New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has released Executive Order No. 192. In response to the upward trend in COVID-19 infections throughout the state as a result of gradual re-opening of the economy, the governor has put in place certain safety protocols to prevent another COVID spike. Employers are required to take the following measures with regard to employees at a physical worksite:

- Enforce 6 feet social distancing regulations in all areas of the workplace. Where possible, physical barriers between individuals should be erected;

- Enforce the wearing of facemasks by all individuals entering the premises unless impracticable. Employers may allow employees to remove these masks if the proper 6 feet of social distancing is maintained between employees at all time;

- Provide PPE to employees at no cost;

- Provide sanitation materials approved by the EPA;

- Enforce the practice of proper hygiene, especially when dealing with the public (gloves are optional);

- Implement a regime of thorough and routine cleaning regimen;

- Conduct daily health screenings of all employees and bar any failing employees from the worksite. Employees may be allowed to use leave under state and federal leave laws (such as the FFCRA or the New Jersey Earned Sick Leave Law) if such leave applies;

- Inform all employees found to be COVID-19 positive as soon as possible;

As always, these regulations have exceptions for healthcare personnel/law enforcement/first responders/emergency workers when these regulations would impede their duties on the job. This order also does not apply to government entities in the same circumstances.

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJ DOL) will develop training programs and notice for both employees and employers in the coming weeks. This mandate is effective from November 5, 2020.

You can read the entire Executive Order HERE.