BREAKING: Casinos Can Reopen & Indoor Dining Can Resume in New Jersey on July 2

Casinos can reopen and indoor dining will be able to resume in New Jersey by the end of next week. Governor Phil Murphy just announced the news on Twitter.

Here's what we know right now: 
- Casinos will be allowed to operate at 25% of their capacity starting on Thursday, July 2, the governor says.
- Indoor dining may resume, but it will be limited “at first to 25% capacity, according to Murphy.

The exact health and safety guidelines for both businesses will be released within “the next several days.”

Meanwhile, personal care businesses (such as salons, barbershops, and nail salons) reopened in New Jersey today with extensive health guidelines.

Casinos in Atlantic City closed on the night of March 16th as the coronavirus pandemic began to spread across our region. The closures resulted in tens of thousands of casino workers becoming unemployed with massive traffic jams surrounding food distribution events for workers. Drone footage was recorded during the shutdown which showed eerily empty streets in a normally-hectic gambling town.

News of casinos reopening comes just days after Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small signed an executive order allowing open containers of alcohol on the Boardwalk.

This is a developing story. We’re working to get more details as soon as they’re made available.