Following updated guidance from the CDC, Senator Edward Durr called on Governor Murphy to immediately lift all COVID-19 vaccine mandates, including mandates for health care workers and those who are employed in nursing homes and correctional facilities.

Following updated guidance from the CDC, Sen. Ed Durr called on Gov. Murphy to lift all COVID vaccine mandates, including mandates for health care workers and those who are employed in nursing homes and correctional facilities. (Pixabay)

“Although I am pleased that Governor Murphy finally lifted the unnecessary COVID testing rules for teachers and state workers, more needs to be done,” said Durr (R-3). “To this day, health care workers, corrections officers, and those who work in nursing homes are still required to be vaccinated and boosted. These types of mandates do not provide any measurable benefit and are not even supported by the latest data. There is simply no reason for COVID vaccine mandates to still exist—they should all be abolished immediately.”

On August 15, Governor Murphy announced he would end the COVID testing mandate for teachers, child care workers, and state workers who did not receive the vaccine. Health care workers, and employees in congregant settings such as nursing homes and correctional facilities, would still be required to be vaccinated with at least one booster dose.

Durr, who sponsors legislation (S-1973) that would prohibit discrimination against workers who have not received a COVID vaccine or booster, criticized Murphy’s remaining mandates saying they did not align with the latest CDC guidance.

“It’s time for the Governor to do what he has said repeatedly over the past two years—follow the science,” added Durr. “Vaccine mandates are completely unnecessary and should be immediately rescinded so that New Jersey can join the rest of the nation and move on from this pandemic.”