TRENTON (1010 WINS) – Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday said he was signing an executive order raising the limit on crowd size for outdoor gatherings from 250 to 500 people ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend and graduation ceremonies next week.
Outdoor crowds of up to 500 people will be allowed starting Friday, Murphy said, while limits on indoor gatherings will remain unchanged. Indoor gatherings are currently limited to 25 percent capacity with a maximum of 100 people.
Political, religious gatherings and other activities protected by the First Amendment continue to have no limits outdoors, Murphy said.
Murphy on Thursday also said indoor pools would be allowed to reopen starting Thursday, at 25 percent capacity and "with social distancing in place."
The governor urged people heading to outdoor bars or restaurants over the holiday weekend to "not let your guard down."
"Don't crowd around bars. Keep your face covering on unless you're eating or drinking," he tweeted. "If you feel uncomfortable because of overcrowding, LEAVE."
Murphy also announced that he was extending the state's public health emergency for another 30 days, a move that extends the governor's powers through executive orders.
"This means we'll have the authority to remain vigilant and prepared to act should there be a new outbreak of COVID-19," Murphy said.
The governor announced there were 539 new coronavirus cases Thursday, bringing the state's total number of cases to 172,356.
New Jersey's coronavirus death toll rose by 27 to 13,251 confirmed deaths. The number of probable deaths—those not confirmed by a test—was 1,854, Murphy said.
There were 1,027 patients in hospitals for COVID-19, 216 patients in either critical or intensive care and 170 ventilators in use.
The percentage of people who tested positive for coronavirus statewide on June 28, the latest data available, was 2.95 percent, the governor said.
Meanwhile, another round of businesses and institutions were set to reopen Thursday and Monday.
Among the facilities reopening Thursday: museums; aquariums; libraries; bowling alleys; indoor batting cages; boardwalk arcades; outdoor water parks; indoor shooting ranges; casinos; playgrounds; and outdoor amusement parks.
And the following will be permitted on Monday: youth day camps; in-person summer education; expanded NJ Transit rail and light rail; and graduation ceremonies.
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