Gov. Murphy Clarifies Rules For NJ Indoor Dining, Bars, Barbers

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday clarified his plans to impose restrictions on indoor dining, operating hours for restaurants and bars and indoor sports. He also clarified coronavirus restrictions on personal-care businesses, such as hair salons, tattoo parlors and barbers.

The clarifications came as New Jersey on Tuesday announced its highest daily case total since April – 3,877 – and the state's highest death toll since July: 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ COVID-19 Numbers Going 'In Wrong Direction'

“As cases of COVID-19 increase across the country and in our state, we must take all measures necessary to stop the spread,” said Murphy. “In the interest of public health, we are requiring modifications in operations for businesses that serve food and drinks, and temporarily prohibiting interstate games and tournaments for indoor K-12 sports. We must come together as a state to once again beat back this deadly virus and to save lives.”

These regulations go into effect Thursday at 5 a.m.

Murphy reopened personal care businesses months ago, but he clarified their rules for operating.

Hair salons, tattoo parlors and barber shops can continue to operate indoors, but they will be required to limit occupancy to 25 percent of the state's maximum capacity, excluding employees.

New regulations for restaurants, bars, clubs, lounges and casinos include:

• Businesses that serve food or drinks will not be able to operate their indoor premises between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• Outdoor dining can continue after 10 p.m., as can takeout and delivery services.
• Casinos will not be able to serve food or drinks between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., except for room service delivered to guest rooms and takeout.
• Seating at the physical bar in the indoor areas of bars and restaurants will be prohibited during all operating hours.

Taking into account the impact this could have on restaurants with small seating areas, Murphy said these new restrictions allow groups to be seated at tables indoors that are closer than six feet together, but they must be separated by a barrier.

Additionally, restaurants can set up plastic domes outdoors, limited to one group inside each at a time.

As for interstate indoor sports, well, for the most part they're canceled.

State guidance says all games and tournaments, up to and including the high school level are prohibited, but college and professional sports will not be affected.