>>> FUNDING FOR NJ STOPLIGHT NEWS IS SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

♪ >> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE FIRST SHIPMENT OF THE 70,000 PLUS DOSES OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S VACCINE ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE LATER THIS WEEK WITH FIRST SHOTS IN ARMS ON FRIDAY.

THE NEW VACCINE WILL ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE PRESSURE ON SUPPLY DEMANDS ACCORDING TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

BUT WHILE RESIDENTS HERE WAIT.

RESIDENTS IN NEW YORK BEGAN BOOKING APPOINTMENTS THIS MORNING.

NEARLY 2.2 MILLION VACCINES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED.

740,000 SECOND DOSES.

THE NEW PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MERCK AND J&J IS EXPECTED TO PUSH PRODUCTION INTO AN ALL OUT SPRINT.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS PROMISING ENOUGH VACCINE FOR EVERY ADULT AMERICAN BY THE END OF MAY.

THE DRUG MAKER WILL BE ABLE TO PRODUCE THE VACCINE AROUND THE CLOCK.

HEALTH EXPERTS SAY IT WILL TAKE LONGER TO GET THE SHOTS IN ARMS.

AND THERE'S ADDED CONCERN AS STATE HEALTH LEADERS IDENTIFIED AN UPTICK IN CASES OF VARIANCES.

THE FIRST TWO POSITIVE CASES OF THE P 1 OR BRAZILIAN VARIANT.

THE GOVERNMENT SAID THE J&J SHOT WILL MAKE MEANINGFUL CHANGES IN OUR LIVES WITHIN WEEKS.

>> IN THE MONTH OF MARCH FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, AN INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENT.

IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT JOHNSON & JOHNSON SUPPLY WE WILL NOT SEE THAT FOR A WEEK OR 2 BEYOND THIS.

IF YOU GET TO THE LAST WEEK OF MARCH AND FIRST WEEK OF APRIL, THE INFLECTION POINT IS EITHER SIDE OF EASTER, THE SUPPLIES WILL EXPLODE.

WE WILL BE IN A QUANTUMLY DIFFERENT PLACE.

>> WITH THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION MADE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT THAT INCLUDED TEACHERS AMONG THE GROUPS AND FAILED TO MENTION A NUMBER OF OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS ON THE NEW LIST.

AT THE END OF THE MONTH, PEOPLE WITH ASTHMA, CYSTIC FIBROSIS, AND THOSE WHO ARE OVERWEIGHT CAN SIGN UP.

>> 1 COMMUNITY HAS BEEN LEFT OUT.

RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES LEAVING INDEPENDENTLY OR WITH FAMILY.

BY STATE METRICS, THEY SAY THEY'VE BEEN FORGOTTEN.

>> GETTING COVID IS VERY SCARY.

>> KEVIN AND HIS TWIN BROTHER WENT INTO LOCKDOWN IN MARCH ALONG WITH THEIR CARETAKER.

THE TWINS HAVE CEREBRAL PALSY AND HOPE TO LAND ON THE PRIORITY LIST JUST LIKE RESIDENTS LIVING IN GROUP FACILITIES WHO ARE GETTING INOCULATED.

THOSE LIVING AT HOME DID NOT MAKE THE CUT.

>> WE SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED AND NOT LEFT BEHIND.

BECAUSE WE'RE NOT A DEPENDENT ON THE SYSTEM DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T DESERVE.

YOU DON'T FIT IN ANY PARTICULAR BOX.

>> WE HAVE ISSUES WITH THE WHOLE ROLLOUT.

WE THINK IT'S NOT EQUITABLE.

THE REALITY IS THAT THEY ARE AT A HIGHER RISK THAN A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE CURRENTLY GETTING VACCINATED.

>> HE ADVOCATES FOR THOSE WHO LIVE AT HOME BUT ONLY WITH THE HELP OF VISITING AIDES AND THERAPISTS.

