Office of the Governor | This Week in New Jersey: February 11th, 2022

GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCES THAT UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MASK MANDATE WILL BE LIFTED EFFECTIVE MARCH 7

Noting the significant decline of statewide COVID-19 metrics, Governor Phil Murphy announced that masks and facial coverings will no longer be mandated for students, staff, or visitors in schools and childcare centers effective March 7, 2022.

“I must thank the overwhelming majority of students, parents, administrators, educators, and support staffers who have worn their masks without problem or protest since our schools reopened for in-person learning. Thankfully, we have reached a point where we feel confident that we can take another step toward normalcy for our kids,” said Governor Murphy. “Given the continued drop in new cases and hospitalizations, projections indicating a continued decline over the coming weeks, and the continued growth of vaccinations for our school-aged population, we believe that we can responsibly end the universal mask mandate."

GOVERNOR MURPHY AND MAYOR BARAKA PARTICIPATE IN A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR MICHAEL REGAN

Governor Murphy and Mayor Baraka participated in a roundtable discussion in Newark with Vice President Harris, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, local residents, and lead service line replacement project workers from LiUNA Local 472. Roundtable participants discussed the completion of the lead service line replacement project in Newark, the historic funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to remove and replace lead service lines nationwide, and the impact of these initiatives on families and workers.

"A few months back, I said that if anyone wants to see what the future of America looks like, they should look to New Jersey. I am especially honored that our state can be a model for the nation in protecting our families and children from the dangers of lead," said Governor Murphy. "The nearly $170 million the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering to our state specifically for water infrastructure improvements this year alone could not be more perfectly timed. Through our Water Infrastructure Investment Plan, we will leverage this federal investment and ensure that funding reaches underserved communities."

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NJEDA APPROVES ENHANCEMENTS TO SUSTAIN AND SERVE PROGRAM AND ANNOUNCES PLANS TO OPEN $10M PHASE 3

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced that it will open applications for a new round of Sustain & Serve NJ funding early next month. The NJEDA’s Sustain & Serve NJ program provides eligible entities with grants up to $2 million to support the purchase of meals from New Jersey restaurants that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the distribution of those meals at no cost to recipients.

“Sustain & Serve NJ offers a multitude of benefits to New Jersey communities as they work to equitably recover from COVID-19,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “In addition to supporting the nonprofit organizations that play a crucial role within their communities, the program also helps local restaurants keep their doors open and their employees paid, while connecting individuals facing food insecurity with much-needed meals. We believe that Sustain & Serve NJ can be a national model for other states as they emerge from the economic impact of the pandemic.”

GOVERNOR MURPHY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER DIANE GUTIERREZ-SCACCETTI, AND TRENTON MAYOR REED GUSCIORA ANNOUNCE GRANT FOR TRENTON MOVES AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE-BASED URBAN TRANSIT SYSTEM PROJECT

Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, and Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora announced a $5 million NJDOT Local Transportation Project Fund Grant for the Trenton Mobility & Opportunity: Vehicles Equity System (MOVES) Project. The grant to the City of Trenton will support the planned start up and eventual deployment of 100 Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) that will provide an on-demand automated transit system to serve the 90,000 residents of Trenton.

“The Trenton MOVES project is an innovative solution to a longstanding transit deficit in the City of Trenton,” said Governor Murphy. “Using autonomous vehicle technology to combat inequities and to provide improved transportation in urban areas is a laudable and much needed effort. I am excited to see this project moving forward with the help of NJDOT, Mayor Gusciora, and Princeton University.

NJ TRANSIT BOARD APPROVES PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL MULTILEVEL RAIL CARS

The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors approved the purchase of 25 additional Multilevel III rail cars. The purchase exercises options on the original December 2018 contract with Alstom for the purchase of 113 new Multilevel III rail cars. The additional 25 cars in this action are funded as part of the Portal North Bridge project which will increase peak-hour peak-direction customer capacity.

“Early in our Administration, it became clear that NJ TRANSIT was in desperate need of new and refreshed rail equipment,” said Governor Murphy. “The purchase of these rail cars reflects the commitment that we made to New Jersey commuters and is one of many steps that we are taking to provide NJ TRANSIT customers with an improved and more reliable experience on the rails. These cars will also be an important element of the new Portal North Bridge, enabling NJ TRANSIT to utilize the bridge to its fullest potential.”