The closures mark a shift toward hyperlocal deployment of vaccination efforts, as the state attempts to inoculate hundreds of thousands of vaccine-hesitant New Jerseyans. More than 2 million people have gotten their shots at one of the six mega-centers.

Unlike a version pulled in May, this proposal would employ legislative oversight for emergency powers the governor intends to use through Jan. 11, and he could ask lawmakers for a 90-day extension.

An estimated 8.5 million enterprises nationwide have received funding under the Paycheck Protection Program: The SBA approved 157,405 forgivable loans totaling $17.3 billion in 2020, and 134,362 loans totaling roughly $8 billion in 2021.

The state is looking at a closing balance of $6.3 billion this year thanks to $4 billion of new debt, spending freezes last year, and surges in consumer spending driven by pent-up demand following a year of COVID-19 closures.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority greenlit a state incentive for residential developers, under one of a dozen programs meant to lift the state out of the COVID-19 recession.

Between the start of Memorial Day weekend through June 4, most of New Jersey’s COVID-19 business restrictions were rolled back for vaccinated people, allowing an almost complete return to pre-pandemic operations. The move was hailed by business groups, who contend that the rules constituted a drag on the state’s economy. But public health experts remain cautious about whether the state is ready to fully celebrate.

The new rules follow an honor system - fully vaccinated patrons do not have to wear a mask while indoors, but those without the vaccine still must wear them.

Gov. Phil Murphy said NJ Emerge, which is meant to incentivize employers to remain in the state or set up shop here, “has become even more important as we begin our recovery from the economic devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

About 37 million Americans are expected to travel this holiday weekend, up from 23 million in 2020, according to the American Automobile Association.

Gov. Phil Murphy and several top state lawmakers announced their intention to approve this latest stimulus round as companies embark on reopenings coming out of 15 months of pandemic closures and restrictions.

Business owners say they’ve struggled to find an adequate workforce as the nation weans off of pandemic closures meant to keep the virus at bay. Those restrictions have been lifted as more than half of the nation gets fully vaccinated.

“We encourage all employers to do the right things for their specific workplaces,” the governor said. “While we are rescinding some requirements, that doesn’t mean we don’t expect you to be flexible and to work with employees — particularly those who are juggling family obligations such as child care.”