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

NEW JERSEY - As total COVID-19 cases surpass the 700,000 mark in New Jersey, another important - and decidedly more positive - milestone has been reached. Over 1.4 million vaccine doses have been distributed in the state, with 1.094 million have been administered, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In light of increased vaccination efforts and data-based evidence that hospitalizations are decreasing, Gov. Phil Murphy has rolled back several coronavirus restrictions (see list of activities that have reopened since May, as well the new limits imposed, below).

And he may take more steps, he says, as cases continue to decline and the transmission rate has fallen below 1.0, which is considered a level too high and indicates that the virus is community-spread.

Two areas where Murphy has suggested that could be subjected to reopenings or expansion: schools, because of the low rate of transmission; indoor dining, because of the lack of cases coming from there; and sports.

"I feel comfortable signing this order because of our recent hospital trends and our rate of transmission," Murphy said. "While some of these numbers are still high, we believe we can make this expansion without leading to undue or further stress on our healthcare system. The proprietors have done an exceptional job, but so much of the credit needs to go to the millions of you who have taken your responsibility for ending this pandemic to heart."

At the same time, Murphy has expressed hope that teachers will be next in line to get vaccines, which will help with the expansion of the schools. He said just two weeks ago that they should get vaccines "within weeks." Read more: NJ Teachers Want COVID Vaccine; Gov. Murphy Has Possible Timeline

Many more sites – particularly those at Rite Aid and CVS – are now available for vaccines. Read more: 74 Rite Aid, 27 CVS Pharmacies In NJ Begin COVID-19 Vaccines

New Jersey also says it's working out the kinks in its vaccination distribution system as concerns are rising about its efficiency. Read more: NJ's Top 10 COVID Vaccine Questions: What You Need To Know

Seven New Jersey counties have left the "red" zone for COVID-19 outbreak severity, the White House Task Force said in its most recent report. Read more: 5 NJ Counties Remain In Red Zone: White House COVID Task Force

Here are some areas of New Jersey life that Murphy has recently opened up – or declared that they are hands-off, for now – and what may happen to them in the future:

Indoor occupancy and dining

Pennsylvania and New York have reopened indoor dining following a prolonged period of outdoor-only service. As of last week, New Jersey's governor has lifted the 10 p.m. curfew that has been in effect since November. The maximum indoor capacity has also been slightly increased from 25 to 35 percent, however bar seating is still prohibited.

The maximum number of people permitted at indoor gatherings will be limited to 150. Towns will be also allowed to place their own restrictions.

The capacity changes will affect restaurants and services beauty salons, movie theaters and tattoo parlors. Gyms, retail shops, libraries are also subject to capacity restrictions.

Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, released the following statement regarding the incremental relaxing of indoor restrictions and capacity limits:

"(The) announcement by Governor Murphy is a good step in the right direction, particularly as it relates to restaurants being permitted to stay open past 10 p.m. For many New Jersey establishments, the removal of that curfew will be of great benefit. We hope municipalities will continue to work with establishments to allow for expanded hours upon satisfying safety protocols.”

Limits on outdoor gatherings and indoor sports

All indoor high school sports and youth sports resumed in January, reversing a December order to pause all indoor winter sporting activities.

"We do not take this step lightly. I am a huge sports fan and all of our kids play sports. I hope and intend to see the winter sports season in January," the governor said at a 2020 press briefing. "But we are seeing outbreaks related to indoor sports and this a prudent, short-term step to slow the spread."

As of Thursday, the governor will allow a certain amount of spectators at indoor and outdoor high school and other youth sporting events. Spectators will be limited to two parents or guardians per athlete, as long as attendants don't exceed the room capacity. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Allow Spectators At NJ School Sports Amid COVID-19

The hockey season is being extended to March 6 due to constraints on ice time. Basketball, fencing and bowling competitions begin Jan. 26, with all seasons slated to end by March 6. Swimming and winter track competitions begin Feb. 16 and end March 27, and wrestling, girls volleyball and gymnastics competitions begin March 16 and end April 24.

This year, there won’t be state tournaments for basketball, fencing, bowling, swimming or winter track. The NJSIAA is still weighing state tournament possibilities for wrestling, gymnastics and girls volleyball. Read more: Murphy: Indoor Winter Sports Can Resume Saturday Amid Pandemic

"NJSIAA welcomes the governor's announcement and continued support, and looks forward to the beginning of the indoor, winter, scholastic sports season – specifically, NJSIAA season 2," the association said.

"Occupancy restrictions will remain in effect as established by the governor's Executive Orders. And, of course, public health data still may impact our upcoming seasons, so it's essential that we all continue supporting the 3 Ws — wear your masks, watch your distance, and wash your hands.”

Schools can be hybrid, fully in-person or remote

Regarding schools, Murphy has continued to follow the words of Anthony Fauci, the immunologist who has served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Fauci has said that communities and states should close bars before schools.