THESE CREATE A VULNERABILITY AND RAISE QUESTIONS OF EQUITY.

>> IF YOU'RE ONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PEOPLE COMING TO YOUR HOUSE BECAUSE OF YOUR DISABILITY, YOU SHOULD BE A PRIORITY.

YOU KNOW, ON THE LIST.

EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT WE WAIT, SOMEONE WITH A DISABILITY IS AT RISK OF CONTRACTING COVID.

>> I HEAR THE CONCERNS AND UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATIONS.

AND OFTEN TIMES IT FEELS LIKE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE AN AFTER THOUGHT.

>> Reporter: HE SERVES AS THE ONLY BUDSMAN FOR.

VACCINE ELIGIBILITY WAS DELIBERATELY EXTENDED TO THOSE PROVIDING SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO THOSE AT HOME.

>> THIS ADMINISTRATION ADOPTED A VERY BROAD DEFINITION OF A HEALTHCARE WORKER.

ANYBODY PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES PAID OR UNPAID TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE.

WE TRIED TO APPROACH THIS FROM MANY DIFFERENT SORT OF PERSPECTIVES IF YOU WILL.

>> THE ADMINISTRATION RELEASED A CAREFULLY CURATED 1B LIST THAT GRANTS VACCINE ELIGIBILITY.

>> FOLKS IN GROUP HOMES WITH DISABILITIES HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY.

FOLKS THAT HAVE WITH THE CDC CALL HIGH RISK FACTORS INCLUDING DOWN SYNDROME HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY.

>> THAT STILL LEAVES A WIDE SCOPE OFF THE DISABILITY LIST ROBLES IS A DIABETIC AND IS ELIGIBLE FOR A SHOT.

>> I FEEL GUILTY THAT I'M GETTING A VACCINE WHEN I KNOW PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT GETTING A VACCINE.

>> THE GOVERNOR SIGNALED THAT COULD CHANGE.

>> PART OF THE OBJECTIVE IS TO GET TO FOLKS EXACTLY AS YOU'VE DESCRIBED.

SO RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHO WERE NOT IN GROUP HOMES WHO WE HAVE TO GO GET.

AND NOT JUST THE J&J VACCINE BUT THAT'S A PARTICULAR AND WHEN WE WENT OVER IN GREAT DETAIL HOW THE DOSES WERE GOING TO BREAKDOWN SORT OF THE IMPLICIT ARRANGEMENT WITH THE COUNTIES IS THAT THAT'S THE SORT OF PERSON WE WANT THEM TO GO TOO.

>> THEY ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE BECAUSE LUNG PROBLEMS, BUT THEY STILL CAN'T GET AN APPOINTMENT DESPITE BEING REGISTERED IN THREE COUNTIES AND ON THE STATE WEBSITE.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>> THOSE APPOINTMENTS ARE TOUGH TO GET, ESPECIALLY AS THE STATE REPORTS AN INCREASE IN COVID INFECTS THAT HIGHER ACTIVITIES IN THE NFT, NORTHEAST, AND CENTRAL PARTS OF THE STATE.

MORE THAN 2900 NEW CONFIRMED TESTS AND 63 MORE DEATHS.

BUT THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SAYS WEDDING RE-SEEPINGS CAN TAKE PLACE AT 35% OF THE INDOOR CAPACITY OR UP TO 150 PEOPLE.

AND SLEEP AWAY CAMPS WILL BE ABLE TO RESUME THIS SUMMER.

BUT IT'S UNCLEAR WHAT KIND OF SOCIAL ACTIVITY WE SHOULD OR SHOULDN'T BE DOING NOW THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE GETTING IMMUNIZED.

CDC GUIDELINES ARE EXPECTED TOMORROW.

BUT HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL YOU CAN GIVE A HUG TO YOUR GRANDKIDS OR GRANDCHILDREN.

