New Jersey Governor Expected To Close All Schools, May Impose Curfews to Slow Spread of COVID-19

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy

NEW JERSEY—New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to order all state schools to be closed, and may impose a state-wide curfew.

Murphy is expected to make additional announcements at some point today, Monday, March 16. 

The governor has also called on the federal government to open an emergency enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act to get health insurance. 

This as Murphy on Sunday announced the second death from the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, a woman in her 50s in Monmouth County. Earlier, a Little Ferry man died. 

Bergen County Executive James Tedesco says there are 42 presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Bergen County, including six in Englewood and 16 in Teaneck, where the community has been asked to self quarantine. There were 98 cases statewide as of yesterday.

The City of Hoboken has already imposed a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

All New Jersey water companies have voluntarily agreed to suspend shut-offs during this emergency, Murphy said. 

And the state has created an online portal for all businesses, small and large, to get answers to their questions and concerns as this emergency impacts the economy, the governor said. For more information, visit cv.business.nj.gov.

“We strongly urge everyone to practice social distancing,” said Murphy. “Even if you are young and feel entirely healthy, you can still spread coronavirus.”

He thanked those working on the front lines—”from public health workers, to janitors and custodians, to the people stocking grocery store shelves.”

“It will take our entire New Jersey family pulling together for us to emerge from this emergency stronger than before,” Murphy said. “We will have further announcements as warranted. We are committed to being proactive, and to getting through this together.”