Murphy has suggested that schools will be the last thing he'll close, saying that in-person education is so valuable that the state will work hard to make sure there are protections in place.

A growing list of districts are now calling on Murphy to add teachers to the eligibility list, with one New Jersey superintendent saying this week that it's time to "normalize" the school day by making the classrooms safer and getting educators vaccinated.

"I hope sooner than later, within I'd say a few weeks, we're going to get to the next group and that will most certainly be and include educators," Murphy said in January. "So I think it's sooner than later, but we got to let a little bit of this first wave of supply/demand get a little more in balance with that increased supply."

Read more: NJ Teachers Want COVID Vaccine; Gov. Murphy Has Possible Timeline

Vaccines

Eligible New Jersey residents are now able to register to get vaccinated against COVID-19 (see herefor who's currently eligible).

The state's vaccine hub website now has listed a number of stores in towns in New Jersey and asked people to sign up here: https://www.riteaid.com/pharma...

The state has also opened a call center that has more than 1,000 people staffing it to address vaccine issues, according to Persichilli, but Murphy has praised local outreach efforts to help get shots to people who need it, such as seniors.

"We applaud the effort of the many other vaccination sites that are conducting direct outreach in their communities to make appointments for seniors and others who many not have internet access," the governor said.

Here is what has opened since May, and remains available to the public:

• Fishing charters and watercraft rentals reopened at 6 a.m. on May 17th
• Nonessential retail stores for online and phone ordering and curbside pickup, as well as nonessential construction, were allowed to resume at 6 a.m. on May 18th
• In-person automobile and motorcycle sales were allowed to return on May 20th
• Beaches were allowed to reopen on May 22nd
• Batting cages and golf ranges, with foursomes – not just pairings – were allowed to tee-off on May 22nd
• Shooting and archery ranges, horseback riding and private tennis clubs and community gardens were allowed to resume on May 22nd
• Elective and invasive surgeries were allowed to resume on May 26th
• Open houses to view real estate, with attendees wearing face coverings, resumed on June 14th
• Car washes were allowed to resume on June 14th
• Yard and garage sales were allowed to resume on June 14th
• Fireworks displays at public and private beaches, boardwalks, lakes and lakeshores were allowed to resume on June 14th
• Outdoor dining reopened on June 15th
• Child care centers reopened on June 15th
• MVC driver services resumed on June 15th
• Municipal and private-club swimming pools reopened on June 22nd
• Non-contact organized sports activities restarted on June 22nd
• Beauty salons reopened on June 22nd
• Barber shops reopened on June 22nd
• Cosmetology shops reopened on June 22nd
• Day and medical spas (not steam rooms, saunas or shared bathing facilities) reopened on June 22nd
• Electrology facilities reopened on June 22nd
• Hair braiding shops reopened on June 22nd
• Massage parlors reopened on June 22nd
• Nail salons reopened on June 22nd
• Tanning salons reopened on June 22nd
• Tattoo parlors reopened on June 22nd
• Golf and tennis resumed competitions on June 22nd
• Baseball, softball, soccer and outdoor basketball resumed on June 22nd, but they are limited to non-contact drills and practices.
• Non-contact football drills resumed on June 22nd
• Inspections and road tests resumed on June 29th
• Indoor malls reopened on June 29th
• In-person clinical labs and hands-on programming at colleges were allowed to resume on July 1
• Career and training schools reopened on July 1st
• Gymnastic centers reopened on July 2nd
• Dance studios reopened on July 2nd
• Playgrounds reopened on July 2nd
• Amusement parks reopened on July 2nd
• Water parks reopened on July 2nd.
• Casinos reopened on July 2nd.
• Racetracks reopened for in-person bets on July 2nd
• Museums reopened at 25 percent of capacity on July 2nd
• Aquariums reopened at 25 percent of capacity on July 2nd
• Bowling alleys reopened at 25 percent of capacity on July 2nd
• Shooting ranges reopened at 25 percent of capacity on July 2nd
• Arcades reopened at 25 percent of capacity on July 2nd
• Libraries reopened on July 2nd
• Gym and fitness centers opened only for individualized training, and by appointment, involving one person and/or your family on July 2nd
• Indoor pools reopened on July 3rd
• Youth summer camps and programs reopened on July 6th
• In-person graduations were allowed to begin on July 6th
• Baseball, softball, soccer and outdoor basketball competitions were allowed to resume on July 6th
• NJ Transit returned to full weekday service on July 6th
• MVC driver in-person driver services, including driver's license renewals, resumed on July 7th
• NJ Transit's 50-percent capacity limit was lifted on July 15th.
• Full football practices and competitions resumed on July 20th.
• Yoga and martial arts studios were allowed to resume on July 22nd.
• Gyms and indoor amusements reopened on Sept. 1.
• Indoor dining resumed on Sept. 4
• Movie theaters resumed on Sept. 4

With reporting by Anthony Bellano, Karen Wall and Tom Davis.