New Jersey COVID: NJ School Staff, State Employees Must Get COVID Vaccine Or Test

TRENTON, New Jersey (WPVI) – All K-12 teachers and other school staff in New Jersey will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or be tested.

This ordinance also applies to state employees.

At a press conference on Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy said staff members were to be vaccinated by October 18.

Anyone who is not vaccinated by then will need to have regular testing. Murphy said the tests will be done at least once or twice a week.

VACCINE MANDATE FOR NJ SCHOOL WORKERS

The immunization mandate for school personnel includes all public, private and parochial preschool programs, as well as elementary and secondary schools, including charter and Renaissance schools.

The ordinance also applies to full-time and part-time employees.

“We continue to do everything possible to ensure a safe start to the school year. Strong masking and vaccination protocols, coupled with other security measures, are our best consolidated tool to keep our schools open on time. full, in personal instruction, ”Murphy said.

In addition to teachers, the order also includes administrators, educational support professionals, those who provide food, child care or administrative support services, and substitute teachers – whether employed directly by a school or under contract – and other school employees.

“I think it protects everyone,” said Traci Crespo, kindergarten teacher at Vineland. “I just think everyone’s personal opinion… it’s just a touchy subject. Personally, I just want to get back to normal. Whatever it takes to get back to what it was two ago. years.”

Teacher Debbie Gentile said she was already vaccinated and supported Murphy’s decree, but said it put some employees in a tough spot.

“It’s hard to tell someone that in order for them to work in the school system they need to be vaccinated,” said Gentile, a teacher at Somers Point. “Some people don’t believe in getting the vaccine and then getting tested for what every week? That’s a lot.”

VACCINE MANDATE FOR NJ STATE WORKERS

Murphy also announced Monday that all workers in the state of New Jersey will be under the same vaccine mandate.

People employed in state agencies, authorities, and public colleges and universities must complete a full immunization course by October 18 or undergo regular testing at least once or twice a week.

NYC SCHOOL WORKERS MUST ALSO BE IMMUNIZED

New York City announced a similar vaccine requirement on Monday.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said public school workers should have received at least one dose by September 27. The new vaccination policy will not allow optional weekly testing.

Murphy’s announcement comes the same day the United States gave full approval to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, an important step that could help boost public confidence in the gunfire as the nation battles the mutant from most contagious coronavirus to date.

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