NJ Indoor Dining May Soon Hit 50 Percent Amid COVID: Gov. Murphy

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy said the expansion of indoor dining will be coming "sooner than later" amid the COVID crisis. And when it comes, it will likely be 50 percent.

But Murphy also said the state will have to overcome some obstacles to get there.

Murphy was asked during his Wednesday news conference whether he'll soon consider expanding indoor dining since many restaurants continue to worry about their immediate survival.

"My guess is the next move probably is from 35 percent to 50 percent. That would be my guess. I don't know when, but if the numbers keep getting better, it'll be sooner than later," he said.

Murphy may address the matter during his 10 a.m. news conference on Thursday. Read more: WATCH LIVE: Gov. Murphy To Release NJ School State Aid Figures

The big obstacle, he said, is that several faster-spreading variants of the coronavirus present a threat, and at least one has been identified in New Jersey. Read more: Gov. Murphy Says COVID Variant Slowing NJ's Reopening: Here's How

If not for the variants, Murphy said expanding indoor dining "would be even sooner and maybe even more significant."

"But we're keeping a weather eye because of the much higher transmittable realities or aspects of these variants," Murphy said.

Murphy said he's been hesitant about reopening too soon, noting that other states have taken that approach and soon later, because of the threat of the variants, had to reverse course.

"The last thing we want to do is lurch forward and pull ourselves back," he said. "So on the margin, we want to certainly open things up, but we want to do it carefully and responsibly."

Murphy also expressed hopes that expanding immunizations – including a one-shot vaccine from Johnson & Johnson – could be a potential "game-changer" for the state.

Murphy said he expects the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be approved within first week or two of March.

"They've already indicated that they've got some amount of supply ready to go," he said. "That's a great place where you could envision the J&J vaccine making a difference."

Murphy also said there is mounting evidence that the vaccines are good against the variants.

"In addition to the fact our numbers continue to go in the right direction, there's no question we're going to open up," he said. "Just a question of when and how much.

"And again, the last thing I want to do – I think I speak for all of us – is to lurch open and then have to pull back, which is hell to pay on the businesses, on the customers and everybody associated with it," he said.