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As New Jersey restaurants resume outdoor dining, the state is now issuing rules for organized outdoor sports, which are divided into three categories.
Low-risk sports, such as golf or tennis, may resume next Monday.
Medium-risk, like baseball or softball, may also start non-contact practices then, with competition allowed beginning July 6.
High-risk, such as football, can do non-contact drills only, with competition starting July 20.
"Any equipment sharing must be limited. All shared objects must be cleaned and sanitized at the end of each practice, game, and between uses,” said state Health Secretary Judy Persichilli.
There is still no word on when gyms or malls may reopen.
Murphy, at his daily briefing, said Stage 2 of reopening is based on a continued decline in the growth of positive cases, the rate of transmission and new hospitalizations.
"This moment calls for a 'Moneyball' approach: Putting the hard facts to use and following their lead. Not making a hasty gut call and hoping that the numbers will simply catch up,” he said.
Murphy expects a move to Stage Three — when most activities would be allowed again — within weeks and not months.
But he said his goal is not to have a spike in cases because the state reopened too soon.
Officials reported 274 additional positive coronavirus cases Monday, bringing the state total to 167,103 cases, with 12,676 coronavirus-related fatalities.
Outdoor dining
Owner Fotios Farmakis said he’s happy for his staff, who have been out of work and are back working.
“I feel 20 years younger. After three months of not seeing anybody, it makes me feel great,” he said.
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