Gov. Phil Murphy

Gov. Phil Murphy visits East Side Mags in Montclair.

In order to be protected from evictions, renters will now have to certify their income and the effects of COVID-19 on that income with the state.

New Jersey and Essex County has the infrastructure to get Montclairians the vaccine, but supply from the federal government is an issue.

“Understanding everyone’s desire to get vaccinated as soon as possible, we understand people are anxious,” Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said.

As of Jan. 13, a total of 264,681 vaccine doses had been administered, including 236,503 first doses and 28,045 second doses. The total is expected to go up “exponentially” over the next week, Murphy said. 

Also: The state is dropping graduation assessment tests this year.

Firefighters and police officers, as frontline first responders, become eligible to for vaccination on Thursday, Jan. 7, as the state enters Phase 1B of its tiered plan. Paramedics were included in Phase 1A, and were already eligible for the vaccine. 

Before the month is out, state officials expect to open the rest of their sites, including one at the Racetrack at the Meadowlands, in East Rutherford. Healthcare workers may make an appointment at any of the mega-sites or satellite sites around the state.

Interstate sports competitions are still prohibited, since interstate travel for sports has been deemed to be a risk factor for spreading COVID-19. And attendance is limited to those who are directly involved in the game – players, coaches, referees and support staff – and no more than 10 spectators. 

Officials on Monday reported 2,745 new cases, compared to 2,329 on Dec. 27, bringing the total to 463,965 cases. Some 21 new deaths were reported, compared to 20 the previous day, bringing the total to 16,706.