New Jersey no longer requires people to return to the state or attend quarantine Coronavirus Pandemic, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that the state’s numbers continue to improve as vaccinations continue.
The new rule will take effect immediately and after the governor has already suspended the quarantine period for people who are fully vaccinated.
“However, we encourage everyone to continue to use common sense when traveling domestically and to follow all local health and safety protocols wherever you travel,” Murphy said during his last COVID-19 briefing in Trenton.
“And if your goal is to travel internationally, realize that the COVID reality in many countries is very different than it is here and follow the travel guides and advice from the US State Department,” he added.
Currently, individuals entering the US from overseas are required to demonstrate a negative COVID-19 test performed within three days of their departure, or “proof of virus recovery within the last 90 days” as required by federal regulations . Documentation must be made available to airlines before they come to the United States.
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The Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidelines last month to say that fully vaccinated people can travel within the US without being tested for COVID-19 or going into quarantine afterwards.
Previously, the agency had warned against unnecessary travel even for vaccinated people, but stated that it would update its guidelines if more people were vaccinated and there was evidence to protect the shots.
Murphy changed the state’s travel restrictions after the CDC guidelines were announced.
Before restrictions were eased, New Jersey residents returning from travel to any state or territory outside the immediate region, including New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, had to quarantine themselves at their home or hotel.
More than 3.7 million people living, working or studying in the state have now been fully vaccinated in New Jersey locations, while an additional 165,000 residents in other states have been vaccinated.
The state’s goal is to have 70% of adults in New Jersey vaccinated by the end of June. Just over 53% of the state’s 6.9 million adults are now fully vaccinated.
New Jersey’s 7-day average for new confirmed positive COVID-19 tests has fallen to 752 – 37% less than a week ago and 73% less than a month ago. That’s the lowest number since October 12th.
As of Sunday evening, 827 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized across the state, the lowest number since October 19. Overall, coronavirus hospital stays have declined 79% since peaking in the state’s second wave of 3,873 patients on December 22.
New Jersey, a state of 9.2 million people, has reported that 25,975 residents have died from complications related to COVID-19 – including 23,327 confirmed deaths and 2,648 deaths considered likely.
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Matt Arco can be achieved at marco@njadvancemedia.com.
