COVID New Jersey: NJ school staff, state workers who need the COVID vaccine or undergo testing

TRENTON, New Jersey (WPVI): All preschool teachers up to 12th grade and other New Jersey school personnel will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo testing.

This order also applies to state employees.

At a news conference Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy said employees should get vaccinated before Oct. 18.

Anyone who is not vaccinated then will have to undergo regular testing. Murphy said the tests will be a minimum of one to two times each week.

VACCINE MANDATE FOR NJ SCHOOL WORKERS

The immunization mandate for school staff includes all public, private, and parish preschool programs, along with elementary and high schools, including charter and Renaissance schools.

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

“We continue to do everything we can to ensure a safe start to the school year. Strong mask and vaccination protocols, along with other safety measures, are our best established tool for keeping our schools open full-time, personal instruction.” said Murphy.

Along with teachers, the order also includes administrators, educational support professionals, those who provide food, custody or administrative support services, and substitute teachers, whether hired directly by a school or otherwise hired, and other school employees.

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

Professor Debbie Gentile said she is already vaccinated and supports Murphy’s executive order, but said it puts some employees in a difficult position.

“It’s hard to tell someone that in order for them to work in the school system, they have to get vaccinated,” said Gentile, a Somers Point teacher. “Some people don’t believe in getting vaccinated and then doing a test 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 vaccination mandate.

Employees in state agencies, public authorities and colleges and universities are required to complete a full course of vaccination before October 18 or to undergo regular testing at least once to twice a week.

NYC SCHOOL WORKERS SHOULD ALSO BE VACCINATED

On Monday, New York City announced a similar vaccine requirement.

Mayor Bill de Blasio says public school employees must have received at least one dose by Sept. 27. The new vaccination policy will not allow weekly testing as an option.

Murphy’s announcement comes on the same day that the U.S. fully approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, a milestone that may help raise public confidence in the shots as the nation fights the most contagious coronavirus mutant to date.

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