COVID Omicron Variant Prompts NJ Travel, Masking Changes

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey is preparing for the inevitability of the new coronavirus variant hitting the Garden State, with Gov. Phil Murphy reminding residents this week that the best way to protect themselves against the virus is to get vaccinated.

Speaking during a news conference Monday afternoon, Murphy said the state is not taking any new steps to stop the spread at this point, but that it will continue to follow the state of emergency protocol it put in place at the start of the pandemic last year.

“As our region is a hub for international travel and commerce, we must be ready now,” Murphy said about the new Omicron variant during a news conference Monday afternoon. “The department of health is prepared to quickly identify Omicron through both PCR testing and virus sequencing and protocols.”

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus that emerged last week has already resulted in a new travel ban that took effect Monday. Murphy said he is concerned about flights from South Africa, which is one of the countries covered by the ban put in place by President Joe Biden over the weekend.

"We're speaking to the White House today," Murphy said. "It's something we're watching very closely. It's definitely a time to mindful of where you're going."

With the holidays on the horizon, Murphy added that he strongly recommends wearing masks indoors and outside when social distancing cannot be maintained, and to take family gatherings outside if the weather allows for it.

But he also cautioned residents not to get hysterical about the latest variant.

"Are we taking this seriously? Are we sober about it? Are we going to look to make decisions based on the science and the data and the facts as they become known? Absolutely," Murphy said. "In the meantime, we strongly encourage folks to do the things that we know work."

South African health officials first reported a case of the Omicron variant to the World Health Organization (WHO) one day before Thanksgiving. Subsequent cases reported in Belgium, Israel, Hong Kong and Britain prompted Biden to impose travel restrictions on eight countries to prevent its spread in the U.S.

That ban on travel that took effect Monday includes South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.

Biden on Monday said he expects to see cases of the new variant to be in the United States sooner or later, and after former Food and Drug Administration head Dr. Scott Gottlieb told CBS's "Face The Nation" that the variant is likely already here.

"There are already two cases in Canada, and I'm no expert, but I'll be stunned if it's not already in the United States," Murphy said.

He noted that the state is closely following the research and emergence of new cases, while not forgetting the threat posed by the Delta variant, which has resulted in more than 99 percent of coronavirus cases in New Jersey recently. It is too early to tell what the trajectory of the virus will be, Murphy said.

"Get vaccinated and get boosted," Murphy said. "The booster is a necessity."

About 29 percent of residents who are eligible for a booster shot have received one, and New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said that number has to increase.

"Increasing boosters is vital to blunting the impact of this and any other new variant that may occur," Persichilli said.

On Sunday, Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy and three of their four children all received booster shots of the coronavirus vaccine at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch. Read more here: Gov. Murphy, His Wife And 3 Children All Get Booster Shots

As of Monday, more than 6.1 million New Jersey residents had been vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to the state Department of Health. More than 100,000 children ages 5 to 11 have been vaccinated.

Over the weekend, the WHO said the “variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning.” The organization said the omicron variant, also known as variant B.1.1.529, “has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves, for example, on how easily it spreads or the severity of illness it causes.” Read more here: WHO Says Omicron Variant Has Mutations That Are 'Concerning'

Like other variants of the coronavirus, symptoms of the omicron variant include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea