Manchester Businesses Prepare For More Coronavirus Reopenings

MANCHESTER, NJ — As the reopening process moves forward in New Jersey, the changes are allowing more and more options for dining out, shopping and entertainment.

Among those options: Ocean County Mall. Simon, the company that owns Ocean County Mall, announced its hours on the mall's website over the weekend.

Malls are among the reopenings happening this week as the state continues to reduce restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic that have been limited or shuttered by Gov. Phil Murphy's public health emergency orders that started in March.

There have been more than 171,000 New Jersey residents who have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 since early March, when the first case was detected. There have been 13,121 confirmed deaths from the virus during that time, according to the state Department of Health.

The mall's website has been updated from the "closed" statement it had in place to saying mall hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The food court and seating will be closed, and stores will be limited to 50 percent capacity under Murphy's orders.

Simon posted an explanation of its plans for protecting customers and employees as the mall reopens on its website.

Around Manchester, stores in strip malls will continue to be limited to 50 percent capacity but open for shopping.

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In addition, another burst of reopenings is set for Thursday. Restaurants and bars will be allowed to resume indoor seating at 25 percent of capacity, a move that will supplement the outdoor dining they've been leaning on for the past few weeks.

Read more: Gov. Murphy: 'Hard Dates' In NJ Coronavirus Reopening Blueprint

If shopping isn't enough, pick your date and go to the amusement park or the water park. Both Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach will be open beginning Thursday. Also open will be Six Flags Great Adventure. Hurricane Harbor is in process, Six Flags officials said.

Looking for something educational or entertaining? Museums, aquariums, bowling alleys, arcades and libraries also reopen Thursday. All are limited to 25 percent of their capacity.

Among the Manchester and Lakehurst restaurants offering outdoor dining are:

• Charlies Pizza
• Heritage Family Restaurant
• Donovan's Bar & Grill
• Sandy's Cozy Corner

The Lakehurst Diner announced it will resume service with the indoor dining allowance that begins Thursday. The indoor dining is limited to 25 percent of capacity.

See more stories about New Jersey's coronavirus recovery.

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