Effective this Friday, February 25^th, all members of the New Jersey Legislature will no longer be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test and will also no longer need to be vaccinated in order to enter the assembly chambers. This is a huge swing and a big win for the Republican side of assembly.

Several months ago, several GOP legislative members made headlines by defying the requirement to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test and were blocked by state troopers— albeit briefly — from entering the ornate chamber.

At the time, Assembly member Erik Peterson said, “You have no right to stop us,” You see this? You see this, folks? Denying us entry into our house.” In several days, Peterson and many of his colleagues will get what they want.

The new rules approved by the State Capitol Joint Management Commission supersede strict virus restrictions enacted by Democratic legislative leaders in October 2020 and November 2021. The changes come as Governor Murphy recently announced the cancellation of the school mask mandates and as the CDC itself continues to shift its covid guidelines in a more liberal way. It also comes as Covid case counts continue to fall throughout the State.