PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday lifted the state's stay-at-home order and raised the limit on the number of people who can gather indoors and in public, two moves that could mean a lot to religious groups, the class of 2020 and organizers of social and political protests.
Effective immediately, indoor gatherings are limited to 25% of a building’s capacity or 50 people total, whichever is smaller. And the limit on outdoor gatherings is raised to 100 people — with an exception for public demonstrations.
The orders also authorize pools to open on June 22, and all remaining outdoor recreational and entertainment businesses to open now, except for amusement parks, water parks, and arcades. Indoor dining is not yet permitted at any level.
And of course, face coverings and social distancing rules still apply.
Murphy was coming under increased criticism for taking part in large public rallies dealing with racial injustice while telling people they couldn’t gather in groups larger than 25. But he insisted that criticism did not push him to change the plan.
“We have to recognize this moment in time is unlike any other moment in our nation’s history. We have to acknowledge that. We have to allow folks to get out there rightfully and peacefully but angrily protest and express themselves and we have to do it in a way that is consistent with the law,” Murphy said.
BREAKING: I’m signing an EO RAISING THE LIMIT ON INDOOR AND OUTDOOR GATHERINGS.Effective immediately:--Indoor gatherings will be permitted at whichever number is lower – 25% of a building’s capacity or 50 people total--Limit on outdoor gatherings will be raised to 100 people pic.twitter.com/07uRYvmR2K
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy)
June 9, 2020 Based on the continued downward trends of new coronavirus cases, new hospitalizations, and patients in intensive care and on ventilators, the governor said he expects those limits on gatherings to rise further to 250 people on June 22 and 500 people on July 3.
This means that, when graduation ceremonies resume on July 6, they will be able to include as many as 500 people in attendance.
Health officials confirmed 375 new cases of COVID-19 and 91 deaths since the last covonavirus briefing. The state total number of cases now stands at 164,796, and at least 12,303 residents have died of complications from the illness.
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KYW Newsradio's David Madden and Eric Walter contributed to this report.
