Governor Phil Murphy has declared the end of COVID-19 briefings, but his emergency powers remain
Phil Murphy Photo 130146681 © Laurence Agron | Dreamstime.com

From the desk of Christopher DePhillips

TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips slammed Gov. Phil Murphy for keeping the public health emergency in light of his announcement that he is ending the Covid-19 briefings on Friday, March 4.

Murphy said that there is no “new news” regarding the public health emergency, which he reinstated on Feb. 10, at Wednesday’s weekly briefing.

“Instead of ending transparency by ceasing the public Covid briefings, he should end the public health emergency,” DePhillips (R-Bergen) said. “If he truly wanted to return to normal as he says he would stop his rule by executive order. His Covid briefings gave press the opportunity to question his mandates and motives. I don’t think anyone can point to any positives that come from continuing the public health emergency. It’s over.”

The current public health emergency is set to expire on March 12 but can be renewed for another 30 days under the Emergency Health Powers Act.