Nearly three months after New Jersey went into near lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the state shifts into Stage 2 of Gov. Phil Murphy’s multi-phase reopening plan on Monday as health officials watch closely for any possible spike in cases.
The biggest change in the second phase is the reopening of outdoor dining at restaurants and bars, and allowing shoppers inside nonessential retail stores at half capacity.
Murphy also issued several clarifications to the Stage 2 reopening plan on Sunday to include rules for curbside pickup for libraries, yard sales, real estate open houses and car washes. Those activities also resume Monday.
“This is a big day,” Murphy said Monday morning during a live interview on NBC’s “Today” show from the Asbury Park boardwalk. “We’re slowly but surely getting back on our feet. We’re opening back up and it feels great.”
All of the reopening steps, however, come with restrictions calling for social distancing of at least six feet, face coverings whenever possible, hand washing and increased sanitizing of frequently-touched surfaces.
The state reported 40 new deaths and 305 new cases in the last 24 hours on Sunday. The outbreak has now claimed the lives of at least 12,625 residents with at least 166,881 total positive test results since early March, second in the nation only to New York.
Here’s everything you need to know about the reopening for Stage 2 starting today:
Outdoor dining — Restaurants and bars that offer outdoor seating must place tables six feet from each other, limit eight customers to a table, require employees to wear face coverings and gloves, close buffets and salad bars, and post signs that say patrons with a fever or symptoms of the coronavirus shouldn’t enter. The state Department of Health issued about 20 requirements, including limiting access to indoor areas for customers as much as possible with exceptions for restroom use and entry and exit.
Indoor dining remains closed, though Murphy clarified on Sunday that restaurants and catering halls may provide indoor tours to customers seeking to book the venue for future events. Indoor food and drink sampling is not permitted as part of the tours.
Nonessential retail stores — Capacity will be limited to 50% and both customers and employees will be required to wear face coverings. Stores must also provide special shopping hours for high-risk individuals wherever possible, put up physical barriers between customers and cashiers or baggers, and regularly sanitize areas used by employees. The restrictions are similar to those used for essential stories that have remained open during the outbreak.
Malls remain closed, though stores at malls that can allow customers to enter directly through an exterior door may reopen on Monday.
Murphy also clarified on Sunday that car washes, bicycle shops, boat dealerships, car and used car dealerships, farming equipment stores, federal firearms licensees, livestock feed stores, mobile phone retail and repair shops, motorcycle dealerships, and nurseries and garden centers can operate according to the requirements placed on essential retail businesses.
Child day care centers — Day care centers reopening Monday will be required to conduct temperature checks of kids and staff and limit class sizes, while children will be encouraged, but not required, to wear masks. Staff members are required to wear masks and are prohibited from moving between groups of kids. Murphy had ordered all daycare centers in the state to close April 1 unless they solely watch the children of first responders and other essential workers.
Motor Vehicle Commission services — Some pick-up and drop-off services at the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission offices resume Monday. The agency plans to begin conducting behind-the-wheel road tests and issuing new licenses and permits June 29. Social distancing will be required at all offices, and staff will be required to wear masks while customers will be asked to cover their faces. Plexiglass barriers have been installed in the offices, and floors have been taped off to make safe spacing.
The state extended expiration dates to help those with expiring licenses, registrations, inspection stickers, and temporary tags. And license and registration renewals have still been allowed online.
Houses of worship — Churches, mosques, synagogues and other houses of worship got an early jump on Stage 2 with the resumption of indoor services starting last week when size limits for indoor and outdoor gatherings were increased. Indoor religious gatherings can be 25% of a buildings capacity or 50 people, whichever number is fewer. Masks are also recommended.
Outdoor special events, including fireworks — Outdoor special events, including legal firework displays, are permitted as soon as Monday as long as crowds are limited to 100 people, according to the governor. The limit on outside gatherings could increase to 250 people on June 22 and 500 people on July 3 if the downward trends in the state’s COVID-19 outbreak continues, Murphy said about a week ago. Many towns had cancelled July 4th festivities during the outbreak, but some are now being rescheduled. Here’s a full list of events.
Libraries offering curbside pickup — Libraries can reopen their outdoor spaces and begin curbside service beginning Monday morning. But people are still not allowed inside libraries and staffing should be limited to minimum levels needed to provide the curbside pickup, he said.
Other clarifications issued Sunday that are effective today:
- Students, who may be accompanied by parents or guardians, may enter school premises to retrieve personal belongings from lockers, classrooms, or other areas;
- Open houses to view real estate are permitted, provided they comply with the restrictions on indoor gatherings, including the requirement that attendees wear face coverings;
- Yard and garage sales are permitted subject to the requirements on indoor gatherings, but municipalities shall have the discretion to impose additional restrictions on these sales; and
- Shared space tutoring service facilities remain closed to students and clients.
Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, tattoo parlors, and other personal-care businesses can reopen June 22. So can pools and outdoor, non-contact organized sports. And both youth day camps and in-person summer school can operate beginning July 6. All will have restrictions.
While gyms and fitness centers are among the businesses expected to reopen in Stage 2, Murphy has not made an announcement on dates or restrictions. He has also said reopening Atlantic City’s casino gaming floors remains a priority and has hinted that could occur before July 4th weekend.
Murphy has not yet announced when New Jersey would likely enter Stage 3 of the reopening plan, the last step before the least restrictive “new normal” that will be accompanied by a vaccine or treatment for the virus.
Gov. Phil Murphy has revealed a multi-stage coronavirus reopening plan for New Jersey.
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