New Jersey’s latest coronavirus restriction — a drop in the outdoor gathering limit from 150 people to 25 — takes effect on Monday morning as the state struggles to slow the second wave of the outbreak.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced the new limit last week, marking the second time in as many weeks he reduced the size of outdoor gatherings. New cases and deaths have continued to rise in the state as Murphy has said he would take “a surgical” approach to enact new restrictions. There are several exemptions.
“While there is generally less risk associated with outdoor gatherings, it is appropriate to reduce the outdoor gatherings limit in our state to no more than 25 people to prevent increased transmission through super-spreading events and large community gatherings,” the executive order reads.
The new rules include:
- Limiting group sizes to no more than 25 people, down from 150 people he ordered earlier in the month. The limit had previously been 500 people.
- There are exceptions for religious or political activities, as well as for funerals, memorial services and wedding ceremonies.
- Murphy clarified “separate groups who are dining outdoors at our restaurants do not constitute a single ‘gathering.’” Outdoor dining continues to operate under separate restrictions.
- Outdoor amusements continue to be subject to 50% capacity limits. If there is a special event (i.e., a birthday party) held at one of these amusement businesses, however, it would be subject to the 25-person limit.
- Movie theaters, concert venues and performing arts centers may host outdoor events with limits equivalent to their indoor capacity. Murphy issued a clarification on those venues on Saturday.
- Indoor gatherings remain limited to 10 people.
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The outdoor gathering limits could have implications for planned holiday events in December.
New Jersey health officials are urging people to avoid sitting on Santa’s lap for a photo, discouraging holiday parades and recommending Christmas tree and Menorah lighting events should be held outside and socially distanced.
Republican lawmakers criticized Murphy’s new rules, noting how the state’s rate of transmission has been dropping and how daily deaths have remained lower than the spring. They called for the Democratic-controlled state Legislature to step in and keep Murphy, a Democrat, in check.
Despite the new rules, Murphy last week also shot down rumors that he’s planning a statewide shutdown like he instituted in March and insisted the state is on “much better footing” than it was during the first wave in the spring — when there was limited knowledge, supplies, and testing.
The new rules are the latest round of recent restrictions Murphy has ordered since the state has been hit by a second wave of the pandemic.
Last month, Murphy ordered bars and restaurants in New Jersey to close indoor service every day at 10 p.m. He also banned all seating at indoor bars and gave counties and municipalities the authority to order nonessential businesses to close at 8 p.m. to try and slow the spread.
He also ordered the suspension of all interstate indoor youth sports and suspended all indoor organized sports at the youth, high school, and adult recreational levels starting Saturday through at least Jan. 2.
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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com.
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N.J. outdoor gather limit drops to 25 people starting today. Exemptions, what you need to know. - NJ.com
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