Gov. Murphy signs order letting police commandeer medical equipment

Federal government considers new guidelines enforcing masks in public

FOX 29's Steve Keeley has the latest information.

TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey state police can now commandeer health supplies to address the COVID-19 outbreak under an executive order issued by Gov. Phil Murphy.

Murphy signed the order Thursday, saying he hopes the state will not have to use the power it authorized.

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Companies have been voluntarily donating medical equipment, and the first-term Democrat said he’s hopeful companies and people will continue doing the right thing.

Murphy said the order complements an earlier executive order requiring all businesses to submit an inventory of personal protective equipment, including gloves, masks, ventilators and anesthesia machines.