TRENTON (WCBS 880) — All indoor malls and amusement parks will close in New Jersey beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday, according to Gov. Phil Murphy.
Murphy said he understands the closures and restrictions are "drastic" and could be confusing to some people. He says the state "makes the final call" when it comes to closures.
The announcement came as New Jersey confirmed there were a new total of 267 COVID-19 cases in the state.
On Monday, he joined New York and Connecticut in banning all gatherings of 50 people or more and ordered all restaurants and bars in the state operate for take-out or delivery only.
Murphy notes that certain restaurants that operate inside some malls may remain open under certain circumstances.
“Restaurants which are located within these indoor malls and which also have their own entrances separate from the general mall entrances may remain open under the same rules and regulations we announced yesterday,” he announced.
Murphy also announced the state is looking to dramatically increase testing capabilities. With the help of FEMA, the state will be opening up two drive-through testing facilities.
One will be located at Bergen County Community College and at the PNC Performing Arts Center.
"This is no time to panic, but this is not the time for business as usual," the governor said.
State officials say now is the time to act, especially since 55% of all positive cases in New Jersey have required hospitalization.
The move to close all the malls came hours after Bergen county Executive James Tedesco ordered all retail centers to close on Saturday.
"The stops that I am going to take should slow the spread of COVID-19 and hopefully limit the overall impact on our lives," Tedesco said at a press conference earlier in the day.
The order was originally scheduled to go into effect at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, but was pushed back to 8 a.m. on Saturday. Under Gov. Murphy's new regulations, it will go into effect at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Business owners might question the county executive's legal authority, but Tedesco says that he had the moral authority to close the malls.
"If you want to put money ahead of someone's life, shame on you," he added.
Certain businesses will be exempt, including grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, banks, law firms, liquor stores, pet food shops and funeral parlors.
"You can question my actions, but don't question my reason," Tedesco said. "Because these actions are necessary."
Tom Brackenn, head of New Jersey’s Chamber of Commerce, says he understands the decision. He also believes it’s best to contain the spread of COVID-19.
“It’s consistent with helping flatten the curve to start to have the number of cases subside and they’ll get us to the end quicker, so I think this makes a whole lot of sense,” he tells WCBS 880’s Sean Adams.
However, he recognizes that the benefit for public heath comes with a cost to local business owners.
“Companies are very concerned about the overall financial health and survival of their business, but also have great concerns for their employees,” Brackenn said.
The Chamber of Commerce hopes the state and federal government move swiftly to pass economic stimulus packages to provide assistance for short term cash flow and long-term viability.