TRENTON – During a press conference to discuss COVID-19 issues, Col. Patrick Callahan clarified that the only “wave parades” that are banned are ones that involve people congregating together.
Since school is closed and large gatherings are banned, high school seniors are missing out on some of the final bookends of their public education. Events like proms and graduation ceremonies are being lost.
Callahan had written a letter to the Department of Education and to school officials banning the practice of wave parades, but the message had been unclear.
He said that there were reports of students gathering at a school, football field, or town hall and having loved ones drive by to wave. Or, loved ones getting out of their cars. These kinds of events are banned because they defeat the purpose of the social distancing regulations that are necessary to slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
“We would never – and could not prevent vehicles from driving by” and congratulating individuals at homes, he said.
Gov. Phil Murphy added that he understood the sadness families were feeling about not being able to celebrate these events normally, but he didn’t want in intergenerational group of people gathering together, spreading the virus. That celebration could be the reason that they lose someone.
On May 4, Murphy had announced that schools would remain closed throughout at least the end of the school year.
“I think a lot of us are in that boat,” he had said. “I also fully appreciate the disappointment that our kids won’t be closing the school year among their friends. For us to ensure that we can undertake a responsible restart and recovery, this step was necessary.”
The governor emphasized that this decision only applies to the remainder of the 2019-2020 regular academic school year. The Department of Education “will be leading regular stakeholder meetings along with district leaders, educators, local officials and parent organizations to determine if summer educational or enrichment and other programs – often at our schools – can proceed.”
The governor also noted back then the disappointment students would have in missing their proms and graduation ceremonies and walking along the stage with their friends.
“I still want to see them have those opportunities but we will be working with the districts to give them creative ways to give the class of 2020 a proper send off to their bright futures,” the governor concluded.
