New Jersey To Re-Open Outdoor Dining, Retail Effective June 15; Hair Salons Shortly After

New Jersey will enter stage two of the state’s COVID-19 recovery, effective Monday, June 15, the state’s governor Phil Murphy just announced in a press conference.

The governor anticipates that outdoor dining and limited in-person retail will be able to re-open on Monday, June 15.

Barbershops and hair salons should be able to re-open on June 22.

Gyms and healthcare facilities are expected to reopen behind them, but the governor did NOT announce a date for their planned re-opening.

Guidance will be given to these businesses some time this week as extensive health and safety measures are expected to be put into place by the state’s health officials.

“We are ready to move to stage two, assuming we don’t see a precipitous backslide, we will enter stage two on Monday, June 15,” Murphy said during Monday’s COVID-19 press briefing.

The state has taken extensive steps to increase COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, which is one of the driving factors listed in the state’s re-opening plan. Additionally, Governor Murphy noted the resilience of the state’s health care systems (availability of ICU beds, ventilators, and more). New Jersey now leads the nation in the number of daily tests recorded per capita, according to the governor’s office.

“As we open, we know there is a greater chance for transmission of the virus,” Murphy acknowledged.
“The only cure is responsibility,” he said as he called on residents to continue to practice social distancing, proper hygiene, and to use facial coverings.

This is a developing story. We’ll have more details when they’re made available by state officials.