AS I HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT GETTING VACCINATED, THEY'RE ALSO DISCUSSING GETTING TOGETHER WITH OTHER FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COWORKERS WHO ARE BEING VACCINATED.

IS THAT SAFE TO DO?

>> IF YOU'VE BEEN VACCINATED AND YOUR FAMILY OR FRIENDS HAVEN'T, WE KNOW THAT IT'S STILL POSSIBLE OR WE BELIEVE IT'S STILL POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO TRANSMIT THE VIRUS TO THEM.

IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO CONTINUE TO AVOID CLOSE CONTACT WITH ANYBODY WHO DOESN'T LIVE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD.

IF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE ALL VACCINATED, IT'S LOOKING LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A RELATIVELY LOW RISK TO GET TOGETHER.

I WOULD STILL RECOMMEND DOING SO IN SMALL GROUPS AND OUTDOORS IF AT ALL POSSIBLE AS THE WEATHER GETS NICER.

OPEN THE WINDOWS.

WE KNOW VENTILATION IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO PREVENT TRANSMISSION OF THE VIRUS.

>> AND I GUESS WE SHOULD NOTE YOU HAVE TO WAIT TWO WEEKS FOR YOUR BODY TO BUILD UP IMMUNITY.

>> IT'S IMITATING THE INFECTION.

AND IT TAKES ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR WOODS TO DEVELOP MEMORY CELLS SO THE NEXT TIME WE SEE THE VIRUS, OUR BODY KNOWS HOW TO REACT TO IT.

IF YOU'VE BEEN VACCINATED TODAY , >> WE NEED TO WEAR OUR MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCE FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS AFTER THE FINAL DOSE IF IT'S MODERNA AND PFIZER.

>> WHAT ABOUT VISITING PEOPLE WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO VISIT AND SEE IN PERSON?

I'M THINKING ELDERLY AND GRANDKIDS AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES.

IF WE'VE BEEN FULLY IMMUNIZED, IS THAT SAFE TO DO.

>> THE KEY IS ARE WE FULLY IMMUNIZED AND ARE THEY?

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED AT RISK OF COMING IN CONTACT.

AND EVEN WITH THE HIGH EFFICACY WITH THE PFIZER AND MODERNA, 5% WILL DEVELOP SEVERE ILLNESS.

AND THAT'S A LOT OF SICK PEOPLE.

AND WE WANT TO KEEP THE NUMBER OF INFECTIONS AND ILLNESS AS LOW AS POSSIBLE.

>> WHAT IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN DOING ANY OF THAT THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

SHOULD YOU FEEL A LITTLE BIT MORE COMFORTABLE MAKING A TRIP TO THE FOOD STORE?

>> I THINK THAT IF YOU HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED AND YOU'VE BEEN AFRAID PREVIOUSLY TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE, YOU'RE PRETTY SAFE GOING IF YOU'RE CONTINUING TO WEAR A MASK.

AND I THINK THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE FRONT LINE WORKERS IN THE GROCERY STORES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET VACCINATED.

THEY'VE BEEN SO EXPOSED OVER THE PAST YEAR.

>> I WANT TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN THAT EVERY ADULT AMERICAN WILL BE ABLE TO GET A VACCINE BY THE END OF MAY.

THIS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MERCK AND J&J.

>> RAMPING UP PRODUCTION, PARTICULARLY OF THE J&J VACCINE WHICH IS A ONE AND DONE IS GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT GAME CHANGER.

WE'RE ALREADY VACCINATING 1.8 MILLION PEOPLE ON AVERAGE EACH DAY.

HAVING A THIRD COMPANY COME INTO THE MIX WITH HIGH PRODUCTION, I THINK WE'RE LIKELY GOING TO GET CLOSER TO THE NUMBER.

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>>> AND THERE'S DEBATE OVER WHETHER THE NAMES OF POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED WITH MISCONDUCT SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC.

