TRENTON, N.J. (WCBS 880) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday announced the state will be increasing capacity limits for a variety of indoor and outdoor events beginning next month.
Starting May 10, indoor room capacity for private catered events will increase to 50%, with a max capacity of 250 people.
The rule will apply to funerals, wedding receptions, political events, memorial services and even proms, among other indoor events.
“We know that this move to a 50%, 250-person limit will be especially helpful for schools currently planning student proms,” Murphy said.
Dance floors will be allowed to open inside the venues, so long as everyone is wearing masks and remaining socially distant. Dance floors at other businesses – such as bars and nightclubs – will remain closed in the state for the time being.
Graduation ceremonies will be able to operate at either the state’s outdoor gathering limit – which will increase to 500 people on May 10 – or the state’s large venues guidelines.
Gov. Murphy said that the 500-person limit for outdoor gatherings will help many industries begin planning for summer, but he is hopeful that capacity limit will be able to increase again soon.
“If our public health metrics continue to trend as they have been, we would hope to increase this yet again before Memorial Day, perhaps substantially,” the governor said. “But that requires all of us to continue doing the right thing, including getting vaccinated.”
The governor also announced that large outdoor venues – facilities with 1,000 or more fixed seats – can also increase capacity limits to 50% next month, so long as the venue can safely keep six-feet of distance between seated groups.
Large outdoor venues, those with 1000 or more fixed seats, they can move to 50% capacity, so long as they can keep six feet of distanced between seated groups.
“We will be prepared to relax the six-foot distancing requirement outdoors, accordingly – should the CDC move in that direction,” the governor added.
Additionally, on May 10, carnivals and fairs in the state can operate at 50% capacity – including the New Jersey State Fair. Murphy says the state has updated its guidelines to align the fairs with other amusement businesses.
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