Indoor dining will return to Jersey City next week. Governor Phil Murphy has given New Jersey restaurants permission to allow diners indoors starting Thursday, July 2. Capacity will be limited to 25%, so it’ll be nowhere near what it used to be pre-COVID-19. However, it’s a significant step for the restaurant industry. Many restaurants have been closed or limited to take-out only service since mid-March. While many are now offering outdoor dining, that privilege was only recently granted on June 15.
BREAKING: On Thursday, July 2nd:
🎰Casinos may reopen – operating at 25% capacity
🍽️Indoor dining may resume – limited at first to 25% capacityAdditional health and safety guidance will be released within the next several days. pic.twitter.com/b4jY2fR3sp
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) June 22, 2020
More phase 2 reopenings
In addition to indoor dining, Murphy also announced that New Jersey casinos can reopen on July 2, provided they limit themselves to just 25% capacity. Beauty salons, spas, municipal/private swimming pools, and nonessential businesses have all reopened this month.
Looking ahead, Governor Murphy says that New Jersey could enter stage 3 within weeks instead of months. It’s expected that stage 3 may include the reopening of gyms, bars, entertainment, and critical in-office work.
