Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Monday that day care workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo regular weekly testing.

The governor signed an executive order on Monday. Workers will have to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1. That would mean a second dose must be received by Oct. 17. The order also requires masking in day cares, just as in schools. A spokesperson for Murphy says the mask order at day cares won’t apply to children under age 2. The masking order takes effect Friday.

The governor signed an executive order on Monday. Workers will have to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1. That would mean a second dose must be received by Oct. 17. The order also requires masking in day cares, just as in schools. A spokesperson for Murphy says the mask order at day cares won’t apply to children under age 2. The masking order takes effect Friday.

There are some day care centers in New Jersey that were already requiring staff to be vaccinated before the governor’s mandate. And some of the owners say that it is to protect the state’s youngest children from the virus.

“They are one of the most vulnerable portions of the population, so why introduce that risk for them when they can’t get vaccinated,” says Andrew Winters, of Dear World Academy. “If adults can do their part, let’s just do our part.”

New Jersey teachers and staff in pre-K through 12th grade are already required to get the vaccine.

“The little guys can’t get vaccinated. And so much research is out there saying that children get COVID from unvaccinated adults in their lives,” says Christina Dorando, founder and CEO of Cresthill Academy.

Cresthill Academy is also requiring staff to be vaccinated. Dorando says that parents appreciate the efforts that are being taken to keep the children safe.

“Whatever we can do to protect these children who can’t get the vaccine…whatever we can do to protect them from COVID-19 and keep them safe, we will,” she says.

Pfizer recently announced that the vaccine is safe for children ages 5-11.