Gov. Murphy: NJ Schools Aren't Going Remote Due To COVID-19 - Yet

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy said there are no plans to shift all New Jersey schools – yet – to all-remote, despite the sharp rise in cases in recent weeks.

At a Thursday afternoon press conference, Murphy addressed the "irresponsible" rumor circulating social media:

"We are not closing our schools," Murphy announced.

Speaking to the Today Show on NBC, the governor elaborated that shifting to all-remote is something that "could happen," but he's pleased with the success of schools so far.

Murphy made the remarks despite mounting pressure from teachers' unions to shift to all-remote.

"That's not the case," Murphy said, addressing rumors that New Jersey will switch to all-remote. "That's something that could happen, but at the moment, back-to-school two months in has worked quite well."

Murphy said he's "very concerned" that New Jersey's numbers are "going in the wrong direction." That's why he's closing restaurants and bars beginning at 10 beginning on Thursday, and bar seating will be changed. Read more: Gov. Murphy Clarifies New Rules For NJ Indoor Dining, Barbers

Although he noted on the Today Show that "we're getting into a neighborhood that is extremely concerning," Murphy said he has no "red line" for ordering further closures.

“Any decision restricting in-person learning at schools statewide would be based on health data and guidance from experts in the health and education fields," a spokeswoman for the governor’s office told NJ Advance Media.

As coronavirus cases continue to spike in the state, some school districts in North and South Jersey have reported delays in implementing the next phases of reopening, while others have switched to virtual classes for the remainder of 2020. Read more: East Brunswick School District To Go All-Remote Through Jan. 11

As of Thursday morning, the state reports 36 separate school outbreaks and 146 cases linked to school outbreaks. That includes six confirmed outbreaks in Camden County (with 45 linked cases), five confirmed outbreaks in Bergen County (with 15 linked cases) and four confirmed outbreaks in Ocean County (with 13 linked cases).

Montclair public schools, which have operated remotely since the school year began, were slated to start offering in-person classes on Nov. 9. The restart date was delayed in late October after a confirmed case at Watchung Elementary School. The date has been delayed once again "until it's safe to change course," according to district officials. Related: Montclair Schools Delay Reopen Plan: 'Community Spread Of COVID'

New Jersey on Tuesday announced its highest daily case total since April – 3,877 – and the state's highest death toll since July: 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ COVID-19 Numbers Going 'In Wrong Direction'

Some New Jersey’s teachers' unions continue to call for all schools to stay or go virtual until it is safe for students and school staff to be in the classroom, according to NJ Advance Media.

“I’m not a fan of home rule when it comes to a lot things, but I’m definitely not a fan of home rule when it comes to worldwide pandemics,” John Abeigon, president of the Newark Teachers Union, told the publication.

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