TRENTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- New Jersey is rolling out a bevy of incentives to encourage residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19, including free State Parks passes, free glasses of wine at select wineries and dinner with the governor and his wife.
New Jerseyans who receive at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose by July 4 will be eligible to pick up a “State Parks Vax Pass” at any of the state’s 51 parks, Gov. Phil Murphy said in a press release.
The pass will provide free access to any parks that charge walk-in or parking fees May 27 through Dec. 31, the release said. Fully-vaccinated residents who have already purchased an annual State Parks pass will be able to get refunds, the release noted.
Nine wineries, meanwhile — Amalthea Cellars, Auburn Road Vineyards, Bellview Winery, DiMatteo Vineyards, Salem Oak Vineyards, Terhune Orchards, Tomasello Winery, Villa Milagro Vineyards and White Horse Winery — will offer a free glass of wine to any New Jerseyan above the age of 21 who gets their first COVID-19 shot in May, the release said.
The state is also offering residents ages 18 and up who have gotten at least one shot the opportunity to dine with Murphy and his wife, First Lady Tammy Murphy, according to the release.
Eligible residents will be able to enter a lottery to eat dinner with the couple at their home in Princeton, Drumthwacket, or at the Governor’s residence in Island Beach State Park, the release said. The deadline for entry is May 31.
“Millions of New Jerseyans have rolled up their sleeves and received a vaccination to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19, but there is still much work to be done in order to reach our goal of 4.7 million fully vaccinated New Jersey adults by June 30,” Murphy said in a statement.
“In partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Garden State Wine Growers Association, we are giving New Jerseyans more reasons to step up and visit one of our 1,700 vaccination sites to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine,” he added.