SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday that his indoor sports ban will be lifted on Saturday.
The statewide restriction has been in effect since Dec. 7 to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The ban was set to expire on Saturday, though Murphy was unsure whether or not he would extend it.
The ban prohibited organized indoor games and practices for youth, high school, and adult recreational leagues, including basketball and ice hockey. College and pro sports were exempt.
Most high schools were not affected by this ban because they had already put off their games and practices until January.
Although indoor sports can resume this weekend, interstate sports games will still be prohibited.
“As long as folks play it straight,” Murphy said, “they do it right, they do the right things, we’re open for business again on Jan. 2 for indoor sports.”
However, the governor’s indoor limit of 10 people still holds — and that limit includes athletes, so spectators are essentially prohibited from games.
“If you’re above 10, there can be no spectators — period. And it brings me no joy to say that, but that’s the way it’s got to be,” he said. “We’re going to be watching this. We have to watch it.”
Given the relative stability in case counts, Murphy believes it is OK to lift the ban. Not doing so would jeopardize entire sports seasons, and he said he didn’t want to do that.
“We feel confident we can move forward by continuing to deal with any outbreaks or other issues on an individual case basis as opposed to a blanket prohibition.”