Murphy balances omicron spread with moving ahead in second term
New Jersey reinstates public health emergency
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy reinstated a public health emergency as the state tries to beat back a wave of COVID-19 infections propelled by the highly-infectious Omicron variant. Murphy said the new order wouldn't change people's everyday lives but leaves a school and daycare mask mandate in place.
TRENTON - New Jersey Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy delivered his fourth state of the state address, saying he would declare a public health emergency again in light of COVID-19's omicron variant.
Murphy spoke remotely in a prerecorded speech for the second time for the annual address.
He said the new order wouldn't change people's everyday lives but leaves a school and daycare mask mandate in place.
The public health emergency declaration comes just as some of the governor’s powers expired as part of a law he signed in June, when the high vaccination rate and declining case counts had officials optimistic the virus could be behind the state.
MORE CORONAVIRUS HEADLINES
- Delaware indoor mask mandate goes into effect on Tuesday
- Fauci Senate hearing on pandemic gets testy: ‘What a moron’
- Red Cross declares 1st ever US blood shortage crisis: How to donate, types needed
- Wolf: Vaccine is strategy to fight COVID-19, not more shutdowns
___
DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP | FOX 29 WEATHER AUTHORITY APP
SUBSCRIBE: Good Day Digest Newsletter | FOX 29 Philly on YouTube