On May 24, New Jersey Gov. Murphy issued executive order (EO) No. 242, a sweeping EO that lifts significant COVID-19 restrictions and adopts other measures in a two-phased approach aimed at reopening the state – some restrictions to lift May 28 and others June 4. Notwithstanding the weighty nature of these latest steps, masks and social distancing requirements remain in place at many locations, including corporate offices, schools, public transportation, and health care settings, and employers and businesses retain the authority to adopt more stringent measures. The governor reported that New Jersey’s ability to reach key COVID-19 benchmarks, including a sizable increase in vaccinations, coupled with significant decreases in COVID-19 cases and rates of transmission, formed the necessary prelude to taking these steps forward.