On September 15, 2021, the State of New Jersey announced that all workers in pre-school to Grade 12 schools, certain health care facilities, state agencies, authorities, colleges and universities, as well as all child care workers must receive vaccines against COVID-19 or face testing one to two times a week. Employees at certain state and private health care facilities must comply with the vaccine by September 7, 2021. All workers at pre-school to Grade 12 schools, and public colleges or universities must receive the vaccine or prepare to comply with testing by October 18, 2021. Additionally, employees at state agencies and other state authorities must comply by October 18. Child care facilities’ employees must receive the vaccine or get weekly testing by November 1, 2021.
Additionally, on September 13, 2021, the federal government announced most health care workers, all federal executive branch employees, all federal contractors, and businesses with 100 or more employees must receive the vaccine by November 22, 2021. But, some employees may receive exemptions and reasonable accommodations because of disability or religious objection.
However, despite these regulations, an individual employer can impose vaccination or testing requirements that are more stringent.
New Jersey Cities Vaccines Mandates
Specific cities within New Jersey are also sharing vaccine requirements for city employees. On September 8, 2021, the City of Trenton announced a policy requiring employees of the City of Trenton to be vaccinated by October 18, 2021. Non-vaccinated individuals must get twice-weekly testing at their own cost.
The Mayor announced in mid-August that the City of Newark requires all city employees to receive the vaccine. But exemptions are available for religious or disability reasons. Additionally, this policy led to litigation, with the most recent decision on September 27, 2021, upholding the city’s vaccine mandate.
The Mayor of Hoboken announced on July 30, 2021, that Hoboken employees must be fully vaccinated by August 9 or submit to testing. Individuals without the vaccine must submit to COVID-19 tests weekly. Additionally, the employees must wear face coverings inside and when interacting with the public.