Gov. Phil Murphy has extended the public health emergency declaration stemming from the coronavirus outbreak for another month.

 

The governor made the announcement Wednesday, and stressed the move was not a sign of any change in policy.

There are roughly 3,000 fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations from their peak three weeks ago, and nearly 600 fewer people on ventilators.

The governor says while progress is being made to beat the virus, the underlying conditions from the outbreak haven't improved enough to revoke the declaration.

 

"All of these numbers are pointing us in the right direction, and while they are positive, they still mean thousands of our fellow New Jerseyans are still in the hospital battling COVID-19,” says Gov. Murphy. “This is why I needed to extend the public health emergency. We're seeing good signs without question, but we cannot lull ourselves into thinking that all is well."

Gov. Murphy first signed the declaration in March, and renewed it in April. The declaration allows the governor to invoke emergency powers, such as ordering businesses to close. Gov. Murphy says he decided to extend the declaration because it automatically expires after 30 days and the underlying conditions making it necessary haven’t changed.

The latest extension will keep it in place through at least June 5.