Stay safe, New Jersey!

To stay up to date with New Jersey’s response to Tropical Storm Idea, visit https://nj.gov/ida/ for information and resources.

All New Jersey homeowners and small business owners should be sure to take photos and document any damage resulting from last night’s storm to ensure you have documentation of impact needed for insurance and any federal or state relief programs that may become available moving forward.

Yesterday, Governor Murphy spoke with federal officials and requested an expedited Major Disaster Declaration. New Jersey will work with state and federal partners to meet the needs of New Jersey residents and businesses.

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New Jersey’s Eviction Prevention Program will pay up to two years of rent arrears and future rent, as well as utility assistance, for low-, moderate-, and middle-income households that have experienced an economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Eviction Prevention Program uses the same application process as the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which began in March 2021 and is still accepting applications. Landlords may apply for assistance on behalf of a tenant. Visit https://njdca.onlinepha.com/ to get started.

In addition to the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program and Eviction Prevention Program, the State introduced critical eviction protections for renter households that have experienced economic hardships during the pandemic. To find out more about current eviction protections available and how to self-certify for these protections, people can visit https://covid19.nj.gov/renter.

People with moderate to severe immune-system deficiencies are eligible for a third COVID-19 shot. Any eligible person who has received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines can get a third shot at any existing vaccination location. If you have your Vaccination Card, you should bring it with you so that the third dose can be added to your card. This third dose is a necessary additional dose of vaccines for individuals living with an immune system deficiency. It 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.

This "third dose" is different from a booster shot. A booster is an additional dose that will allow the immune system to boost up its defenses against the coronavirus, given when the immune response weakens over time. New Jersey is preparing to make booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine available for the general public, pending federal recommendation.

Don’t forget that all students, educators, staff and visitors will be required to wear masks inside of all school buildings for the start of the 2021-2022 school year with limited exceptions, regardless of vaccination status. Individuals seeking a medical exemption from wearing masks will be required to produce written documentation from a medical professional. Self-attestations and parental attestations are not sufficient.

In addition, all workers in preschool through Grade 12 schools will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be subject to COVID-19 testing at minimum one to two times per week.

Everyone six months of age and older is encouraged to get a flu vaccine every year and September and October are good times to be vaccinated.

It is likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading this fall and winter, making it more important than ever to get a flu vaccine. It is the best way to protect yourself and others – especially those who are particularly vulnerable to both COVID-19 and influenza such as older adults and those with chronic health conditions.

Everyone 12 or older can receive the COVID-19 vaccine for free. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing you from getting sick.

• Use the NJ Vaccine Appointment Finder to find available vaccination appointments near you or sites with walk-in vaccinations.
• Find pop-up COVID-19 vaccination events and mobile vaccination clinics in your community on the COVID-19 Community Calendar.

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.