THE STATE SUPREME COURT HEARD HOURS OF ARGUMENTS IN A LAWSUIT.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ARGUED THAT PUBLICIZING THE NAMES OF OFFICERS WHO HAVE RECEIVED MAJOR DISCIPLINE THREATENS THE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THE COURT IS LOOKING AT TWO DIRECTIVES MADE IN JUNE BY ATTORNEY GENERAL GRAY WALL.

ONE REQUIRES THE NAMES OF OFFICERS TO BE RELEASED.

AND THE OTHER OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.

THE DIRECTIVE WAS MADE HASTILY ATTORNEYS ARGUE.

AND IT WON'T ENHANCE THE PUBLIC'S TRUST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

A LOWER COURT ALREADY RULED THE PLAN IS LEGAL.

>>> YOU KNOW WHAT IS LEGAL?

NEW JERSEY?

RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

A PANEL THAT WILL CREATE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS IS COMING UNDER FIRE BY NEW JERSEY'S CHAPTER OF THE NAACP.

NONE OF THE FIVE CHOSEN MEMBERS ON THE CANNABIS REGULATION, ARE CONNECTED TO SOCIAL JUSTICE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> THE REASON I SIGNED THESE BILLS, THE REASON WE'VE BEEN IN THE FIGHT IS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.

>> TO HEAR GOVERNOR MURPHY TELL IT.

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE.

AND THEY ARE WONDERING WHY THERE ARE ZERO BLACK MEN ON THE REGULATORY COMMITTEE.

THE GROUP ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS IS BLACK MEN.

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS WELL INTENTIONED.

I DON'T SEE THIS AS AN INSIDIOUS PLOT.

BUT WHAT IT SPEAKS TO IS THE BLIND SPOT WHICH COMES WITH PRIVILEGE.

>> Reporter: THE COMMISSION'S CHAIR IS A BLACK WOMAN AND CURRENT POLICY ADVISER TO THE GOVERNOR.

THE OTHER MEMBERS ARE A WHITE SOUTH JERSEY SOCIAL WORKER WHO HUSBAND IS A CAMDEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

SHE WAS APPOINTED BY THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

SAM DELGADO.

MARIE -- AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

AND WILLIAM WALLACE, A WHITE MALE LABOR UNION OFFICIAL BOTH POINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

TODAY, PULLING NO PUNCHES.

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S AN OVERSIGHT AT ALL.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE PAST HISTORY OF THE GOVERNOR'S RECORD, HE'S MISSED THE MARK ON EVERY SINGLE CASE OF IT.

AND THIS IS NO SURPRISE TO ANY OF US.

>> LAWMAKERS WERE SERIOUS ENOUGH ABOUT REPRESENTATION THAT THEY WROTE INTO THE LAW A REQUIREMENT THAT AT LEAST ONE MEMBER SHALL BE A REP FROM A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION DEALING DIRECTLY WITH DISCRIMINATION, UNEMPLOYMENT, AND OTHER FORMS OF SOCIAL INJUSTICE OR INEQUALITY.

A GROUP LIKE THE NAACP.

WHICH IS WRITTEN A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR ASKING THAT HE IDENTIFY THE QUALIFICATIONS OF CRC MEMBERS.

THEY SAY NONE OF THEM MEET THE STATED CRITERIA.

>> STRANGELY, THE VERY FIRST OPPORTUNITY THOSE IN POWER HAD TO IMPLEMENT THE LAW, THEY IGNORE THE SOCIAL JUSTICE ASPECT OF IT.

IT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE FEARED ALL ALONG.

THAT THIS IS A MONEY GRAB.

THIS IS A SITUATION WHERE IT'S ALL ABOUT GETTING AS MUCH MONEY INTO THE STATE AS POSSIBLE.

WITHOUT OR BY AND AT THE SAME TIME IGNORING THE SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE PEOPLE MAKING THE DECISIONS, THE APPOINTING AUTHORITIES WOULD NOT JUST COMPLY WITH THE LAW BUT PUT AT LEAST ONE, AND I SUGGEST THAT MORE THAN ONE IS APPROPRIATE.

