Governor Murphy extends COVID-19 state of emergency one more time

Charlie Dwyer

TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy today said the 15 month long state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic will be extended at least one more month. Today, the governor signed another 30 day extension on the declaration, but also said, this one could be his last.

As New Jersey continues to make progress in the fight against COVID-19 and with state metrics continuing to trend in the right direction, Governor Phil Murphy and his Administration have begun working with Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Coughlin on legislation that will end the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency in place since March 2020, while also ensuring that the Administration retains necessary tools to manage the ongoing threat to public health, as well as recovery and vaccination efforts.  

The Public Health Emergency was initially declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103.

Today, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 240, which extends that Public Health Emergency for another 30-day period, ending in mid-June. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed. If legislation is finalized ahead of the renewal date, the Public Health Emergency extended today will be allowed to expire.


“After an extremely difficult year, we are seeing the results of our mitigation efforts and our successful vaccination program,” said Governor Murphy. “In order to continue on the path to normalcy, we need all available resources to continue our progress in vaccinating New Jerseyans and finally beating back this pandemic. Our Administration is working closely with Senate President Sweeney and Speaker Coughlin on legislation that will allow the public health emergency to expire, but ensure that we have the necessary tools and flexibility to continue the fight against the pandemic, including the vaccination efforts that are our highest priority. By working together, we are confident that we can move to the next phase of our recovery effort.”

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