As part of New Jersey´s entering into the new normal, Gov. Phil Murphy announced some additional major reopenings on Monday.
According to Murphy indoor dining may resume on July 2nd, limited at first to 25 percent capacity. Casinos also may reopen on July 2nd, operating at 25 percent capacity.
The announcement comes ahead of Independence Day weekend.
Casinos have been closed since March 16. Murphy established the same measure to gyms and indoor entertainment venues in order to check the spread of the novel coronavirus. However, online gambling was allowed to continue.
The Garden State´s governor published on twitter that guidelines for casinos and indoor dining “will be released within the next several days.”
BREAKING: On Thursday, July 2nd:
🎰Casinos may reopen – operating at 25% capacity
🍽️Indoor dining may resume – limited at first to 25% capacityAdditional health and safety guidance will be released within the next several days. pic.twitter.com/b4jY2fR3sp
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) June 22, 2020
Restaurants have been limited to take-out and delivery services until recently when outdoor dining was permitted.
The update comes as pools, barbers, hair salons and sports were allowed to resume on Monday.
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It is anticipated that the limit on outdoor gatherings will increase to 250 people. Murphy will make that decision based on whether the number of new cases continues to trend downward. Currently, the limit is 100 people.
Despite the optimism that these reopening measures can generate, Murphy was emphatic in stating that the implementation of these steps could be reversed in the event of a significant spike in COVID-19 cases.