New Jersey has announced a contest calling for your videos that show why YOU are getting vaccinated and encourage others to do the same. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and protect you from getting sick. We all know that to help stop the spread of COVID-19, we need to protect ourselves and our loved ones by getting vaccinated. Your videos can make a difference to help others get vaccinated. A number of videos will be chosen to be voted on by the public. The winner will be used in the State’s COVID-19 public health campaign.

Videos must be submitted by May 11th.

Summer youth overnight and day camps will be permitted to open for the 2021 season. All overnight and day camps must follow new COVID-19 health and safety protocols outlined in guidance issued this week by the NJ Department of Health, including:

• Daily health screenings
• Infection control protocols such as face masks and social distancing
• Policies and protocols for when a staff member or camper receives a positive COVID-19 test
• For overnight camps, unvaccinated staff and campers must receive a negative test result within 72 hours of arriving on-site and all staff and campers will be required to receive a test within 3-6 days of arrival

New Jersey announced upcoming plans to ease a variety of COVID-19 restrictions over the coming weeks:

• The general outdoor gathering limit will increase from 200 people to 500 people.
• Outdoor capacity for large venues with 1,000 fixed seats or more will increase to 50 percent capacity.
• Capacity limits for indoor private catered events, including proms and wedding receptions, will increase to 50 percent capacity of the room, but no more than 250 people.
• Dance floors at indoor private catered events, including proms and wedding receptions, can reopen with masking and social distancing requirements in place. Dance floors will remain closed at bars and nightclubs.

New Jersey’s reopening plans are based on data that demonstrates improvements in public health and the capacity to safeguard the public. Additional details surrounding the easing of COVID-19 restrictions are expected to be announced next week.

The Federal and New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) programs can help put money back in your pockets. In 2021, more money is available, and more tax filers are eligible than ever before. Free tax return preparation is also available for people who generally make $57,000 or less, people with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers. Find free tax prep help near you, and learn more about the NJ EITC at njeitc.org.

The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Phase II lottery application period remains open to help New Jerseyans pay their rent arrears or future rent. The program devotes approximately $353 million to rental assistance for low- and moderate-income households that have been financially impacted by the pandemic, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

In addition to the tenants themselves, landlords or advocates may apply on behalf of tenants, with the tenant’s permission.

As of this week, more than 4.2 million people have received at least one vaccine dose, and more than 3.0 million people are fully vaccinated.

Appointments are available across New Jersey and all individuals 16+ who live, work, or study in New Jersey are eligible.

• Use New Jersey’s Vaccine Appointment Finder to schedule an appointment near you.
• Walk-in vaccinations are available at all six vaccine mega-sites to all New Jerseyans age 16+. No appointments required.
• The Vaccine Call Center is available at 855-568-0545 from 8 am to 8 pm in more than 240 different languages to answer questions about the vaccine and help individuals get vaccinated.
• If you are 65 or older, you can call a special senior hotline at 856-249-7007 from 8 am to 8 pm for vaccination scheduling support.