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Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (New Jersey)

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Responses by state

Ballotpedia’s coverage of COVID-19 includes how federal, state, and local governments are responding, and how those responses are influencing election rules and operations, political campaigns, the economy, schools, and more.

This article contains coverage of eight kinds of state government responses to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The article tracks developments in these areas that took place between the start of the pandemic in March 2020 through Dec. 4, 2020. The government responses covered here include:

Additionally, the article includes:

To view current coverage areas, including mask requirements, school responses, travel restrictions, and much more, click a state in the map below.

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Changes to election dates and procedures, March 16 through November 19

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


General election changes

New Jersey modified its absentee/mail-in voting and candidate filing procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election as follows:

  • Absentee/mail-in voting: Mail-in were ballots sent to all registered voters in the general election.
  • Candidate filing procedures: Candidates were allowed to collect and submit petition signatures via electronic means. The petition deadline for unaffiliated candidates for non-presidential office was postponed to July 7, 2020.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Primary election changes

New Jersey modified its primary election process as follows:

  • Election postponements: The primary election was postponed from June 2 to July 7.
  • Candidate filing procedures: Candidates were allowed to collect and submit petition signatures via electronic means.
  • Voting procedures: All registered, active Democratic and Republican received mail-in ballots automatically. Unaffiliated and inactive voters received mail-in ballot applications automatically.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.

Click the gray bar below for more detailed information.



Statewide stay-at-home order, March 23 through December 4

See also: States with lockdown and stay-at-home orders in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

On March 21, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued Executive Order No. 107, which directed individuals in the state to stay at home unless performing essential activities and placed restrictions on non-essential businesses.[7] The order did not have an expiration date. On June 9, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) lifted the state's- stay at home order, effective immediately.[8].

Following the release of Executive Order No. 107, the New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC), a business advocacy team within the New Jersey Department of State, released a list of essential businesses and industries that would be permitted to remain open under the order. The information below lists those businesses and industries.[9]

“

BUSINESSES THAT MAY STAY OPEN:

If your business is not a retail business, you may continue to operate, but you must let your workers work from home whenever possible. Simply put, people should not be outside of their home unless they need to be. For example, professional service firms—like law firms and accounting firms—may continue to operate, but must let employees work from home. If you do have employees that must be on site, you must keep them to the minimum number necessary for critical operations.

If your business is a retail business, but is considered essential, you may stay open; these types of businesses include:

  • Grocery stores and any stores that sells food;
  • Pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensaries;
  • Medical supply stores;
  • Gas stations;
  • Convenience stores;
  • Stores in healthcare facilities;
  • Hardware and home improvement stores;
  • Banks;
  • Laundromats/dry-cleaning services;
  • Stores that principally sell supplies for children under five;
  • Pet stores;
  • Liquor stores;
  • Car dealerships, but only for auto maintenance and repair, and auto mechanics;
  • Printing and office supply shops;
  • Mail and delivery stores;
  • Mobile phone retail and repair shops;
  • Bicycle shops, but only to provide service and repair;
  • Livestock feed stores;
  • Nurseries and garden centers;
  • Farming equipment stores;
  • Restaurants and dining establishments may offer delivery and takeout only;
  • Child care centers, but only serving children of essential workers starting April 1.

If your business falls into one of the blanket exemption categories, you may continue to operate; these businesses include:

  • Health care or medical service providers;
  • Essential services for low-income residents, including but not limited to food banks;
  • The media;
  • Law enforcement;
  • Operations of the federal government or the movement of federal officials when operating in their official capacity.

BUSINESSES THAT MUST CLOSE:

All retail businesses not considered “essential” must close. If your business is a retail business that operates with a physical storefront, you must close your business to the public. Delivery and online operations may continue.

