Gov. Murphy: Surge In COVID Variants In NJ Will Delay Reopenings

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy told CNN on Monday that New Jersey will have to hold off on reopenings because of the surge in COVID-19 virus variants in the region.

Murphy said the surge in variants means that New Jersey won't have reopenings in the near future. He didn't provide a specific timeline.

“We won’t be opening further capacities for some time now,” Murphy said on CNN's New Day on Monday. “We want to do this safely and responsibly."

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said there are at least 400 COVID variant cases in New Jersey, which are known to spread more quickly and perhaps cause more harmful effects.

Of those, 389 are the U.K. variant and one is the South African variant. Sixty-five are the New York variant, which has been associated with reduced vaccine efficacy.

Murphy addressed the matter during his 1 p.m. news conference on Monday, noting that New Jersey's new case rate is now among the highest – if not the highest – in the country right now.

Even with the progress in vaccines, he said, people still need to take steps to stop the spread, social distance and wear masks.

"We are back to leading the nation in the spread of the virus, he said during the news conference. "Only you all can stop the spread of the virus." Read more: WATCH: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ Coronavirus, Vaccines Update

A new report, meanwhile, suggests the coronavirus risk has risen in a number of New Jersey counties — and even statewide. Here's why and where: Read more: NJ Counties Backslide In Coronavirus Crisis: Here's Where

Murphy also stood by his comments regarding a vaccine "passport" for travelers, saying he may float the idea in the near future.

On Friday, Murphy began rolling back restrictions with the reopening of several areas of dining, entertainment and sports.

According to Murphy, the coronavirus restriction rollbacks came largely due to increased vaccination efforts, an expansion of vaccine eligibility and data-based hospitalization evidence within the last several weeks. As of 9 a.m. Friday, New Jersey had administered 3,274,585 COVID-19 vaccine doses.

As of Friday, restaurants, cafeterias and food courts can increase indoor capacity limits from 35 to 50 percent, excluding employees. The changes also include indoor recreation facilities, amusement centers, personal care services (barber shops, nail salons, and other personal care businesses) and entertainment businesses (including casinos, movie theaters and gyms).

For entertainment centers where performances are given such as movie theaters, performing arts centers, and other concert venues, the indoor limit will be capped at 35 percent of the maximum capacity. The limit must never be larger than 150 people, excluding the entertainment center's staff.

Seating will still not be allowed in bars, Murphy has said.

In addition, the indoor gathering limit will increase from 10 people to 25 people as face covering and social distancing requirements are strictly observed. The general outdoor gathering limit will increase from 25 people to 50 people.

However, certain outdoor events, religious services or ceremonies, political events, weddings, funerals or memorial services, can be treated "differently from casual social gatherings … which occur on a more frequent basis and typically do not present the same compelling need," the executive order continues.

The number of people at indoor gatherings — including political activities, wedding ceremonies, funerals or memorial services — is limited to 35 percent of the capacity, with no more than 150 total.

Any private residence or residential unit will be considered a single room.

"50 percent capacity is a limit that will continue to restrict the congregation of large numbers of individuals in indoor settings," Murphy's executive order reads.

The world’s largest movie theater chain AMC has announced that it will be opening almost all of its U.S. sites starting Friday. Theaters will open with enhanced cleaning, contactless ticketing, distanced seating and mask mandates, according to a statement from AMC. The chain touts 27 locations in New Jersey.

"We believe we can confidently take these steps as our COVID-19 metrics continue to trend in the right direction," Murphy said. "However, our mask mandate and COVID-19 health and safety protocols remain in effect. I am hopeful that we'll be able to take further steps in expanding capacity responsibly and incrementally guided by public health data."

The expansion also serves as good news to those participating in interstate youth sports, as the outdoor gathering limit increase also coincides with the expiration of the prohibition on outdoor interstate youth sports competitions. As of Friday, attendees will be limited to players, coaches and officials and up to two parents or guardians per participating athlete. Indoor interstate sports competitions will still be prohibited.

Nicole Rosenthal contributed to this story.

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