AND THE REMEDY THE POWERS THAT BE ARE NOT WILLING TO MAKE A CORRECTION HERE AND A CORRECTION COULD TAKE SEVERAL FORMS.

THE REMEDY WOULD BE TO GO TO COURT AND ASK THE JUDICIAL BRANCH TO ENFORCE THE LAW AS WRITTEN.

>> THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND ASSEMBLY SPEAKER WEREN'T AVAILABLE TO TALK TO US ABOUT THIS TODAY.

THE GOVERNOR, HE SAID HE SPOKE TO THE NAACP PRESIDENT TODAY AND WAS CONFIDENT THAT SOMETHING WOULD BE QUOTE WORKED OUT WITHOUT ELABORATING FURTHER.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS FIGHTING NEW COVID-19 INFECTIONS BUT IS THE ECONOMY KEEPING PACE.

>> SEEMS LIKE WE'RE SEEING A TWO STEP FORWARD ONE STEP BACK WITH THE JOB MARKET.

ADP SAID PRIVATE COMPANIES CREATED 117,000 JOBS LAST MONTH.

BUT ANALYSTS WERE EXPECTING A HIGHER NUMBER.

THE CHIEF ECONOMIST OF ADP SAYS LARGER COMPANIES ARE FEELING THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19.

>>> THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT HAS NEW PROGRAMMING IN PLACE TO SPEED UP REVIEW OF UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS HITTING THE ONE-YEAR MARK.

IT WAS A YEAR AGO THAT SHUTDOWNS LED TO MASS LAYOFFS, AND THE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT'S GOT 100,000 CLAIMS TO REVIEW THIS MONTH.

BY THE WAY, THESE REVIEWS ARE MANDATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN COLLECTING UNEMPLOYMENT FOR A YEAR.

THE DEPARTMENT SAYS CONTINUE CERTIFYING ON A WEEKLY BASIS AND DO NOT OPEN A NEW CLAIM BECAUSE THAT COULD RESULT IN A DELAY OF BENEFITS.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY GAVE BREATHING ROOM TO RESIDENTS STRUGGLING TO PAY UTILITY BILLS.

HE SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER EXTENDING THE BAN ON ALL UTILITY SHUTOFFS DUE TO LACK OF PAYMENTS.

THE MORATORIUM HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL JUNE 30th .

THE GOVERNOR WILL WORK ON EASING THE BURDEN FOR RESIDENTS.

IT'S ESTIMATE THAT HAD $700 MILLION IS OWED IN GAS, ELECTRIC, AND WATER BILLS.

>>> THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION IS URGING THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN A BILL THAT IT BELIEVES WILL MAKE DOING BUSINESS IN THE STATE A LITTLE EASIER.

A COMMISSION WOULD REVIEW REGULATIONS, STATUTES, AND ORDERS TO SEE IF THEY ARE TOO BURDENSOME.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE CAN GIVE IMMEDIATE RELIEF TO OUR BUSINESSES.

AND IT DOESN'T COST GOVERNMENT ANYTHING.

AND COST IN NEW JERSEY IS A BIG DEAL.

ANYTHING WE DO WITH REGULATORY RELIEF IS A WIN-WIN.

>>> NOW A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, AND THESE ARE YOU TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> JPMORGAN CHASE FOR CONSUMERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

COMMERCIAL BANKS, FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROCESSING, AND ASSET MANAGEMENT.

>> FOR ALL THE TALK OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS OF AGING SERVICE LINES AND QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER, FEW OF US ARE ABLE TO KEEP TABS ON OUR OWN WATER UTILITY COMPANY.

THERE'S A NEW WEBSITE BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY WHERE CUSTOMERS CAN GET ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND BUDGET PLANS.

THINK OF IT AS NEWS YOU CAN USE.

