Governor Murphy announced that all workers in preschool to Grade 12 schools, as well as all State employees, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18th, 2021 or be subject to COVID-19 testing at minimum one to two times per week. This requirement applies in part to all part-time and full-time individuals employed by all public, private, and parochial preschool programs and elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools, as well as all workers at state agencies, authorities, and state colleges and universities.

As previously announced, all workers in certain health care and high-risk congregate settings, including correctional facilities, must be fully vaccinated or be subject to regular testing by September 7th, 2021.

This week, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury announced that New Jersey’s gas tax rate will decrease by 8.3 cents per gallon beginning October 1st. The total tax rates for gasoline and diesel fuel will be 42.4 cents and 49.4 cents per gallon, respectively. In New Jersey, a 2016 law that requires a steady stream of revenue to support the State’s Transportation Trust Fund (TFF) program explicitly spells out the formula and the timing for when the gas tax rate will be calculated each year. The announcement comes after a thorough review of fuel consumption statistics and consultation with the non-partisan Legislative Budget and Finance Officer. Learn more about the gas tax law, the process that goes into calculating the rate each year, and historical data in the short PDF explainer below.

People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems who have received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines should receive a third dose after the initial vaccine series. This additional dose is intended to make sure that immunocompromised individuals have enough protection against COVID-19 as they may not build the same level of immunity from the two-dose vaccine series as people who are not immunocompromised. Any eligible person can get a third dose at any existing vaccination location – they should bring documentation of the vaccine doses they have received.

Separately, New Jersey is preparing for booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for the general public, pending federal approval and recommendation. A booster dose is a supplemental dose of vaccine given to people when the immune response weakens over time.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine received full approval from the FDA on Monday, August 23rd. It’s safe and effective at helping prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, including the Delta variant.

If you’ve been waiting to get vaccinated, do it today.

Governor Murphy signed legislation introducing critical protections to renter households who experienced economic hardships during the pandemic and keeping the eviction moratorium in place for households of certain income levels. To make use of state protections, you should complete the State's self-certification form at covid19.nj.gov/renter. These protections are not affected by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the CDC’s eviction moratorium.

If you need help paying for your rent, apply for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program provides rental arrears and temporary rental assistance to low-and moderate-income households that have had a substantial reduction in income, have qualified for unemployment benefits, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rental assistance program will soon expand its scope of eligible applicants to include additional middle-income households. Landlords may apply on behalf of tenants, with the tenant’s permission.

All children ages 12 and older can receive the two-dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

To be protected for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year, parents should get their children vaccinated as soon as possible. The highly transmissible Delta variant poses an increased risk to children and there is an urgent need for everyone to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing you from getting sick. They are the most important tool for ending the COVID-19 pandemic and getting back to what you love.

12-to-17-year-olds must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian to be vaccinated.

Docket is an app from the NJ Department of Health that makes it easier for you and your family to securely access your COVID-19 vaccination record.

If you don't have your vaccination card with you or have lost it, you can easily access your record through the app to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, as needed.

The Docket app is now available in the App store or on Google Play.