NJ To End Most Capacity Restrictions May 19

NEW JERSEY - The Garden State will be removing capacity limits May 19, moving in lockstep with its closest neighbors, according to Governor Phil Murphy.

Speaking at his Monday COVID-19 briefing Murphy noted that most capacity restrictions for retail, food services, gyms, offices, barber shops and more will lift in a coordinated effort between New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

"The steps announced today are the most aggressive steps we have taken to reopen to date," Murphy said. "We feel confident we can do this safely because our numbers have trended decisively in the right direction over the last three weeks."

For one, while capacity limits will lift in most places in the city and state, Murphy said they must observe a 6-foot social distancing recommendation set by the CDC. He said it applies to all places with capacity limits, like restaurants.

Murphy said that while he had "no inside knowledge" he would be watching the CDC guidelines and would expect that six foot distancing requirement could change as the numbers change nationwide.

The development is the biggest move toward reopening in the 14 months of the pandemic being in the Garden State.

“With COVID-19 cases on the decline, more than 7 million vaccines administered and the good weather allowing more outdoor activities, we are able to take these steps to reopen the state,” said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “But, we can’t let our guard down now. Please get vaccinated if you haven’t already, practice physical distancing and wear a mask when in large crowds.’’

Today, Murphy will sign an executive order that makes the following changes effective Friday, May 7 (some of which were previously scheduled to take effect on Monday, May 10):

• Outdoor gatherings limit – The limit will increase to 500 persons, up from 200.
• Large venue outdoor capacity – The maximum capacity allowed will increase to 50% for venues with 1,000 fixed seats or more, as long as six feet of distance is maintained, up from 30% capacity for venues with a 2,500 fixed seating capacity.
• Increase in maximum capacity for certain indoor activities – Currently, indoor catered events are limited to 35% of the capacity of the room in which they are held, up to 150 persons. The capacity limit for those events, including proms, will be raised to 50%, up to a maximum of 250 individuals. The capacity limit for indoor political events, weddings, funerals, memorial services, and performances will also increase accordingly.
• Dance floors at private catered events – Dance floors would be permitted to open at such events, with masking and social distancing requirements in place. Dance floors would remain closed at bars and other related businesses, such as nightclubs.
• Permit carnivals and fairs to operate at the amusement business capacity – Currently, these events may be treated like a gathering, and thus subject to more restrictive limits. Carnivals and fairs may now operate at the same capacity as large outdoor amusements.
• Bar seating – The prohibition on indoor bar seating will be lifted, with final guidance on necessary safeguards, such as spacing and the use of plexiglass, to follow from the New Jersey Department of Health.
• Buffets – The restriction on self-service food, like buffets, at restaurants, would be lifted, but individuals will still be required to remain seated while eating and drinking.

Additionally, barring an unexpected uptick in COVID-19 numbers, the following changes will go into effect on May 19, largely in line with actions taking place in the neighboring states of New York and Connecticut:

• Complete removal of outdoor gathering limit – Attendees at outdoor gatherings will still be required to remain six feet apart from other groups.
• Indoor gathering limit – The general indoor gathering limit will be raised to 50 persons, up from 25 persons. The limit applies to general social gatherings, such as birthday parties and events in people’s homes. Commercial gatherings and gatherings organized and operated by an overseeing entity (e.g. conferences, expositions, meetings of fraternal organizations, job trainings, events hosted by senior centers) will be subject to the 250-person indoor gathering limit that applies to indoor catered events, as long as all attendees can remain six feet apart.
• Complete removal of all percentage capacity limits for indoor and outdoor businesses, and houses of worship – Any business, whether indoors or outdoors, that is subject to a percentage capacity limitation will instead be guided by the rule regarding six feet of distance between persons or groups of persons. This would include:
• Indoor dining – Currently, indoor dining is limited to 50% capacity. This change will remove the 50% limitation but maintain the six feet of required distance between tables, except that tables will still be permitted to be closer than six feet where restaurants use partitions that comply with DOH requirements. Additionally, the prohibition on tables of more than 8 persons will be lifted. As a reminder, outdoor dining has never been bound to a capacity percentage.
• Houses of worship and religious services, which are currently at 50% capacity. Retail businesses, which are currently at 50 percent capacity.
• Gyms, which are currently at 50 percent capacity.
• Personal care services, which are currently at 50 percent capacity.
• Indoor and outdoor amusement and recreation businesses, which are both currently limited to 50 percent capacity.
• Indoor and outdoor pools, which are both currently limited to 50 percent capacity.
• Indoor catered events, funerals, memorial services, performances, and political activities – Per today’s Executive Order, these events will be limited to 50 percent of a room’s capacity, up to 250 individuals. Beginning on Wednesday, May 19, the 250-person limit will remain in place, but there will be no percentage-based capacity restrictions. Individuals and groups will need to remain six feet apart.
• Indoor large venue capacity – The capacity limit for indoor large venues will increase from 20 percent to 30 percent and the definition of a large venue would shift from those with 2,500 fixed seats to those with 1,000 fixed seats. The requirement that individuals or groups of individuals that purchase tickets together remain six feet apart would remain in place.Murphy said these plans will take effect as long as the numbers continue to trend in the right direction.

"There is one thing we can do above all else to ensure our COVID numbers keep going down, especially as we reopen further," Murphy said. "Get Vaccinated."

This post contains reporting by Matt Troutman

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