UPDATED: 12:27 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As coronavirus cases surge at an alarming rate, New Jersey officials are announcing new restrictions in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.
On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced an executive order retightening restrictions: Indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people — down from the current limit of 25 — effective Tuesday at 6 a.m. Outdoor events are limited to 150 — down from 500 — effective in a week, on Nov. 23.
Murphy said community spread is a serious problem. People are letting their guards down to socialize and getting infected as a result.
“It’s a lot of private setting transmission,” he said. “Particularly with the holidays coming up, we gotta plead with people to not let their hair down, to be vigilant, social distance, face coverings. All the basic stuff that we know works.”
With cases on the rise and the holidays approaching, Murphy urges everyone to continue to social distance and wear masks. He asks residents to keep holiday gatherings as small as possible.
“The smaller the gathering is, the less likely it is that someone is infected and puts their loved ones at risk. It is that simple,” said Murphy.
Outdoor gatherings must also abide by social distancing and mask-wearing mandates.
“We think those are steps coupled with some of the other steps we’ve taken, which will hopefully begin to shave these numbers down,” he added.
Some indoor gatherings may continue under the current rules of 25% capacity, up to 150 people, including religious services, political events, weddings, funerals, and performances. Indoor sports practices and competitions are allowed to exceed the new 10-person limit, but only for necessary people, like players, coaches and referees — not spectators.
Last week, New Jersey also instituted a 10 p.m. indoor dining curfew.
COVID-19 cases break record
On Monday, Murphy reported 2,232 new cases of the coronavirus. The weekend saw much higher daily case counts — 3,399 on Friday, 4,395 on Saturday, and 4,540 on Sunday.
The past four days total 14,566 cases, which is 5% of the entire cumulative total since the start of the pandemic.
Additionally, Saturday and Sunday’s numbers and the first- and second-highest daily counts since the start of the pandemic. Murphy said, “We have to get back in front of this virus.”
The positivity rate for all PCR tests stands at 9.43%, as of Nov. 12.
The statewide death toll stands at 14,779.
Murphy said the recent vaccine updates from Pfizer and Moderna are promising, but he emphasized that a vaccine is not yet available. And when it becomes available, it will take months before we return to life as it was before the coronavirus.
Philadelphia is also tightening restrictions again. The city’s plans will be divulged at a 1 p.m. press briefing.
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