Starting this Memorial Day weekend, entry to all New Jersey State Parks, forests, and recreation areas will be free of charge this summer. Park entrance fees will be waived for all visitors, regardless of residency. Anyone who already purchased a 2022 annual State Park Pass will automatically receive a full refund.

Other individual park fees remain in place, such as camping, interpretive programs, and mobile sport fishing permits.

Health insurance, doula services, home visit assistance, early childhood education, and many other services for families with young children are now available through Connecting NJ. This new website simplifies the process of accessing services and provides a single point of entry for community members in need.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Awards highlight the success of businesses, individuals, and others who make extra efforts to advance sustainability through recycling. Nominees must be located in New Jersey. You may nominate yourself, your business/organization, or any other business, individual, or organization.

Applications are being accepted through July 22nd, 2022. Nominations must be for activities that took place in 2021.

Have you recently lost your job and are struggling to pay your bills while searching for a new position? Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary financial support to people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. If you find yourself in this situation, you will want to visit the new, simplified unemployment application, available online from the Department of Labor.

Learn how you can be a part of the State of New Jersey's coordinated effort to fight climate change.

Attend a public informational webinar on June 9th, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. about the state's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

The CDC recommends booster shots for people over the age of 5 who completed their primary vaccination series at least 5 months ago (3 months for immunocompromised people).

• Individuals aged 50 and older who received a previous booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna at least four months ago are eligible for an additional booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna
• Individuals aged 5 to 11 who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are eligible for a single booster dose of Pfizer, given at least 3 months after their primary, 3-dose series of the Pfizer vaccine
• Individuals aged 12 and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and received a previous booster dose of Pfizer at least four months ago are eligible for a second booster dose of Pfizer
• Individuals aged 18 and older who received a primary dose and a previous booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least four months ago are eligible for an additional booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna

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

It's especially important to get tested if you are feeling sick or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

To get tested:

• Find testing sites near you, including their hours and testing requirements.
• Order a free at-home saliva test, shipped to your home at no cost.
• Order free rapid antigen tests, shipped to your home at no cost.

New Jersey retail stores, grocery stores, and food service businesses may no longer provide or sell single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products. Single-use paper carryout bags are allowed to be provided or sold, except by grocery stores equal to or larger than 2,500 square feet, which may only provide or sell reusable carryout bags.

To learn more about the new law, visit Get Past Plastic.

The Business.NJ.gov Update shares timely information on regulations, financing, and services likely to affect your business. Whether you own a small business, work at one, or like to stay in-the-know, you won't want to miss this weekly email.