N.J. governor discourages interstate travel, will issue new travel policy in coming days

With the Thanksgiving holiday a day away, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said on Wednesday that the state will no longer use the metrics that were previously used for travel advisories related to COVID-19.

Murphy said travelers and residents returning from any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) should self-quarantine at their homes, hotels, or other temporary lodging places for 14 days.

“As COVID-19 cases continue to rise at an alarming rate throughout our nation, New Jersey will no longer utilize previously outlined metrics to inform its travel advisory,” Murphy said in a written statement. “Given the increased risk of spreading COVID-19 for both residents who travel outside the state and for visitors into the state, New Jersey continues to strongly discourage all non-essential interstate travel at this time.”

The state previously issued regular travel advisories calling on visitors and residents who arrived from certain states and territories where COVID-19 was spreading at a higher rate to self-quarantine for 14 days when they arrived in New Jersey. As of last week, almost every state in the country met the state’s criteria for travelers to New Jersey to self-quarantine.

Murphy said the New Jersey Department of Health will issue additional information in the coming days regarding travel precautions. “Individuals should continue to abide by the state’s current guidance until a new policy is issued,” he said.