TRENTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy raised the state's cap on indoor and outdoor gatherings on Monday, hours after announcing that indoor dining spaces and casinos would be allowed to reopen — with restrictions — starting next month.
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Restaurants in New Jersey will be able to reopen their indoor dining spaces at 25 percent capacity on Thursday, July 2, Murphy tweeted Monday morning. Casinos will be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity that day as well.
During his daily briefing hours later, Murphy raised the cap on outdoor gatherings from 100 to 250 people, while noting that there is "still no limit for outdoor religious or political activities."
Indoor gatherings will now be limited to 25 percent capacity, but will not be able to exceed 100 people, he said.
"The results of our social distancing and face covering practices are clear in our hospital data," Murphy said. "We've come down 85 percent or more among key datasets since the peak."
If the state sees a backslide before July 2, Murphy noted, it will "hit pause on the current plan."
"That's the last thing I want to do — so let's keep using common sense for the common good," he said. When casinos reopen, visitors must adhere to health and safety policies, he added.
"If any visitor refuses to comply with our simple safeguards, they'll be escorted out," he said. "We're not going to tolerate any knuckleheads trying to ruin it for those who wish to enjoy themselves responsibly."
Murphy on Monday reported 359 new COVID-19 cases and 27 new deaths, bringing the state's case total to 169,415 and its death toll to 12,895.
As of Monday, 1,029 people in the state were hospitalized with COVID-19, 287 of whom were in critical or intensive care. The governor warned New Jerseyans to "remain vigilant" and "keep up with our social distancing."
"We're still a Top 10 state in terms of total hospitalizations, and we remain in the Top 5 in the number of deaths," he said. "Social distancing is the only way we drop these rankings."
New Jersey is currently in Phase 2 of its reopening. More than a dozen activities and businesses were allowed to resume and reopen on Monday as part of Phase 2, including nail and tanning salons, barbershops and outdoor pools.
Shopping malls will be reopening, with restrictions, on June 29.
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