Are you ready to resume life???? we are! This coronavirus has taken our State and the entire nation to its limits and finally it seems like some relief is on the way. Prayers still go out to those who have lost and/or have health issues they are battling. I hope the world can practice safety as a foundation and let us all find ourselves back to normal (whatever that may be)
Here is an outline of the phases NJ will go through in order to completely move forward from Covid-19.
On May 18, Governor Phil Murphy unveiled a multi-stage approach to execute the responsible and strategic economic restart to put New Jersey on the road back to recovery from COVID-19. New Jersey's process for lifting restrictions is guided by six principles and key metrics.
New Jersey will enter new stages based on data that demonstrates improvements in public health and the capacity to safeguard the public. The restart will be phased-in within each stage, rather than opening all businesses and activities at once within a stage.
New Jersey is currently in Stage 1 and is on track to enter Stage 2 on Monday, June 15.
Multi-Stage Approach to Execute a Responsible and Strategic Economic Restart
Under maximum restrictions, New Jerseyans stayed at home as much possible and activity was limited to essential tasks.
Permitted activities and businesses included emergency health care, essential construction, manufacturing, and essential retail, including grocery stores and pharmacies.
Stage One
In Stage One, restrictions are relaxed on low-risk activities.
- May 2: State Parks and Forests reopen for passive recreation.
- May 2: Golf courses reopen.
- May 17: Charter fishing and watercraft rental businesses reopen.
- May 18: Non-essential construction resumes.
- May 18: Non-essential retail reopens for curbside pickup.
- May 20: In-person sales at car and motorcycle dealerships and at bicycle shops resumes.
- May 22: Public and private beaches, boardwalks, lakes, and lakeshores reopen.
- May 22: Campgrounds reopen.
- May 22: Some outdoor recreational businesses, including batting cages and golf ranges, shooting and archery ranges, horseback riding, private tennis clubs, and community gardens, restart their operations.
- May 22: The limit on outdoor gatherings, including the capacity limit for some outdoor recreational businesses, increases from 10 to 25 individuals.
- May 22: Professional sports teams can practice and engage in games or matches, if their leagues resume competition.
- May 26: Elective surgeries and invasive procedures, both medical and dental, resume.
- June 1: Horse racetracks reopen, with no spectators allowed.
- June 9: Stay-at-home order lifted and limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings increased.
- June 9: Outdoor recreational and entertainment businesses reopen, with the exception of amusement parks, water parks, and arcades.
Stage Two (New Jersey is on track to enter Stage Two on June 15)
In Stage Two, moderate-risk activities restart. When leaving home, New Jerseyans should wear a face covering and keep a social distance from others. All workers who can work from home should continue to work from home.
- June 15: Child care centers reopen their doors to all clients.
- June 15: Outdoor dining reopens.
- June 15: Non-essential retail stores reopen for indoor shopping.
- June 15: Motor Vehicle Commission agencies reopen for pick-up and drop-off services.
- June 22: Organized sports activities resume.
- June 22: Barbershops and hair salons reopen.
- June 22: Swimming pools reopen.
- June 22: Limit on outdoor gatherings increases to 250 people (anticipated).
- June 29: Motor Vehicle Commission agencies begin to offer behind-the-wheel road tests and resume issuing new licenses and permits.
- July 3: Limit on outdoor gatherings increases to 500 people (anticipated).
- July 6: Youth day camps and summer programs can operate.
- July 6: Modified outdoor graduation ceremonies begin.
In Stage Two, additional phased-in businesses and activities, with adherence to safeguarding and modification guidelines, will include:
- In-person clinical research/labs
- Limited fitness/gyms
- Limited in-person government services
- Museums/libraries
Stage Three:
In Stage Three, higher-contact activities restart with significant safeguarding. New Jerseyans follow all safety guidelines and respect social distancing.
Phased-in businesses and activities, with adherence to safeguarding and modification guidelines, may include:
- Expanded dining,
- Critical in-office work,
- Limited entertainment,
- Expanded personal care,
- Bars with limited capacity.
Precautions that apply across all stages include:
- Work that can be done from home should continue to be done from home.
- Clinically high-risk individuals who can stay at home should continue to do so.
- All residents and businesses should follow state and federal safeguarding guidelines: wash hands; wear masks in public; respect social distancing; minimize gatherings; disinfect workplace and businesses; and no mass gatherings
