Gov. Murphy Says COVID Variant Slowing NJ's Reopening: Here's How

NEW JERSEY — The presence of the coronavirus variant that originated overseas has slowed down reopening attempts in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

“But for the variant, I think we would be planning right now a much more full reopen over the next few weeks,” Murphy said. “The variant sort of hangs over our head.”

Murphy, for instance, said he doesn't see the state lifting the mandate on the use of face coverings inside anytime soon.

"That is not in the cards anytime soon," Murphy said. "Obviously, you have to take masks off to eat or drink. That’s why capacities matter in restaurants."

Read more: Here's What You Can Do Now Amid COVID In NJ: Are Reopenings Next?

The B.1.1.7 variant, which first emerged in the United Kingdom, has infected 50 New Jersey residents, according to New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. (See the county-by-county breakdown below.)

There are multiple variants of the coronavirus, but B.1.1.7 is the only variant that has been found in New Jersey. It poses problems for a state desperately trying to fully reopen nearly a year after being initially shut down.

“We know it’s more easily transmitted,” Murphy said of the variant. “We know the vaccines still work against severe illness and death, but they work less well than they do against the main virus. And the science is incomplete.”

The state also is working to better distribute the vaccine, a situation that's been held up by the weather. Read more: NJ Extends COVID-19 Emergency, Citing Need To Boost Vaccines

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Noting that the trajectory of the pandemic has been going down in every aspect for the last month, former New Jersey Epidemiologist Dr. Eddy Bresnitz said decisions about reopening will have to be made.

“The difficulty is making policy decisions when you don’t know what’s coming,” Bresnitz said. “Even with the increasing prevalence of the variant, as long as we continue to do everything we’ve been emphasizing over the last year, and increasing vaccination rates, we’re going to continue heading in the same direction. At some point, those decisions about loosening restrictions still have to be made, even though we’re concerned about the variant.”

If the trajectory, particularly the hospitalization rate, continues to go down, Murphy said the state could take additional steps to reopen sooner than later.

"There’s no question we’ll take more steps to open up," Murphy said. "I don’t know what they are or when they are, but we’ll be more cautious than we would have been absent the variants."

At the same time, they need to be ready to reverse course if necessary, Bresnitz said. Murphy said reversing course is not something he wants to do. He also said the advice echoes that of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert.

“Keep doing the basic stuff, keep the vaccine rollout going, and ultimately, it will sort itself through,” Murphy said.

The statements come as the state continues to reopen at slow and deliberate pace. Last week, Murphy announced that some spectators would be allowed at indoor and outdoor high school and other youth sporting events. Read more here: Gov. Murphy To Allow Spectators At NJ School Sports Amid COVID-19

A week earlier, Murphy announced that limits on indoor gatherings will increase to 35 percent, up from 25 percent, effective 8 a.m. last Friday. The number of people permitted indoors will be limited to 150.

Of note, Murphy announced that restaurants will also be permitted to stay open past 10 p.m. The announcement came as restaurants and bars prepared for Super Bowl Sunday.

The changes also applied to gyms, casinos, performance venues, barbershops, hair salons and amusement and indoor recreation. Religious ceremonies such as weddings and memorial services or funerals would also be allowed to expand attendance. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Loosen NJ's Indoor COVID-19 Rules

On Wednesday, Persichilli noted the state is studying all variants, looking for any changes that increase transmissivity or severity, or show resistance to vaccines. The following is the county-by-county breakdown of where the B.1.1.7 variant has been found in New Jersey:

• Atlantic: 1
• Burlington: 4
• Essex: 7
• Hudson: 2
• Mercer: 4
• Middlesex: 4
• Monmouth: 4
• Morris: 4
• Ocean: 14
• Passaic: 2
• Union: 2
• Warren: 2