>> JOHN, WHAT KIND OF FUN STUFF IF WE CAN CALL IT FUN STUFF WHEN TALKING ABOUT WATER WILL YOU FIND ON THIS SITE?

>> THERE'S ALL KINDS OF USEFUL INFORMATION RANGING FROM WHETHER A WATER UTILITY TESTS FOR BACTERIA OR WHETHER THEY MEET VARIOUS REGULATORY STANDARDS, WHETHER THEY'VE REPLACED THE SERVICE LINES.

AND EVEN DOWN TO THE FINE DETAIL OF WHETHER A, HOW MANY CLICKS THEY HAD TO MAKE ON A UTILITY WEBSITE IN ORDER TO GET, IN ORDER TO DRILL DOWN TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

THE FOLKS WHO PUT THIS TOGETHER HAVE DRILLED DOWN TO A VERY, VERY DETAILED LEVEL.

>> WHAT'S THE POINT OF IT THOUGH?

IS IT TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC OR TO MAKE A CASE FOR MONEY THAT'S NEEDED FOR SOME OF THESE PROJECTS?

>> IT'S REALLY BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.

AND THE ARCHITECT OF THIS, WATER WORKS WHICH IS A COLLABORATIVE WHICH TAKENS, 600 ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

THEIR MISSION IS TO EDUCATE BOTH PUBLIC AND POLICY MAKERS ON THE NEED FOR MASSIVE, A MASSIVE UPGRADE OF THE STATE'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT IS DRINKING WATER PIPES AND WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

AND THEY ESTIMATE THAT SOMETHING LIKE $25 BILLION NEEDS TO BE SPENT ON REPAIRING AND UPGRADING THE INFRASTRUCTURE DURING THE NEXT 20 YEARS.

SO THEY'RE HOPING THAT BY EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHERE THEIR DRINKING WATER COMES FROM, AND HOUR WASTEWATER IS TREATED IN THE STATE.

THAT'S GOING TO HELP THE UTILITY BUILD THE CASE FOR THE RATE INCREASES WHICH INEVITABLY ARE GOING TO COME.

>> AND IS THE THOUGHT THAT MAYBE SOME TRANSPARENCY IN IT AND MAKING IT A LITTLE MORE INTERACTIVE WILL ENGAGE PEOPLE MORE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE INFORMATION THAT'S PRESENTED ON THIS WEBSITE IS ALREADY AVAILABLE IN VARIOUS FORMS.

IF YOU DELVE INTO THE UTILITIES WEBSITE, THEN YOU MAY EVENTUALLY FIND IT.

BUT WHAT THIS WEBSITE IS DOING, IT'S PUTTING IT ALL THERE IN ONE PLACE IN A USER FRIENDLY FORM.

>> NOBODY EAST GOT THAT TIME, ESPECIALLY NOW.

>> FOR MORE ON THE JERSEY WATER CHECK WEBSITE AND THE COLLABORATION WITH JERSEY WATER WORKS CHECK OUT JOHN HURDLE'S FULL STORY ON WWW.NJTVNEWS.ORG.

>>> IT WAS A LONG OVERDUE VISION.

FANS THOUGH A LOT FEWER OF THEM IN RED AND BLACK DEVILS JERSEYS FILING IN TO THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER, WELCOMED BACK IN TO WATCH A GAME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 357 DAYS.

THE STATE OPENED ARENAS AT 10% CAPACITY AS THE NEXT STEP IN THE CORONAVIRUS RECOVERY.

BEING A SPECTATOR IS NOT EXACTLY LIKE IT USED TO BE.

BUT IT'S A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR SOME NORMALCY.

>> I WAS LOOKING IN THE MIRROR WHEN I WAS GETTING DRESSED.

OH, MY GOSH.

I'M IN A JERSEY.

I'M GOING TO A GAME.

>> Reporter: THE FANS WERE WELCOMED BACK TO THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER.

