Today, Friday, March 4th, the second anniversary of New Jersey's first recorded case of COVID-19, Governor Murphy held his final COVID-19 press briefing. 

Though the Governor will no longer plan to host in-person COVID-19 updates, the State's COVID-19 dashboard will be updated daily, important information will continue to be posted to the Governor's Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts, and we will continue to share new updates through this newsletter.

Thankfully, the Omicron tsunami is receding, case numbers are falling, hospital metrics are improving, and vaccination numbers are high and climbing.

The moratorium on utility shutoffs ends on March 15th, 2022.

If you owe money on your utilities, do not wait to pay what you owe. Arrange a payment plan or apply for help.

If you need help, you can apply for multiple assistance programs, including the new water assistance program described below, by visiting the DCAid Service Portal or by calling 1-800-510-3102.

The application period for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is open.

The program provides assistance to low-income households to reduce balances on their residential water and wastewater bills.

The assistance can be used to restore services, avoid service disruption, or support residential customers in danger of falling behind on their bills in the near future.

Residents can apply online through the DCAid application portal.

This week, Governor Murphy signed an Executive Order that updated and clarified timelines for requiring covered workers at health care facilities and high-risk congregate settings to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including having received a booster shot.

• Workers in facilities subject to the federal CMS vaccine rule for settings that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement must obtain their first dose of the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccination based on the timeframes set by CMS.
• As of February 16th, 2022, workers in facilities not subject to the CMS rule must obtain their first dose of the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccination.
• By April 11th, 2022, or within three weeks of becoming eligible, whichever is later, workers in facilities subject to the federal CMS vaccine rule for settings that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement must provide adequate proof that they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination (completed their primary series and any booster shots for which they are eligible).
• By May 11th, 2022, workers in facilities not subject to the CMS rule must provide adequate proof that they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination (completed their primary series and any booster shots for which they are eligible).
• Workers who become newly eligible for a booster shot will be required to submit proof of their booster shot within three weeks of becoming eligible.

The Executive Order aligned state timelines with updated CDC recommendations on optimal intervals between first and second doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccination series, in addition to other updates.

Spring is less than a month away! Get your COVID-19 booster so you'll be ready.

A booster is recommended for everyone 12 years and older. The recommended timing for a booster dose is as follows:

• Pfizer (Age 12+) or Moderna (Age 18+) — at least 5 months after receiving the initial vaccine series
• J&J (Age 18+) — at least 2 months after receiving your J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine

Schedule your booster today at covid19.nj.gov/finder or call 855-568-0545.

Docket is a mobile app 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.