NJ COVID-19 Updates and More

Start 2023 on the right foot by joining a First Day Hike at a New Jersey state park, forest, or historic site. First Day Hikes are free and are a great way to get outside, exercise, experience history, enjoy nature, and celebrate the New Year with friends and family. More than 40 hikes and a lighthouse climb will be held across the state.

More than 1.5 million New Jerseyans live in "food deserts." Food deserts are areas that lack access to affordable fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, and other foods that make up the full range of a healthy diet.

A new program would offer financial incentives to encourage supermarkets and grocery stores to open new locations in New Jersey food desert areas. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) would like your feedback on this developing program. Two public listening sessions will be held via Zoom next week:

• Thursday, January 5th, 2023?? 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Friday, January 6th, 2023?? 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.?

Those unable to attend the Zoom sessions may provide feedback online.?You can also view an interactive map of New Jersey food deserts as identified by the NJEDA in consultation with other state agencies.

More options and record savings are available for residents seeking health insurance coverage at Get Covered New Jersey, the State's official health insurance marketplace.

Nine in 10 people who enroll through Get Covered New Jersey will qualify for financial assistance with health insurance premiums. Many will pay $10 a month or less in 2023, and no one will pay more than 8.5% of their income for health insurance through Get Covered New Jersey.

The Open Enrollment Period for 2023 coverage at Get Covered New Jersey will run from November 1st, 2022 to January 31st, 2023. Consumers must enroll by tomorrow, December 31st, 2022 for coverage starting January 1st, 2023; if they enroll by January 31st, 2023, coverage will begin February 1st, 2023.

If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. Until March 15th, 2023, people unable to pay their utility bills due to circumstances beyond their control, as well as people receiving certain types of public assistance, can receive forbearance by contacting their utility company.

Individuals or families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness can contact their county social service agency for assistance. After business hours, call 2-1-1 or visit NJ211.org.

More than three million residents are eligible for up to $1,500 in property tax relief under the ANCHOR program.

Tenants and renters who were previously ineligible because their unit was covered by a PILOT agreement can now apply for the ANCHOR benefit.

To be eligible for this year's benefit, you must have occupied your primary residence on October 1st, 2019. You must also file (or be exempt from) NJ income taxes. The deadline for filing has been extended to January 31st, 2023.

New Jerseyans are encouraged to take the necessary precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy in advance of upcoming holiday gatherings. Respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are currently circulating throughout the state.

Residents are particularly encouraged to stay up-to-date on COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, including receiving the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster when eligible.

Everyone six months of age and older is now eligible for the bivalent COVID-19 vaccinations that target recently circulating Omicron subvariants. COVID-19 vaccines are free to everyone. Find locations offering COVID-19 vaccines and boosters on the COVID-19 Vaccine Finder and Community Calendar.

Flu vaccines, which are often covered by insurers at little to no cost to individuals, can be found at pharmacies, health care provider offices, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and local health departments. FQHCs and health departments may also offer the flu vaccine at little to no cost for eligible uninsured or underinsured individuals.

Everyone is encouraged to take common sense measures to protect themselves and the people around them. This includes coughing or sneezing into your sleeve, washing your hands, staying home when you're sick, and wearing a mask if you or someone you're spending time with is at high risk of severe illness.

If symptoms appear, get tested for COVID-19. Free at-home test kits are available from the federal government and testing is offered for free at certain sites around New Jersey.?

Keep children home from school and child care centers if they are feeling unwell. Flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are impacting schools and child care settings in New Jersey right now.