Recreational and entertainment businesses must close; these types of businesses include:

  • Casino gaming floors, including retail sports wagering lounges, and casino concert and entertainment venues.
  • Racetracks, including stabling facilities and retail sports wagering lounges.
  • Gyms and fitness centers and classes.
  • Entertainment centers, including but not limited to, movie theaters, performing arts centers, other concert venues, and nightclubs.
  • All indoor portions of retail shopping malls. Restaurants and other stores located within shopping malls that have their own external entrances open to the public may continue offering only food delivery and/or take-out services.
  • All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, locations with amusement parks, water parks, aquariums, zoos, arcades, fairs, children’s play centers, funplexes, theme parks, bowling alleys, family and children’s attractions.
  • Facilities where personal care services are performed that, by their very nature, result in noncompliance with social distancing guidelines, including but not limited to cosmetology shops; barber shops; beauty salons; hair braiding shops; nail salons; electrology facilities; spas, including day spas and medical spas, at which solely elective and cosmetic medical procedures are performed; massage parlors, tanning salons, tattoo parlors, pet groomers, and public and private social clubs, whether or not they serve alcohol, including but not limited to facilities owned or operated by the American
  • Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus, and any other social clubs associated with community service organizations. This excludes any health facilities that provide medically necessary or therapeutic services.
  • All municipal, county, and State public libraries, and all libraries and computer labs at public and private colleges and universities.

[10]

”

Executive orders, March 30 through June 29

See also: Executive orders issued by governors and state agencies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


Court closures, March 17 through November 4

See also: State court closures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
  • September 21, 2020: Courts in the state were allowed to start resuming jury trials.[11]
  • July 10, 2020: The New Jersey Supreme Court extended its suspension of new jury trials, in-person grand jury selections, and landlord/tenant trials, through July 26, 2020.[12]
  • June 11, 2020: The New Jersey Supreme Court approved a post-pandemic plan that will allow state courts to move from Phase 1, in which courts remain closed to the public, to Phase 2 beginning June 22. Under that phase, some matters will be able to resume in-person on that day, including five jury trials that began before courthouses were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Under the plan, many matters will continue to be conducted remotely.[13]
  • June 2, 2020: The New Jersey Supreme Court extended restrictions on in-person proceedings through June 14.[14]
  • May 14, 2020: The New Jersey Judiciary announced the creation of a new virtual grand jury pilot program. Virtual proceedings were set to occur in Bergen and Mercer counties within two weeks, according to an order signed by New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner. The pilot program would be used to determine whether similar remote grand juries will be expanded to other county and state proceedings.[15]
  • April 24, 2020: The New Jersey Supreme Court issued an order that allowed Municipal Courts in the state to resume individual sessions via video or phone only.[16]
  • April 20, 2020: The New Jersey Supreme Court ordered that all court proceedings should continue to be conducted remotely using video or phone as much as possible.[17]
  • March 27, 2020: The New Jersey Supreme Court extended their suspensions of jury trials and other deadlines through April 26. [18]
  • March 24, 2020: The New Jersey Supreme Court issued an order that will suspend or commute county jail sentences for low-risk inmates due to the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic.[19]
  • March 18, 2020: New Jersey Supreme Court amended their previous March 14, 2020 order, to include that there are to be no in-person Superior Court proceedings, except in "extremely limited emergent matters and certain ongoing trials." Other matters, such as case management conferences, motions, and hearings, should be conducted by phone or video conference.[20]
  • March 14, 2020: New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner ordered a two-week suspension for New Jersey's municipal courts, effective March 16.[21]

Legislative session changes, March 20 through October 1

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

No modifications to state legislative activity in New Jersey were made.

Proposed and enacted legislation, March 25 through August 19

See also: State laws in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

See below for a complete list of bills related to the coronavirus pandemic in New Jersey. To learn more about a particular bill, click its title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.

Rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies, April 9 through November 24

See also: Changes to rent, mortgage, eviction, and foreclosure policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020


  • March 19, 2020: Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued an executive order which suspended evictions and foreclosures for 60 days following the end of the state of emergency or the public health emergency, whichever was later. The order followed a bill passed by the New Jersey State Senate granting to governor the authority to make changes.[22]


Prison inmate release responses, March 30 through July 1

See also: State and local governments that released prison inmates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020
  • April 28, 2020: The New Jersey Department of Corrections announced that 54 inmates have been placed on emergency medical-home confinement due to the coronavirus pandemic. The temporary releases follow an April 10 order from Gov. Phil Murphy, who authorized the temporary release of certain inmates to slow the spread of the pandemic.[23]
  • April 21, 2020: Corrections officials in New Jersey announced that they are considering the release of 1,105 inmates due to the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement follows an April 10 executive order signed by Gov. Phil Murphy (D). In his order, Murphy established a process for certain inmates to be released to temporary home confinement or to be granted parole. Those qualified for release include low-risk incarcerated individuals vulnerable to the disease based on age and health status, and low-risk inmates who have been denied parole within the last year, or whose sentences are set to expire in the next three months.[24]
  • April 10, 2020: Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued an executive order that established a process for certain inmates to be released to temporary home confinement or to be granted parole due to coronavirus. Those qualified for release include low-risk incarcerated individuals vulnerable to the disease based on age and health status, and low-risk inmates who have been denied parole within the last year, or whose sentences are set to expire in the next three months.[25][26]
  • March 24, 2020: The New Jersey Supreme Court issued an order that suspended or commuted county jail sentences for low-risk inmates due to the public health emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic.[27]


Debate in New Jersey over responses to the coronavirus

See also: Debate in New Jersey over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia is covering the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in New Jersey in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Click on the links below to read more about these debates.

Status of industries, May 15 through July 31

Between May 15 and July 31, we conducted detailed tracking of industries and activities in each state daily.

  • "Yes" means an activity was allowed or an industry was permitted to open. "No" means an activity was not allowed or an industry was not permitted to reopen.
  • Some rules were applied regionally rather than statewide. Each cell shows the loosest restriction in place at the time, or the broadest level of an activity permitted in the state, even if that activity was only permitted regionally. Where applicable, we indicated that an activity was only permitted regionally, and provided details in a cell note. For example, if gyms were permitted to open in half of a state, the spreadsheet would say "Yes (regionally)," and differences between the regions would be explained in a note.
  • A lack of detail in a note or parentheses does not necessarily mean that an activity or industry was "back to normal." We did our best to capture caveats, exceptions, and modifications to activities. We acknowledge, though, that states put forth a large number of requirements for many industries and activities.

Initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures

New Jersey released an initial reopening plan from March and April 2020 closures on May 18, 2020. An analysis of this plan appeared in our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter on June 8. The sections below include an analysis of the plan, the details of the plan, and reactions from officials to the plan.

Summary from Documenting America's Path to Recovery

See also: Documenting America's Path to Recovery: June 8, 2020

On May 18, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced "The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health," a three-stage approach to reopening. Throughout the first stage, businesses and activities deemed low-risk have been allowed to reopen with safety requirements. Stage 2 is set to begin June 15. Murphy established the following criteria for determining when the state could move from one stage to the next:

  • Sustained improvements in public health indicators, including new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, individuals in intensive care, and ventilator use.
  • Substantial increase in testing and contact tracing capacity.
  • Sufficient resilience in New Jersey's health care system to include adequate bed capacity, ventilators, personal protective equipment, and workforce.
  • Widespread safeguarding of workplaces.
  • Widespread safeguarding and capacity of child care, schools, and transit.
  • Continued public compliance.

On March 21, Murphy issued an executive order saying that local governments may not impose restrictions that conflict with the state stay-at-home order. Exceptions include online marketplaces offering lodging, municipal parks, and county parks. Municipalities may also impose additional density and social distancing requirements on restaurants opening for outdoor dining in Stage 2. Municipalities may not reopen businesses at a faster rate than the state allows. Murphy formed the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission, whose members include public health, economic, finance, and business experts. He also created the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Advisory Council, consisting of industry and community organization leaders, to advise state leaders on the economic effects of COVID-19.

