New Jersey’s Indoor Recreation Venues Can Reopen on July 2; Gyms to Remain Closed
Indoor recreational facilities, aquariums, museums, and libraries will be allowed to reopen at limited occupancy across New Jersey on July 2, Governor Phil Murphy just announced.
The announcement includes indoor bowling alleys, batting cages, shooting ranges, and boardwalk arcades. Capacity in these venues will be capped at 25% initially, Governor Murphy said during Wednesday afternoon's daily press briefing.
Gyms and fitness centers are to remain closed for the time being, however. Individualized training sessions can resume by appointment.
Additionally, indoor entertainment venues, such as movie theaters, performing arts centers, concert venues, and nightclubs, will also remain closed.
The governor called on New Jerseyians to be extra vigilant about the coronavirus when they're indoors.
"That’s why we’re requiring all businesses reopening to implement heightened standards of sanitation, social distancing measures, and face covering requirements," he said.
Of course, visitors will be required to wear masks in the businesses that were announced today as well.
"Wearing a mask at indoor activities is REQUIRED. This is NOT a polite suggestion. It is a requirement," Murphy said. "When indoors, you must keep your mouth & nose covered, except if you’re sitting down at a table to eat or drink, for religious purposes, or your personal health requires it."
During the press conference, Murphy announced that the state had 317 new positive COVID-19 test results, bringing the state's cumulative total since March 4 to 169,892. The state's positivity rate (per testing) for June 20th was 2.83%.
Earlier in the day on Monday, Murphy joined with the governors of New York and Connecticut to announce plans that will require visitors from the hardest-hit states on a rolling basis to quarantine for 14 days after arriving in New Jersey. Click here for more details on that announcement.
It's been a busy week as the Murphy administration has made several announcements about the opening of the Garden State.
Late last week it was announced that New Jersey's indoor shopping malls can reopen on Monday, June 29. Just today we reported the Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrenceville will open on Monday.
Indoor dining (with limited capacity) will be allowed to resume on July 2 throughout the state, and casinos can reopen on July 2 (at limited capacity), the governor announced on Monday.
Just yesterday, Murphy announced that outdoor amusement and water parks could reopen next week as well. As a result, Six Flags Great Adventure just announced their opening plans for July 3.