NJ to increase indoor capacity limits to 35% on Friday, includes restaurants, entertainment venues

TRENTON (1010 WINS) – Gov. Phil Murphy said he'll sign an executive order on Wednesday increasing indoor capacity limits at many businesses and venues in New Jersey.

The order will take effect at 8 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 5. It impacts a long list of places, including restaurants, entertainment venues and personal care businesses.

All restaurants will be able to expand indoor dining capacity from 25% to 35% of their listed capacity. Indoor dining was opened at 25% capacity back in September.

Murphy said the state was also lifting the statewide requirement that indoor restaurant service end at 10 p.m. However, municipalities or counties may continue to regulate the hours of operations of in-person restaurant service after 8 p.m.

Murphy said the prohibition on seating at indoor bar areas will remain in effect.

In addition, indoor entertainment and recreation areas, including casinos and gyms, may also accommodate 35% of their capacities, as may all personal care businesses, such as barbershops and salons.

The order will also expand capacity for indoor gatherings—including religious ceremonies/services, wedding ceremonies, political activities and memorial services/funerals—to 35% but no more than 150 individuals.

Performance venues may also expand to 35% of their listed capacity but no more than 150 individuals.

Previously, the rule for indoor gatherings was 25% of capacity or up to 150 individuals.

Murphy said that despite the changes, all public health protocols must continue to be adhered to, including the requirement for wearing masks indoors except when eating or drinking.

The governor said he feels "confident in signing this order because of the recent trends in our hospitals and our rate of transmission."

For example, he said, the number of confirmed and suspected COVID cases in hospitals was 3,726 on Jan. 13. He said that number was down by 20% on Wednesday.