Context

  • On March 21, Murphy issued a stay-at-home order requiring individuals to stay home except for limited activities, certain businesses to close, and telework where practicable. Gatherings were limited to 10 people or less. The order has no expiration date and remains in effect, though subsequent orders have allowed businesses and activities to resume and increased the outdoor gathering size limit to 25.
  • As of June 7, New Jersey had 164,164 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 12,176 deaths. For every 100,000 residents, there were 1,848 cases and 137 deaths. New Jersey's per capita case and death rate were the second-highest of any state, behind New York.
  • New Jersey is a Democratic trifecta, with a Democratic governor and Democratic majorities in both chambers of the state legislature.

Plan details

Stage 1 The following were allowed to reopen:

  • State and county parks (parking limited to 50% maximum capacity, no picnicking, additional requirements)—May 2
  • Golf courses (staggered tee times, frequent equipment sanitization, additional requirements)—May 2
  • Drive-in activities (with social distancing requirements)—May 12
  • Non-essential construction (with social distancing and hygiene requirements)—May 18
  • Curbside retail (transactions handled in advance, additional requirements)—May 18
  • Beaches (pavilions, picnic areas, water fountains, and more remain closed; social distancing measures; additional requirements)—May 22
  • Elective surgeries (healthcare staff screening, social distancing in work and common areas, masks where possible, additional requirements)—May 26

Outdoor gatherings of no more than 25 people were allowed, with social distancing and additional requirements, as of May 22. Indoor gatherings remain restricted to 10 people or less. Stage 2 Dates and requirements for some Stage 2 business reopenings are forthcoming. Where dates and requirements were available as of June 8, information is included below.

* Limited in-person retail (limit to 50% capacity, require face masks for employees and customers, additional requirements)—June 15

  • Childcare centers (must submit attestation that they will follow requirements)—June 15
  • Hair salons and barber shops—June 22
  • Sports activities—(in outdoor settings, no person-to-person contact or sports routinely requiring players to be within 6 feet of one another, additional requirements)—June 22
  • Youth summer programs (no residential or overnight camps, must submit attestation that they will follow requirements)—July 6
  • In-person clinical research/labs
  • Limited fitness/gyms
  • Limited in-person government services
  • Museums/libraries

Stage 3 Stage 3 may include allowing the following to reopen:

  • Expanded dining
  • Critical in-office work
  • Limited entertainment
  • Expanded personal care
  • Bars with limited capacity

Precautions across all stages: * Work that can be done from home should continue to be done from home.

  • Clinically high-risk individuals who can stay at home should continue to do so.
  • All residents and businesses should follow state and federal safeguarding guidelines: wash hands; wear masks in public; respect social distancing; minimize gatherings; disinfect workplace and businesses; and no mass gatherings

Reactions

  • On May 18, Murphy said, "Through our combined efforts, we have flattened the curve of COVID-19 cases, and we are well-positioned to continue our restart and recovery process. … Our multi-stage approach uses science, data, and facts to determine which businesses and activities can reopen according to their risk level and challenges they face to safeguard public health. Additionally, we will be guided by our ability to protect against a new COVID-19 outbreak with expanded testing and contact tracing, and clear social distancing safeguards in place. We are currently in Stage 1, and we will aim to move through each stage quickly, but also judiciously, with the public health of our communities and all New Jerseyans in mind."
  • On May 29, Politico reported that State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D) said, "The stay-at-home order has been critical in helping flatten the curve. The State is continuing to show positive signs that we are on the road to reopening our economy. That said, I support efforts to look to reopen parts of our economy more quickly, on a moving-forward basis."
  • On May 27, the state Senate Republican Caucus sent Murphy a letter saying,

"We urge you to offer clarity about the milestones that must be reached for small shops you have deemed 'nonessential' to reopen their doors to customers, for restaurants to serve diners, and for congregations to meet again in houses of worship. Many of those places are ready today to operate safely through the same precautionary measures that we trust to protect us when we visit a supermarket or other 'essential retail' business. “In the absence of specific benchmarks for reopening from your administration, we urge you to review the many thoughtful reopening plans that have been submitted to you by counties, trade groups, and chambers of commerce. If those plans meet CDC guidelines, you should authorize them to be enacted immediately."


