NJ: No To Live Graduations, 'Wave Parades' In Coronavirus Order

UPDATE: The Murphy administration is now saying it will allow some "wave parades," and it's not ruling out live graduations in NJ. Here's what's new. Read more: NJ Clarifies Live Graduation, 'Wave Parades' In Coronavirus Order

NEW JERSEY – The Murphy administration has clarified – somewhat – whatever confusion there may be about graduations while New Jersey's stay-at-home order is still in effect.

Col. Patrick J. Callahan, superintendent of the State Police, sent a letter Saturday to the state Department of Education and all public and non-public schools that said in-person ceremonies, including graduations, and all parades, including “wave parades,” violate Gov. Phil Murphy's "stay-at-home order."

"In the best interest of the health and safety of the public, in-person ceremonies, including graduations, all parades, including 'wave parades,' that invite people to gather at a certain location, proms and other similar celebrations violate the enumerated conditions of the order," Callahan wrote.

As a result, he said, those events "should therefore be canceled or postponed until such time as these restrictions are lifted."

"Until such time, virtual celebrations and other remote forms of recognition should take the place of any in-person or public ceremonies," Callahan wrote.

It wasn't clear if the order also applied to drive-by birthday celebrations that many have held in place of children's parties. Murphy previously said he will reluctantly allow them.

The update comes as Murphy has extended the state's public health emergency order to June 7, and schools were closed for the rest of the academic year. His stay-at-home order, however, is indefinite, and it's not clear when he plans to lift that. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Callahan said the order directs New Jersey residents "to remain at home except to obtain goods and services from identified essential businesses, to obtain takeout food/drink from dining establishments, to seek medical attention/law enforcement services, to visit family, report to work, exercise under specific guidelines, or leave home for educational, religious, or political reasons."

"It is also permissible to leave home for fear of health/safety concerns, or to leave home at the direction of law enforcement/government," he said. "But even when someone is leaving their home for a permissible reason, they are not allowed to participate in any gatherings."

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