SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — The indoor dining limit in New Jersey is going up.
Gov. Phil Murphy said indoor restaurant capacity will increase from 35% to 50% starting March 19.
The order also applies to barbershops, salons, casinos, gyms and other personal care businesses.
Indoor gatherings — that are not religious ceremonies, political events, weddings, funerals or performances — can also increase to 25 people, which is up from 10. Outdoor gatherings are allowed to increase from 25 to 50 individuals.
“We believe that when all factors are weighed, we can make this expansion without leading to undue further stress on our health care system,” Murphy said.
Sitting at bars, however, is still prohibited.
The last time restaurant capacity increased in early February — from 25% to 35% — Murphy said hospitals were treating nearly 2,900 patients. Now, that number is down by 1,000 and has been remained consistent.
The governor still encourages everyone to participate in activities outdoors — a perk as the weather warms up — whenever possible, as COVID-19 is more transmissible indoors.
New Jersey has administered 2.6 million vaccine doses so far.
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