Related
UPDATED: 4:05 p.m.
He also outlined the state’s continued movement through various stages to a new post-pandemic normal.
From where New Jersey was at the height of the pandemic — with businesses locked down, residents restricted to their homes, only essential workers operating life-sustaining services — Murphy said, the state has moved on to Stage 1.
With social distancing guidelines still firmly in place, businesses are opening slowly and deliberately, parks are reopened, and lakefronts and Atlantic Ocean beaches are following.
Progress to Stage 2 and beyond — with restrictions lifted on businesses, restaurants, libraries and attractions — will depend on continued guidance from public health data and compliance with recommendations from health care officials.
Stage 3 would permit most activities with limited capacity.
The virus will dictate the timetable of Murphy’s three-stage plan, he said.
The singular goal, he said, is to protect the public and the workforce from another large-scale COVID-19 outbreak, until a vaccine is found.
Despite a report of 1,735 new positive COVID-19 test results in the last day — for a total of 148,039 statewide — Murphy said the overall curve continues to move in the right direction, and positivity rates continue to fall.
Comparing the anticipated aftermath of COVID-19 to the aftermath of 9/11, Murphy said life after the pandemic will include some new practices that, over time, will become normal. Social distancing, sanitation guidelines, face coverings, and testing that has become routine — which has been central to New Jersey’s progress in slowing the spread of coronavirus — will continue to be the rule in the days ahead.
Gym reopens in defiance of state orders
A Bellmawr gym reopened for business early Monday, defying a state order that shut down nonessential businesses.
People began gathering outside the Atilis Gym several hours before it reopened at 8 a.m. The owners have said the decision to resume operations at the members-only facility was not about financial gain, but rather a question of constitutional rights.
“We truly believe that if we don't do this, in the end, we will have zero rights and no say in what happens,” co-owner Frank Trumbetti said in a video posted on the gym's Facebook page. Trumbetti has said he recently lost a loved one to coronavirus.
Dozens of people came out to show their support for the gym, with many holding signs critical of Murphy and others waving American flags. Only some were wearing face coverings and most people tightly clustered together on the sidewalk and parking area in front of the gym.
Around 10:30 a.m., police approached the business and spoke with the gym owners. The officers informed the pair and the crowd that they were formally in violation of the shutdown order, adding that police were present “only for everybody's safety.” The officers then wished everyone well and told them “have a nice day” before walking away from the gym as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Among the precautions the gym owners took were taping off workout stations and operating at 20% of the building's capacity, meaning about 44 patrons at a time. They also were requiring patrons to wear masks unless they were in the middle of lifting weights.
Gym staff will be taking patrons' temperatures at the door and anyone at 100.4 or above will not be allowed inside. The gym's owners also said it wouldn't allow any new members to join.
When asked about the gym during his Monday press briefing, Murphy replied, “If you show up at that gym again tomorrow, there's going to be a different reality than showing up today. These aren't just words. We've got to enforce this.
“But I also don't want to start World War III.”
The New Jersey State Police superintendent said the owners of the gym were issued a summons and customers were given warnings.
For the most part, the governor said residents are doing the right thing, and he expects to lift more restrictions in the coming days.
“I'm not overly concerned right now that we're going to have the reality … with different towns doing different things.”
___