Gov. Murphy Quarantining After Family Member Is COVID Positive

NEW JERSEY - Gov. Phil Murphy has begun an isolation protocol after a family member's COVID-19 test came back positive, according to Communications Director Mahen Gunaratna.

“Per guidance from public health officials, the contact tracing process has begun to notify everyone who may have come into contact with the Governor’s family member during the potential infection window," Gunaratna said.

Murphy declined to identify the family member during his Wednesday news conference, although he did say it's not his wife, Tammy. She's tested negative.

Gunaratna noted that after a careful review, Murphy does not qualify as an exposed close contact to the family member, but is choosing to isolate regardless.

"Out of an abundance of caution and in line with the highest levels of commitment to protecting public health, the Governor will be canceling in-person events and voluntarily quarantining before resuming any in-person engagements," he said.

Murphy was tested Wednesday as part of his regularly-scheduled testing regime, which came back negative, officials said.

"From the beginning, the Governor has taken every precaution to limit the spread of COVID-19," Gunaratna said. "Today's exceedingly cautious steps are part of that ongoing commitment."

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