Coronavirus resources

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.

State resources

Twitter feeds for government officials and agencies appear below.

Federal resources

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub, "Governor Murphy Signs Legislative Package on Elections to Support This Year’s General Election," August 28, 2020
  2. ↑ The New York Times, "New Jersey Will Hold Mail-in Election in November, Over Trump’s Objections," August 14, 2020
  3. ↑ Office of the Governor of New Jersey, "Executive Order No. 144," May 15, 2020
  4. ↑ Office of the Governor of New Jersey, "Executive Order No. 120," April 8, 2020
  5. ↑ Ballot Access News, "New Jersey Extends Independent Candidate Petition Deadline and Allows Electronic Signatures," April 8, 2020
  6. ↑ Office of the Governor of New Jersey, "Governor Murphy Announces Changes to Upcoming New Jersey Elections in Response to COVID-19," March 19, 2020
  7. ↑ [https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-107.pdf Nj.gov', "Executive Order No. 107", March 21, 2020
  8. ↑ nj.com, "N.J. coronavirus stay-at-home order lifted by Murphy as state reopening moves forward," June 9, 2020
  9. ↑ New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC)', "I’m not sure if my business needs to close due to the State’s COVID-19 directives—what additional guidance is there?," accessed March 26, 2020
  10. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  11. ↑ South Jersey Observer, "New Jersey Courts Set To Resume Jury Trials," accessed September 22, 2020
  12. ↑ New Jersey Supreme Court, "NOTICE TO THE BAR, "July 10, 2020
  13. ↑ app.com, "Reopening NJ: State courts to reopen for limited matters on June 22," June 11, 2020
  14. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts," June 2, 2020
  15. ↑ New Jersey Courts, "Judiciary Launches Virtual Grand Jury Pilot Program," May 15, 2020
  16. ↑ [https://njcourts.gov/notices/2020/n200424a.pdf?c=1hz Notice to the Bar, "COVID-19- SECOND OMNIBUS ORDER ON COURT OPERATIONS AND LEGAL PRACTICE - MORE OPERATIONS TO BE CONDUCTED REMOTELY; LIMITED DISCOVERY EXTENSIONS AND TOLLING PERIODS," April 24, 2020}
  17. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts," April 21, 2020
  18. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Mar30courts
  19. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts - March 24, 2020," March 24, 2020
  20. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus & The Courts," accessed March 19, 2020
  21. ↑ North Jersey, "Coronavirus: NJ Supreme Court chief justice orders two-week shutdown of municipal courts," March 14, 2020
  22. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named EvictMA
  23. ↑ NJ Spotlight, "After Slow Start, State Begins Furloughing Prisoners to Stem Spread of COVID-19," April 28, 2020
  24. ↑ NJ.com, "1,100 inmates could soon be released from N.J. prisons as coronavirus death toll rises," April 21, 2020
  25. ↑ NBC10 Philadephia, "NJ Reveals More Coronavirus Deaths; Some Prisoners to Get Home Confinement," April 10, 2020
  26. ↑ The Philadephia Inquirer, "Thousands of state prison inmates in Pa. and N.J. are now eligible for temporary release as governors act to avert coronavirus spread," April 10, 2020
  27. ↑ National Center for State Courts, "Coronavirus and the Courts - March 24, 2020," March 24, 2020
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