New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order temporarily extending a COVID-19-era state of emergency for 45 days, allowing certain health care professionals more time to comply with new supervision requirements.

The order extends the emergency originally declared under former Governor Phil Murphy’s similar order in 2020. The order had been set to expire at 5pm on February 16 but will now remain in effect until 5pm on April 2.

The extension is intended to give advanced practice nurses (APN) and physician assistants (PA) additional time to enter into required joint protocol or delegation agreements with supervising physicians as longstanding emergency provisions wind down.

“With today’s executive order, we are providing more time for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants to adjust to this new regulatory landscape,” Sherrill said in a statement. She added that many health care professionals are facing significant operational changes as pandemic-era flexibilities come to an end.

State officials said the sudden termination of the emergency could disrupt the delivery of health care services, including time-sensitive reproductive care, and potentially force clinics, surgery centers and independent practices to close. They warned that medically underserved communities and patients with serious conditions could be particularly affected.

For the duration of the extended emergency, certain statutory provisions limiting the scope of practice for advanced practice nurses and physician assistants will remain suspended. Provisions related to physicians’ supervisory responsibilities will also continue to be waived as they apply to both physicians and physician assistants.