NJ tightens restrictions on gatherings as state reports highest daily COVID-19 counts since March
TRENTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy tightened restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings on Monday as the state reported 2,232 new COVID-19 cases and 14 new deaths.
Starting Tuesday, indoor gatherings will be capped at 10 people, Murphy said at a news briefing. Outdoor gatherings, meanwhile, will be limited to 150 people maximum starting Nov. 23, he said.
Religious services, religious celebrations, political events, weddings, funerals, memorial services and performances will still be limited to either 25 percent capacity or 150 people maximum, Murphy noted.
Indoor sports practices and competitions, meanwhile, will be allowed to exceed the 10-person limit, but only for "individuals necessary, such as players, coaches and referees," he said.
New York and Connecticut had already capped indoor gatherings at 10 people. Murphy and five other northeast governors held an emergency summit over the weekend to align their COVID-19-related policies.
"In just four days, we've increased our cumulative [COVID-19 case] total by 14,566, to 281,493," Murphy said. "Yesterday's and Saturday's numbers are the first- and second-highest daily counts we have recorded since our first confirmed case when this pandemic hit our state on March 4."
"We have to get back in front of this virus," he added. "Maybe you think that people aren't getting sick anymore, or going to the hospital, or dying anymore. Maybe you think you're the victim of some witch hunt."
"Whatever the reason is, I can assure you it is false. It is a myth," he went on to say.
As of Sunday, 2,115 people in the state were hospitalized with confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases, 417 of whom were in intensive care and 137 of whom were on ventilators, he said.
"Let's all get back in the game like we were in the spring," he said. "I know this has been a very long haul, but we still have more miles to go."
