3-06-2022 1:33am

Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Lifting COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

4 March 2022 –

Governor Murphy announced the signing of Executive Order No. 292, ending the state’s COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and dropping statewide mask mandates in schools and daycares.

“With COVID-19 moving into an endemic, the time has come to move toward normalcy. In the past two years, New Jerseyans have shown great strength, resiliency, and kindness during one of the most difficult and trying times in the history of our state. The steps I am taking today have been made possible by our highly-successful vaccination efforts and the collective efforts of the people of our state.” – Governor Murphy.

Executive Order 292 ends the statewide Public Health Emergency declared in EO No. 280, effective Monday, March 7, 2022.

The state of emergency declared in EO No. 103 will remain in effect “to ensure that the State continues to have necessary resources as COVID-19 is managed on an endemic level.”

EO 103 will allow the state to receive and distribute federal funding “without any unnecessary red tape or bureaucratic obstacles.”

“Conditions have improved in our state--immunity is high, cases have dropped significantly, therapeutics have improved, and testing is rapid and readily available. So, it does make sense to relax restrictions as we learn to live with the virus. But taking masks off doesn’t mean that other strategies should be abandoned. In fact, they become more important. So, please continue to wash your hands frequently, physically distance, stay home when you’re sick, and get vaccinated and boosted to protect yourselves, your families, your friends, and our children.” – Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.

“For nearly two years, New Jersey’s school communities have persevered through countless challenges brought on by COVID-19 – always with the shared goal of protecting the health and safety of our school staff, students, and their families. While we recognize this virus has been unpredictable, we look forward to this next milestone in our road ahead.” – Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of Education.

More Executive Orders still in effect:

EO Nos. 111 , 112 , 207 , 252 , 253 , 283 , 290

Read a copy of Executive Order No. 292