>> WE'RE PUMPED UP AND EXCITED FOR A DEVILS VICTORY.

>> THESE 2 FRIENDS WERE LUCKY TO GET IN BEFORE THE GAME WAS SOLD OUT.

>> ONLY 10% CAPACITY.

I THINK WE'LL BE OKAY.

>> Reporter: THEY HAD TO SIGN A PLEDGE ACKNOWLEDGING THEY ARE SYMPTOM FREE AND FOLLOWING STATE GUIDELINES.

>> LAST TIME I WAS HERE WAS AGAINST TORONTO IN THE PLAYOFFS.

>> EACH FAN WAS TOLD WHEN AND WHERE TO ENTER TO AVOID LINES.

>> I TOOK ADVANTAGE AND GOT THE TICKETS RIGHT AWAY.

>> WE'VE INSTITUTED A NO BAG POLICY TO MAKE THE ENTRY QUICKER AS WELL AS CONTACTLESS.

ANYTHING LARGER THAN FOUR BY SEVEN INCHES WILL HAVE TO REMAIN IN THE CAR ON IN A LOCKER OUTSIDE THE BUILDING.

>> THE VICE PRESIDENT OF GUEST EXPERIENCE GAVE US A BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR TO THE 750,000 SQUARE FOOT ARENA ON GAME DAY.

>> WE'VE HADED 300 HAND SANITIZERS.

AND THOUSANDS OF SIGNS REMINDING PEOPLE TO STAY SOCIALLY DISTANT, KEEP THEIR MASKS ON AND ENJOY THEMSELVES WHILE THEY ARE HERE.

>> FROM TEMPERATURE SCANS AFTER SECURITY TO TICKET SCANNING TO A TOOL GUESTS CAN USE ON THEIR PHONE TO GUIDE THEM TO THEIR SEATS OR NEARBY OPEN CONCESSION STANDS AND BEDROOM BATHROOMS.

>> THEY CAN PLACE THE ORDER AT THE WEBSITE AND JUST GO UP TO THE WINDOW AND WE'VE GOTTEN RID OF ALL THE CONDIMENT STANDS AND EVERYTHING IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED WITH YOUR ORDER.

>> INSIDE THE ARENA, SEATING IS NOW DIVIDED INTO PODS OF TWO OR FOUR.

AND EACH POD IS SOCIALLY DISTANCED FROM THE NEXT.

>> PRIOR TO TONIGHT.

WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO HAVE CARDBOARD CUTOUTS IN THE ARENA.

>> THE CUTOUTS ARE ALL READY TO CHEER ON THE DEVILS.

>> WE'VE GOT PICTURES OF ALL THE KIDS.

>> IT FEELS GREAT.

I'M EXCITED EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ALL THE FANS THERE.

>> WE'VE SPENT 11 MONTHS TALKING TO OTHER ARENAS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD WHO HAVE ALREADY OPENED AND COMPARING BEST PRACTICES.

>> AND EVEN DETAILS ON HOW TO EXIT WERE PRECALCULATED.

GUESTS WERE TOLD TO STAY IN THE SEATS FOR A STAGGERED EXIT AND LEAVE THE BUILDING FROM THE SAME DOOR THEY USED TO ENTER.

>> GO DEVILS.

>> A WHOLE NEW ROOTING EXPERIENCE.

>> FOR MORE ON WHERE WE STAND WITH THE CORONAVIRUS ONE YEAR LATER.

CATCH CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ LIVE THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL JUST ASK QUESTIONS LIVE ON THE SCREEN.

THAT DOES IT FOR US.

HEAD TO ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE REPORTING TEAM, WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEYINGS ASSOCIATION MAKING SCHOOLS GREAT.

BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED CREATED TO THE COMMISSION OF A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS YOUR BACK.

AT HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED.

MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY.

AND MORE SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.

MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE.

ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH PLANS SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND WHAT YOU NEED.

EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK.

NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, ALL THE TIME.