Gov. Murphy Announces Improvements to COVID Restrictions in New Jersey

As New Jersey's COVID-19 numbers continue to improve, Gov. Murphy has announced changes to some of the limitations that have been imposed due to the virus.

At a news conference Monday afternoon, Murphy announced the following changes as of Monday, May 10th:

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• Outdoor carnivals and fairs can operate at 50% capacity.
• Indoor events, such as weddings, funerals, political events, and proms can operate at 50% capacity, up to a maximum of 250 people.
• Dancing at proms, which Murphy noted are controlled environments, will be permitted as long as social distancing remains in place. Dancing at bars and night clubs, which are less controlled, is still prohibited.
• The general outdoor gathering limit will increase to 500 people.
• Outdoor capacity at large venues, which is now defined as having over 1,000 seats, can operate at 50% capacity with social distancing.

Murphy specifically discussed graduations -- he noted, for example, if a school has a football stadium that can hold 1,000 people, then 1,000 people could attend a graduation if 500 people (50% capacity) were in the stands and 500 were seated on the field (the maximum number allowed at an outdoor gathering), all with social distancing in place.

The governor was quick to point out that he hopes to be able to ease restrictions again before Memorial Day as long as the current downward trend of the state's COVID-19 metrics continue to fall.

According to Murphy, as of Monday, 6.7 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered with 2.81 million residents of the Garden State now fully vaccinated. The governor says the state is 60 percent of its way to the goal of having 4.7 million people in New Jersey fully vaccinated in the coming weeks.