visitors who are coming in — should self-quarantine for 14 days.
“But the spirit of this is you’re going for a reason that’s real,” he added, “and you’re in and out the same day.”
A week ago, the state abandoned its state-by-state travel advisory list. Murphy said there were 46 other states on the list because COVID-19 was so widespread.
On Wednesday, New Jersey reported 4,350 new cases and 56 additional deaths, bringing those totals since the start of the pandemic to 346,206 and 1,836, respectively.
Also at his briefing, the governor shared a photo of a Bergen County bar with a large crowd outside — an example of what not to do.
“I’m trying hard to find a mask anywhere in that crowd,” he said. “And there certainly isn’t any effort to socially distance.”
The bar was cited for violating the state’s current outdoor gathering limit of 150 people. That limit will be reduced to 25, effective Monday.
Murphy urged anyone in that bar crowd to get a COVID-19 test.
As far as imposing further statewide restrictions, Murphy said all options remain on the table. A spike in cases as a result of Thanksgiving last week could lead him to tighten restrictions, though it’s still too soon to know whether the holiday caused a surge.
Murphy said he realizes coronavirus rules at Christmastime will be difficult, but they’re necessary.
“This is Grinch times five,” he alluded. “Don’t travel. You gotta stay 6 (feet) away from Santa. Santa’s got to wear a face covering. You gotta wear a face covering when you have your dinner at home — and make sure it’s single digits. All of that stinks, but unfortunately, that’s the reality we’re in.”