New Jersey’s Amusement & Water Parks Can Open Next Week

Outdoor amusement rides and water parks in New Jersey will be able to reopen ahead of the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Governor Murphy announced today (June 23) that the state’s outdoor amusement parks, outdoor water parks, and playgrounds CAN reopen on Thursday, July 2.

Today’s news even includes the reopening of rides on the boardwalk.

Attendance will be capped at 50% and facial coverings will be required. Additional guidance for these venues will be given soon, the Murphy administration says.

Murphy had a stern warning for the residents and visitors of the Garden State as they head back towards our new normal.

“Keep your distances. Wear your masks. Be smart and courteous – the world isn’t about you,” the governor warned during Tuesday’s press conference. “Don’t be the knucklehead who ruins it for everyone else.”

The governor emphasized that the state's COVID-19 case numbers need to continue trending in the right direction in order for the state to make progress.
"There is absolutely no reason for our rate of transmission to begin to creep back up because people have become complacent in social distancing, or are crowding around bars and restaurants unmasked," Murphy says.

So if you're headed outdoors in the coming weeks, Murphy reminds you to wear your face mask.
"I know the last thing anyone wants is a face-covering tan. I know many people think that just because the weather is hot, they can’t catch the coronavirus that causes COVID-19," Murphy says. "I know many young people think this virus isn’t after them. In every case, you are wrong."

Today's announcement comes just a day after the Governor announced that indoor dining can also resume on July 2nd. In addition, Atlantic City's casinos can open on July 2 as well.