Themes and Insights
Look Inside
Order from USCCB
Covid 19 Guidance
Diocesan Policy for Social Meeting/Electronic Communication
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On August 15, 2022, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order (EO) 302, rescinding previous EO253. https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-302.pdf. EO253 required all workers, including volunteers, in schools to submit proof of vaccination or a weekly negative COVID test. EO302 removes this requirement effective immediately.
EO302 directs schools to continue to report information to the Department of Health using the COVID-19 SIC Module, as set forth in Executive Directive 21-011. This is the reporting module that schools have been using since last year. Nothing in EO302 prevents a school from maintaining a vaccination or testing policy implemented pursuant to EO253. If any circumstances change significantly to indicate considering such an action, the Schools Office will direct our schools.
Accordingly, schools do not need to conduct daily screenings for students and staff, assign cohorts, conduct screening testing, or quarantine exposed individuals. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask should be supported in their decision to do so. Schools may require that masks be worn in certain situations. This is at the discretion of each location. Schools need to continue to implement good infectious disease protocols, including: isolation of individuals who are symptomatic https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html; ensuring good ventilation; encouraging hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette; and thorough cleaning practices.
Awareness of COVID-19 Community levels and regular communication with the local health department remain important. As noted previously, COVID-19 information is to be reported in the Dept. of Health COVID-19 SIC Module. Please also continue to report cases to your local health department, especially as changes occur in the COVID-19 Community level.
The NJ Department of Health is expected to issue updated guidance for schools in line with the revised CDC guidance and EO302. While some local health departments will send that guidance directly to the schools that they have assisted, our office will also forward it to you.
We thank you for your continued support and cooperation in maintaining safe and healthy environments.