What You Can Now Do In Hoboken Amid NJ's Changing COVID Rules

HOBOKEN, NJ — As of Wednesday, capacity limits are being removed at New Jersey's restaurants, gyms, and retail establishments — with precautions still in place, like social distancing in restaurants and indoor masking. READ MORE: Big NJ Reopening Day: What You Can (And Can't) Do Now Amid COVID

In Hoboken, a spokesman for Mayor Ravi Bhalla said the city will comply with the changes in state mandates.

"Mayor Bhalla welcomes the data-driven approach that has been adopted by Governor Murphy throughout the pandemic," said city spokesman Vijay Chaudhuri. "Given the higher rate of vaccinations of both residents and employees of local businesses, he believes the lifting of capacity limits is appropriate, which will help in Hoboken’s continued pandemic recovery. As before, Mayor Bhalla encourages any patrons of local businesses to get vaccinated with the many vaccine clinics available in Hoboken."

Read more about how many Hoboken residents are vaccinated, and where to get a free vaccine, here: This Percentage Of Hoboken Residents Are Vaccinated, By Age Group

The CDC said last week that it considers people "fully vaccinated" two weeks after their final shot.

For the first time since March 2020, New Jerseyans can enjoy larger outdoor gatherings, sports events, and even a drink sitting at a bar.

Among the changes taking place Wednesday:

• Indoor dining – Currently, indoor dining is limited to 50 percent capacity. Wednesday will remove the 50 percent rule, but maintain the six feet of required distance between tables, except that tables can be closer than six feet where restaurants use partitions that comply with Department of Health requirements. Additionally, the prohibition on more than eight people at a table will be lifted, so large groups can sit together again.
• Retail businesses, which are currently at 50 percent indoor capacity, can be at full capacity
• Gyms, which are currently at 50 percent indoor capacity, can be at full capacity

Gov. Phil Murphy cited increased statewide vaccination efforts and public health metrics as reasons to begin lifting restrictions. However, daily death rates and hospitalizations have still not come near the low numbers in late summer after months of lockdowns, when only two New Jersey residents passed away from COVID in one day.

Murphy was expected to address the changes, and make an announcement about vaccines, in a press conference Wednesday afternoon. WATCH LIVE: Gov. Murphy's NJ COVID, Reopening And Vaccine Update

Read more about the changes here, and watch Patch for updates: READ MORE: Big NJ Reopening Day: What You Can (And Can't) Do Now Amid COVID

With additional reporting by Anthony Bellano and Nicole Rosenthal.

Don't miss breaking news alerts for Hoboken when they are announced, or get a free daily newsletter each morning with local news. Sign up with your preferences here.

Got news? Email caren.lissner@patch.com. Got photos? Please include express written permission from the photographer for us to use them. To be the first to get free news alerts with breaking stories in your town, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.