Gov. Murphy Issues 6-Point NJ Reopen Plan In Coronavirus Crisis

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy offered a broad reopening plan on Monday, providing a six-point outline to "restart New Jersey and put the state on the road to recovery." (you can watch it here, below).

Murphy called the plan “The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health,” saying his stay-at-home executive order, which has been in effect since March 21, will remain in effect "until further notice." The plan also calls for a measurable drop in cases over a 14-day period before a reopen happens (see the plan below).

Murphy spoke as New Jersey continues to announce thousands of new cases every day and hundreds of new deaths. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Indeed, the Monday, April 27 announcement of 2,146 new cases was the lowest daily number in weeks, and the lowest single-day total in April.

"Until we give you all confidence that you should not be fearful, we cannot take further steps," Murphy said. "A plan that's needlessly rushed is a plan that will needlessly fail."

Murphy also made additional points:

• It's too early to tell if the reopening will be done on a county-by-county basis, but Murphy said that he's learning toward making "statewide decisions." The minute you open a park in one county, Murphy said, "you have the rest of the counties" showing up to enjoy the warm weather there.
• Murphy also hopes "we have some semblance of norm" at the Jersey Shore this summer, and beginning on Memorial Day weekend, but "I just don’t envision being in tight spaces without real restrictions on capacity and social distancing."
• The first workplaces and venues to reopen will be the ones where the state has a "high confidence" that social distancing can take place.
• Concerts, he said, are not going to happen "anytime soon."
• Murphy said he hopes "sooner or later" that parks can reopen, saying he may agree with the argument that they're essential "for mental health and other reasons."

At least one Jersey Shore town has come up with plans to reopen its beach, parks and stores if New Jersey eases restrictions. Read more: Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Suggests Possible Beach Reopen Plan

The six principles and key metrics, Murphy said, will guide "the process for lifting restrictions and restoring New Jersey’s economic health through public health."

Murphy said the roadmap is "designed with one goal only: to restore the health, strength and well-being of New Jersey for the long term."

“Our priority is to use science, data, and facts to put New Jersey on the road to recovery. In order to restore economic health, we must first promote public health,” said Murphy.

Murphy said the principles and metrics "are critical for giving New Jerseyans confidence that we will reopen our state with our public health protocols firmly in place and our health care system prepared."

"Restarting New Jersey’s economy and returning people to work will be done methodically, strategically, and responsibly,” he said.

The following six principles and key metrics will guide the process for lifting restrictions and restoring New Jersey’s economic health through public health, Murphy said.

Principle 1: Demonstrate Sustained Reductions in New COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations

• The state must show 14-day trend lines showing appreciable and sustained drop in cases, hospitalizations, and other metrics.
• Hospitals must step down from functioning under crisis standards of care.

Principle 2: Expand Testing Capacity

• The state must at least double current diagnostic testing capacity;
• The state must prioritize testing for health care workers, essential personnel, and vulnerable populations;
• The state must provide a flexible testing plan accessible to all residents;
• The state must expand partnerships with institutions of higher education, private-sector labs, and the federal government.
• The state must ensure that those who test positive are linked to a health care provider.

Principle 3: Implement Robust Contact Tracing

• The state must recruit and deploy an army of personnel who will identify and follow-up with contacts. The state Health Department has said it's going to need to hire anywhere from 15 to 81 contact tracers per 100,000 people, or 1,500 to 7,000 people statewide.
• The state must leverage technological data and innovative solutions to increase efficiency.
• The state must coordinate the approach of local and state health officials, which will have a coordinated county/regional component.

Principle 4: Secure Safe Places and Resources for Isolation and Quarantine

• To the greatest extent possible, the state must provide individuals who do test positive in the future with a safe and free place to isolate and protect others from COVID-19
• The state must ensure that quarantined contacts are provided supportive services, if needed.

Principle 5: Execute a Responsible Economic Restart

• The state must create the "Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission" to advise on the process and recommend responsible and equitable decisions
• The state must plan for a methodical and strategic return to work based on level of disease transmission risk and essential classification.
• The state must continue social distancing measures where feasible and appropriate
• The state must leverage any available federal funds and programs to support health care, individual, and small business recoveries.

Principle 6: Ensure New Jersey’s Resiliency

• The state must learn from the lessons of COVID-19 and prepare for the possibility of a resurgence
• The state must ensure hospitals, health care systems, and other health delivery facilities have inventories of personal protective equipment and ventilators;
• The state must build its own state personal protective equipment and ventilator stockpile;
• The must create a playbook for future administrations for the next pandemic.

Watch Murphy here:

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Here's what else you should know:

• Murphy offered a broad reopening plan on Monday, April 27, providing a six-point outline to "restart New Jersey and put the state on the road to recovery." Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues 6-Point NJ Reopen Plan In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order on Saturday, March 21, closing all non-essential business. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• Murphy announced on Monday, May 4 that schools will close for the rest of the academic year because of the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: New Jersey Schools Closed For Rest Of Academic Year: Gov. Murphy
• Murphy ordered stores across New Jersey on Wednesday, April 8 to require shoppers to wear face coverings or masks. Here's how you can get yours, and how the new rule will be enforced. Read more: NJ Shoppers Must Wear Masks: Where To Get Them, How It's Enforced
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• Murphy said during a live press conference on Wednesday, March 25 that he's ordering many day care centers to shut amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Shut Many Day Care Centers Amid Coronavirus Crisis
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory for New Jersey. Read more: CDC Travel Advisory For NJ: No Coronavirus Travel Ban From Trump
• Murphy announced on Tuesday, April 7 that state and county parks will close. Read more: Gov. Murphy Closes Parks On NJ Coronavirus Crisis's Deadliest Day

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.