NJ This Week: Expect COVID Changes As Memorial Day Weekend Comes

NEW JERSEY — New Jerseyans can reportedly expect Memorial Day weekend to be different this year amid the state’s major reopening efforts.

After capacity restrictions and the outdoor mask mandate for vaccinated people were lifted on Wednesday, several reports say Gov. Phil Murphy is ready to make changes to the indoor mask mandate before Memorial Day weekend. Read more: Changes In COVID Mask Rules Coming In NJ: Reports

Murphy is expected to address the mask mandate during his 1 p.m. news conference on Monday. Read more: WATCH LIVE: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ COVID, Masks, Reopening Update

Here's also expected to address two other COVID-related issues either during the news conference or soon thereafter:

Rules for schools

Murphy and the state Department of Education are expected to announce the state's plans for getting kids back into full-time in-person instruction during the fall.

State officials are expected to release those plans on Monday and they may answer some of the following questions:

Will kids still wear masks in schools? Will barriers be set up? Will any social distancing rules be in place? How do New Jersey schools plan to address children under the age of 12 who are still not eligible to be vaccinated?

Murphy has said that remote learning will not be an option. All children will have to return to their buildings. Read more: NJ Lifts COVID Travel Advisory, Orders In-Person School Next Year

Beaches, parades and other summer activities

Murphy allowed beaches to reopen last year at the peak of the COVID pandemic and outdoor mask rules weren't fully enforced. The Jersey Shore ultimately had a very successful summer season despite the fact that people were expected to stay 6-feet apart.

This summer, Murphy is expected to provide more leeway – especially given the changes in mask and social-distancing rules. Murphy

Many summer activities — arcades, rides and water parks — are also back in operation this year.

Most towns are preparing to open their beaches Memorial Day weekend. Some will be open daily, but others will operate weekends only until mid-June. Read more: Patch's 2021 Jersey Shore Beach Guide Amid COVID: What To Know

Special events, including fireworks displays and parades, are also permitted as long as they comply with social distancing measures, according to state guidelines.

Related:

• Brick Announces 2021 Memorial Day Parade
• Moorestown Returns To Live Memorial Day Ceremony Amid Pandemic
• No Marching In 2021 Farmingdale Memorial Day Parade: Officials

The "Jersey Devil" soon will be haunting the Pine Barrens, too, thrilling patrons at Six Flags Great Adventure, park officials said, as testing on the coaster slated to open this summer has begun. Read more: Six Flags' Jersey Devil Coaster Gets Its First Test Run

Just last week, Murphy said it was still too soon for vaccinated New Jerseyans to ditch the masks indoors. He said the outdoor mask mandate was lifted because the virus is much more lethal inside. Read more: 5 Reasons Why Gov. Murphy Won't Lift NJ COVID-19 Mask Mandate Yet

Murphy’s expected reversal, which would reportedly take effect on Friday, would follow updated guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention that advises fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks indoors.

New Jersey was one of the last hold-outs in retaining the indoor mask rule and not announcing. date for changing it. New York and Pennsylvania have lifted their indoor and outdoor mask mandates for vaccinated people.

Keep up to date with what's happening in your community by subscribing to your local Patch newsletter here.