Governor Phil Murphy hosted his coronavirus briefing at 1:00 Wednesday.  The governor introduced Dr. Perry Halkitis Dean of Public Health at Rutgers University and Deandrah Cameron representing the NJ Community Contact Tracing Corps.  Murphy said that, “New Jersey is creating a model for contact tracing that is unique among our peers.”  Tracers receive 18 hours of training who are “immersed in the culture” of the communities they work in.  “Our contact tracers… are being trained to see human faces.”  Murphy said 50,000 people “registered their interest” in becoming tracers since the initial application process opened on June 11.

Earlier today, Murphy said he spoke with the NY and CT governors.  “We’ve significantly lowered rates of transmission,” and put in strong protocols.  “Our states are among only 4… as being close to containing this virus.”  Advising visitors from “highly active” states with regards to infection, he said that they must “take proper measures” including a period of self quarantine.  “Ours was the most impacted in the nation… I think this is common sense, the responsible thing to do.”  Throughout the press conference, Murphy asked people to get tested.  “Get tested, we built the darn capacity.”

Murphy announced that more businesses would be able to open on July 2, including museums, libraries, and aquariums at 25%.  The quarter capacity indoor facilities also included bowling alleys, batting cages, and shooting ranges.  Movie theaters, performing arts centers, night clubs, gyms and fitness centers are closed, but by-appointment training sessions will be allowed.  “It brings us no joy to say that… we just are not there yet.”

The governor added that, “Inside is a whole different reality from outside” as far as infection risks were concerned.

“As with other indoor activities we must remain extra vigilant… we know it is easier to contract the virus in an indoor environment.  We require all these places to implement higher standards of sanitation, social distance, and wearing of face coverings at all times.  New guidance will come out later in the week…. The wearing of face coverings is and will be required for customers and employees and there can be no exceptions.”

Murphy’s particular focus was on indoor businesses and said that, “At least when you’re indoors you must be wearing a mask and if you’re not you will be refused service, period.”

Additionally, Murphy said on Monday, July 6, NJ Transit rail and light rail will return to a full weekday schedule.

The statewide COVID-19 count stands at 169,892 cases.  Murphy said eight counties have a transmission rate over 1.0 and ten counties saw Rt increase.  “We have to continue with social distancing… we are far from defeating COVID 19… there is no vaccine, no proven therapy.”

Even with the increase, Murphy said, the overall numbers are such that Trenton will continue with the Phase II restart.  “It isn’t just about you, it’s about all 9 million of us,” Murphy said, urging residents to be conscious of their personal responsibility in combating the spread.

In total, 12,995 New Jerseyans have been lost to the virus, as another 49 passed on.

Murphy urged residents to get tested and if a contact tracer should call, “answer that call, it’s about keeping COVID 19 on the run.”

Dr. Halkitis spoke about the NJ Community Contact Tracing Corps.  “Target, test, treat, and trace” are the pillars by which the Corps operates as it aims to train 1,000 personnel to provide support for local and county departments. The Corps demonstrates a highly diverse background, and multilingual, with an emphasis on cultural awareness and confidentiality.  He urged anyone contacted by a contact tracer to talk with them and said that at no time will a tracer ask for money, social security number, or documentation status.  For those interested, “please join us in fighting this horrible disease.”

Cameron said, “Your health is our number one priority and we can’t take any chances.”  She said contact tracing is one of the most efficient way to combat the spread.

Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli thanked Cameron, Halkitis, and the social support coordinators.  “Contact tracing is not new, it’s a long standing practice.”  She said that the ComCare Rollout would incorporate Atlantic, Burlington, Gloucester, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Salem.  All counties will be using the platform by July 6 will go live on the ComCare system.  She praised the NJ residents in combating the spread, “if a contact tracer calls, please answer the call…”  She also emphasized the need for people to cooperate with contact tracers to help protect people.  Saying that isolating is a difficulty, Persichilli said resources were available, including housing and community support for job protection and unemployment benefits are available.  For family resources, childcare and food assistance resources were available as well.  “Tell the tracers about who you’ve been with, where you’ve been, and share what help you may need.”

Overall, New Jersey has a virus positivity rate of 2.83% – 3.08% in the north, 1.82% in the central, 3.92% in the south.

Colonel Callahan had no executive order violations to report from the past night.

When asked about Biden’s VP choice and what Murphy thought, the governor said, “The decision on who the Vice President is, is Vice President Biden’s decision but I think there’s an overwhelming sense that the pick will reflect the diversity of the Democratic Party and the nation.”

Murphy took a question for his perspective on the increased rate of transmission and out of state quarantine enforcement.  The governor said that he expected as the state opened up there would be some degree of increase, but that they were watching trends very carefully.  “I would just say, as we open up more our risks go up, there’s no question about that and they go up in particular on the indoor stuff more than the outdoor stuff.”

Regarding the ability to enforce the quarantines for those coming into NJ, Murphy said, “Constitutionally we are not able to put up border checks around New Jersey.”  He said that travel from one state to the next is allowed but that, “We’re asking folks to take on a big amount of personal responsibility to do the right thing…”  If the health commissioner sees “a particular non compliant behavior, she can attack that directly.”  Murphy did not specifically say how violations would be punished, but that the health commissioner would have the ability to address them.

Asked how local barber shops and such would remain in compliance, Persichilli said it was primarily on the local health departments to monitor those situations.  “They are up to the task,” she said, adding that “the call is for everyone to do their part.”

Murphy said “Folks want to have the confidence in their bones that we’re back up and ready… they understand this notion that indoors is harder than outdoors.”

Murphy said he isn’t aware of any evidence that the Black Lives Matter protests have led to an increase of youth infections, but more likely an increase in indoor activities.

Already, 900 contact tracers have been working but the state intends to hire 2400-4000 more contact tracers as they finish training.

Murphy said that, “We have deferred or cut $5.2 billion of expenditures” and that “on that list it is littered with some of our highest priorities… we had no choice. Our expenses shot through the roof, our revenues have fallen off a cliff.  We’re cornered.”  The governor asked residents to contact their Representatives and Senators  to make their voices heard that direct federal cash assistance was needed.  This, in conjunction with bonding, would be the “only two ways out” of the state’s budgetary problem.