What Can Reopen This Week In Cranford: Playgrounds, Malls

CRANFORD, NJ — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy last week announced that playgrounds and amusement parks can reopen Thursday. Malls, such as the Paramus Park Mall and the Short Hills Mall, can open Monday (check the mall websites to be sure of hours and dates).

While states like Texas and Florida have had to re-close certain businesses and facilities in the last week due to record-topping coronavirus spikes — the governor of Texas ordered all bars to close there on Friday — the numbers are still declining in New Jersey, for now.

On Friday, Gov. Murphy announced 524 additional coronavirus cases and 44 more deaths in the previous 24 hours, bringing the totals statewide to 170,584 cases and 13,060 confirmed deaths.

The virus is clearly still spreading, but new cases have declined steadily since the state's most deadly day, April 30, when 460 New Jerseyans had been lost to the virus in 24 hours, or one person every three minutes.

Murphy has said that facilities and businesses in the state must reopen carefully, in phases, to prevent spikes like in other states that reopened earlier.

Business owners and members of business organizations said Friday that they are excited for the various reopenings.

Bob Zuckerman, who is president of Downtown New Jersey, said Friday, “We are thrilled to see our businesses opening up again. We handled COVID-19 the right way here in New Jersey by using data and science to drive our decision-making. While it’s been a rough few months for many of our businesses, we couldn’t be happier that most of them are getting back on their feet."

Indoor dining in Cranford

In his newsletter on June 23, Mayor Patrick Giblin said, "Beginning Thursday, July 2, restaurants will be allowed to serve customers inside at 25 percent of their usual capacity to conform to the social distancing rules. Outdoor dining, including the use of public streets and spaces, will continue so that restaurants can maximize the number of customers. Check with each restaurant for specific information, hours, menus and information about curbside pickup."

But Gov. Phil Murphy walked back the indoor dining allowance on Monday, saying crowded bar/restaurants were helping spread the virus. Thus, indoor dining is postponed.

Outdoor dining in Cranford: Eastman and Alden streets

Glblin noted: "The Township has approved closing a portion of Eastman Street from North Avenue to Miln Street to permit restaurants and other businesses to use the space. This will be similar to the Alden Street closing that started last week and will continue Thursday afternoons to Sunday evenings. Restaurants are invited to serve customers and other businesses can use the space for classes and activities."

Salons

Regarding salons, which could open last week, Giblin said last week, "Personal care services, like hair and nail salons, barbers, tattoo and massage businesses, cosmetology and spas, reopened this week but customers can be seen by appointment only. For more details about what to expect please go here."

What about the malls?

Paramus Park Mall in Paramus said it will reopen Monday.

The Short Hills Mall will open starting Monday, within guidelines.

The Simon company has been posting updates on its mall websites, like this one for Newport Centre in Jersey City, about the stores at the mall reopening. Check the website for updates.

Some malls in New Jersey have said that children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Other Cranford updates

To read about Cranford business initiatives and other recent coronavirus updates, reopenings, and statistics, click here.

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