State & Federal Updates

General Information

Updated: July 8, 4:00 p.m.

• NEW! The Governors of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut announced that individuals traveling to or returning to New Jersey from states with increasing rates of COVID-19 are advised to self-quarantine for 14 days. This includes travel by train, bus, car, plane and any other method of transportation. As of Tuesday, July 7, there are currently 19 states that meet the criteria. See the list and additional information at the NJ COVID-19 Information Hub.
• DCA announced the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which will provide temporary rental assistance to selected low and moderate income households who have experienced unemployment or reduced income due to the pandemic. For more information on the program and how to apply, visit www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/cverap.html. Enrollment opens July 6 and runs through July 10.
• Information from the NJ Department of Health and NJ Communicable Disease Service on COVID-19 Antibody testing (PDF).
• Governor Murphy unveiled a multi-stage approach to executing a responsible and strategic restart of New Jersey’s economy. Read the press release on the plan here: Strategic Restart of the NJ Economy (PDF).
  • The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health through Public Health (PDF)
• Senators Menendez and Cassidy introduced a bipartisan legislation to deliver critical, federal resources to states and communities on the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight. This legislation, the State and Municipal Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Act, targets $500 billion in emergency funding to every state, county and community in the country. Read more information on the bill here: Menendez, Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan SMART Fund to help Frontline States, Communities in COVID-19 Fight (PDF).
• The New Jersey Poison Information & Education System  published a story on the safe use of COVID prevention products. Read the information here: Safety, Sanitizing and Social Distancing (PDF)
• The State of New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness maintains a webpage dedicated to rumor control and disinformation surrounding COVID-19 to help the public distinguish between facts and rumors regarding the pandemic. This page will be updated as more information becomes available. See it here: COVID-19 Rumor Control and Disinformation.
• The Office of U.S. Senator Cory Booker has complied and shared a specialized resource guide for New Jerseyans, featuring important information for Frontline Workers, Homeowners and Renters, Veterans, New Jerseyans Abroad, and more. See the full list of resources here: A Coronavirus Pandemic Resource Guide for New Jerseyans.
• On March 20, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Department of Environmental Protection and Board of Public Utilities asked that every water provider, private or public, including those operated by municipal governments, suspend any water shut offs for reasons of non-payment, safe reconnection of anyone previously shut off, and a suspension of the use of liens as a collection practice until the outbreak of COVID-19 has subsided. Read the notice here: All Water Providers Asked to Suspend Shut Offs During Covid-19 Outbreak.
• On March 19, The Supreme Court of New Jersey extended the deadline for Tax Appeal Filings to May 1, or 30 days following a determination by the Governor that the State of Emergency declared under Executive Order No. 103 has ended. Read the order here: Extension of Property Tax Appeal Filing Deadlines Because of COVID-19 Coronavirus Concerns
• On March 17, the Social Security Administration closed all Social Security offices to the public for in-person service. The SSA can still be contacted by phone and online. Visit Social Security & Coronavirus for more information on get in touch with the SSA.