NEW JERSEY – Positive metrics – such as almost 3 million fully vaccinated New Jerseyans – were the reason that Governor Phil Murphy was able to announce several reopening conditions during a recent press conference.
Murphy announced that room capacity would go to 50% from the current 35% room capacity, or 250 individuals at maximum effective May 10. “We know this move will be particularly helpful to schools that are currently planning their proms.”
The governor also announced that for outdoor venues, starting on May 10 outdoor gatherings will move from 200 to 500 with an increase expected further by Memorial Day. It allows for venues with 1,000 or more fixed seats to be at 50% of capacity. This still includes six feet of distance between seated groups.
Carnivals and fairs including the New Jersey State fair will be permitted to operate at 50% capacity, aligned with other amusement businesses. (However, the Ocean County Fair was recently canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic limitations.)
“We know outdoor dining is here to stay and many of the guidelines we put in place for this last summer is now a matter of state law. We know this virus is a lot less dangerous outdoors then it is indoors,” Governor Murphy added.
Governor Murphy thanked the population of New Jersey, saying that it was the “tremendous work that billions of you are helping to do to crush this. Get vaccinated. It is much riskier to not get vaccinated. Outdoor masking is the same as it was last year. If you can’t socially distance at six feet outside you need to wear them. Inside, you need them. I wear two.
“People are doing the right thing,” Murphy said. He noted that in regards to schools in the state 82% of students were either hybrid or live instruction and he is looking to get that to 85% by the end of the school year.
“We are expecting the downward trend to continue over the next two weeks.” Murphy said continuation of the downward streak would allow for more restrictions to be relaxed. “We are seeing all the right trends emerging from our hospitals. Reports have trended down over the last five days” The governor noted a meeting he had with employees of the Perlmutter family ShopRite in Toms River on April 23 “that was the second day under 2,000 (cases) and we have had five in a row and clearly that is a big deal.”
Thomas Walsh of Howell was noted among three New Jersey residents remembered during the governor’s press conference who died as a result of the coronavirus. Walsh, 63, was a municipal plumbing inspector and a devoted father who had a deep love of music and played the drums. He was very active in his church.
“Let us remember those we lost and who won’t be able to enjoy the good times that lay ahead,” Governor Murphy added.
Superintendent of New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan reported around 70 compliance investigations were held at businesses in northern New Jersey communities.
When asked about restaurant when capacity would increase the governor responded saying “sooner than later if the numbers keep going as they are,” the governor said.
Governor Murphy mentioned high COVID-19 numbers in Michigan and globally, high numbers in India. Murphy said he had recently spoken with India’s ambassador to the United States. “The tragedy of the loss in India right now is beyond words.” Murphy noted the state’s high number of Indian-American residents. “Keep them in your hearts and prayers.”
New Jersey Health Department Commissioner Judith Persichilli said, “so far 91% of individuals that received their first dose of vaccine have received their second dose. This is higher than what is being seen nationally.”
“Our call center will be performing outreach to remind people of their second dose appointment. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine pause has been lifted. The FDA has determined that the vaccine’s known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risk,” Commissioner Persichilli added.
“Even if you miss your 21- or 28-day window for the second dose, reschedule. I think you can go as far as six weeks. There is an element of vaccine hesitancy but we encourage people to seek out their health care professional and talk it through,” Persichilli said.
“The Johnson and Johnson vaccine will help us administer the vaccine to those who are hard to reach,” she added.
“The vaccine is safe and effective. Let’s reach out to our family, friends and neighbors together and urge them to get vaccinated,” the governor said. He recommended residents visit covid19.nj.gov/vaccine for more information about vaccines and vaccine sites.
