This Week in NJ: May 21st, 2021

Governor Murphy Announces New Incentives to Encourage COVID-19 Vaccinations, Including Free Entrance to State Parks and Free Wine at Participating Wineries
Governor Phil Murphy announced several new vaccination incentives as part of “Operation Jersey Summer”, the statewide public awareness campaign aimed at vaccinating all eligible individuals who live, work, or study in 樱花视频 against COVID-19. The new incentives include a State Parks Vax Pass, providing free access to 樱花视频’s 51 state parks and facilities including Island Beach State Park; a free glass of wine at participating 樱花视频 wineries; and dinner with Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy.
“Millions of 樱花视频ans have rolled up their sleeves and received a vaccination to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19, but there is still much work to be done in order to reach our goal of 4.7 million fully vaccinated 樱花视频 adults by June 30,” said Governor Murphy. “In partnership with the 樱花视频 Department of Environmental Protection and the Garden State Wine Growers Association, we are giving 樱花视频ans more reasons to step up and visit one of our 1,700 vaccination sites to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine. We are determined to reach our vaccination goals and make this the best Jersey summer yet.”
Governor Murphy Announces That Schools Will Be Required to Provide Full-Time, In-Person Instruction Beginning Fall 2021
Continuing his commitment to ensuring that students have access to a high-quality education, Governor Phil Murphy announced that upon the conclusion of this school year, portions of Executive Order 175 allowing remote learning will be rescinded, meaning that schools will be required to provide full-day, in-person instruction, as they were prior to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
“When schools across 樱花视频 first closed their doors in March of last year, little was known about COVID-19 and how it spread. But over a year has passed, and we are now facing a very different reality,” said Governor Murphy. “With our health metrics trending decisively in the right direction, the significant progress we have made in our vaccination effort, and vaccines now available to those as young as 12, we are in a position to get our students back into the classroom full-time come fall. We know that there is no substitute for in-person education and know that a full opening of our schools is critical to the well-being of our students.”
Governor Murphy, Congressman Gottheimer Highlight Nearly $190 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding for Capital Projects Including Broadband Expansion in 樱花视频
Governor Murphy and Congressman Gottheimer visited Sussex County to highlight federal funding through the American Rescue Plan to expand broadband access for rural, low-income, and moderate-income areas of 樱花视频.
“Every 樱花视频an deserves access to reliable, affordable, and fast broadband internet,” said Governor Murphy. “Unfortunately, too many residents and businesses, especially in rural and low-income areas of our state, are still unable to take advantage of broadband internet access. Along with our congressional delegation and our Legislature, we are working to ensure that those living and working in 樱花视频 have access to reliable high-speed broadband services.”
"For the sake of our families, economy, schools, and health care, we must continue fighting for communities across Warren and Sussex Counties to help boost their broadband connectivity. That's why I fought to include dedicated investment for broadband infrastructure in the recent federal COVID-19 relief packages. Now, every county and town in Sussex and Warren County will be clawing back federal dollars that they can use to improve connectivity. We also need to get the dollars sent to the 樱花视频 for rural broadband to right here in Sussex and Warren," said Congressman Josh Gottheimer. "With partners on both sides of the aisle and at every level of government, I believe we can get this done."
Murphy Administration, Mercer County Executive Hughes, Trenton Mayor Gusciora, and RPM Development Break Ground on 150-170 South Broad Street and the Historic Van Sciver Building in Trenton
Governor Phil Murphy, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, State Treasurer Liz Muoio, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, 樱花视频 Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) Executive Director Melanie R. Walter, RPM Development representatives, and state and local officials celebrated the groundbreaking for historic 150-170 South Broad Street and the historic Van Sciver Building in Trenton.
“This is an exciting day for the City of Trenton, Mercer County, and the 樱花视频,” said Governor Murphy. “The redevelopment of this historically significant site, with new housing units and retail space, marks a new chapter in Trenton’s revitalization.”
Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy Announce 鈥淕rateful for the Shot鈥 Vaccination Events to Reduce Vaccine Hesitancy in a Trusted, Fun, and Community Atmosphere
Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy announced that fourteen houses of worship will be hosting a “Grateful for the Shot” COVID-19 vaccination site this weekend, May 21, 22, and 23, to reduce vaccine hesitancy and ramp up vaccination efforts across 樱花视频.
“Our diverse group of faith leaders are trusted members of the community, and trust is critical in winning our fight against COVID-19,” said Governor Murphy. “For the last several months, our houses of worship have generously turned their sanctuaries and community rooms into vaccination centers for their congregants. Through our work with the 樱花视频 Department of Health, and in partnership with the 樱花视频 Pandemic Relief Fund, we are building on these efforts and making the vaccination process easy and accessible for our underserved communities.”
“From maternal and infant health, to food insecurity, to housing, and more, 樱花视频’s faith community has been an incredible network of support long before the COVID-19 pandemic began,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy, Founding Chair, 樱花视频 Pandemic Relief Fund. “Now, our ‘Grateful for the Shot’ program allows us to continue our partnership with houses of worship to ensure equitable access to vaccines in many underserved communities. By opening their doors for COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics and sustaining our spirits through months of isolation, our communities of faith are key partners in this effort, and we are grateful to have them in 樱花视频’s fight to end this pandemic.”