New Jersey state assembly speaker announced on Jan. 7 that all assembly members and staffers will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result regardless of their vaccination status to enter the legislative premises. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, a Democrat, said in a statement that all who intend to access the Assembly Chambers of the New Jersey legislature on Jan. 10 and Jan. 11, including lawmakers, staffers, and the press, must show a negative COVID-19 rapid test taken after 12 p.m. on Saturday. The new policy will be effective until the end of the current legislative session on Jan. 11, when newly elected Assembly members will be sworn in. A negative COVID-19 test is also required for all who attend the swearing-in ceremony, Coughlin said. Those who test positive or cannot make the sessions in person will be able to join all proceedings remotely via phone, Coughlin said. Prior to …