After months at home, we’re beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel in New Jersey. Families cooped up inside can now wave hello to a little bit of freedom. Gov. Phil Murphy announced today that the Shore — and all lakes — will be open for Memorial Day weekend. 

The Order will go into effect on May 22, 2020 when the beaches and lakefronts can reopen, however there will still be social distancing requirements and guidelines in place. 

These restrictions will include:

• Capacity and admissions limitations — though Murphy said no public beaches can restrict anyone from entering before the capacity is reached. In other words, no holding space for members of a certain community;
• 6-foot demarcations in certain areas;
• No special events — meaning no concerts or other festivals;
• Playgrounds, amusement parks, rides, arcades, water fountains and picnic areas remain closed.

Every beach must limit the number of visitors allowed while maintaining six-feet social distancing. The restrictions will be enforced except for family groups, household caretakers or couples. Restaurants can continue to offer take-out and delivery options only. Masks are recommended but not required.

Murphy said: “The data we are seeing gives us confidence that we can begin the careful and responsible restart of the economy to get people back to work and begin to set the stage for the steps to come.” He added that the state’s success “flattening the curve” gives him the confidence that more restrictions will be relaxed in the coming days and weeks ahead

NONESSENTIAL CONSTRUCTION, RETAIL STORES AND CAR GATHERINGS ORDER

On May 12, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 142 which is permitting the resumption of non-essential construction, curbside pickup at non-essential retail businesses, and car gatherings for the purpose of drive-through and drive-in events. The construction and non-essential retail provisions will take effect at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18, while the car gatherings provision will take effect immediately. The Governor’s action comes approximately one month after non-essential construction was shut down on April 10 in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Non-Essential Construction:  All construction projects must abide by the social distancing, safety, and sanitization requirements that are described in detail in the Governor’s Executive Order.

Curbside Pickup at Non-Essential Retail Businesses: The Order also permits non-essential retail businesses to allow curbside pickup of goods. Businesses must continue to have their in-store operations closed to customers.  Businesses who choose to offer curbside pickup must abide by the requirements in the Order, which include but are not limited to the following:

• In-store operations should be limited to those employees who are responsible for the operations required for curbside pickup;
• Customer transactions should be handled in advance by phone, email, facsimile or other means that avoid person-to-person contact;
• Customers shall notify the retailer by text message, email, or phone once they arrive, or make best efforts to schedule their arrival time in advance.  The customer should be asked to remain in their vehicle, if arriving by car, until store staff delivers the purchase;
• Designated employees should bring goods outside of the retail establishment and place goods directly in a customer’s vehicle when possible, avoiding person-to-person contact; and
• Such businesses must follow social distancing and mitigation practices outlined in previous orders, including requiring workers to wear cloth face coverings when in contact with other workers or customers and gloves when in contact with goods or customers. 

Car Gatherings:  The Order states that car gatherings do not violate the Governor’s ban on gatherings under Executive Order No. 107.  Examples of such car gatherings include but are not limited to drive-in movies, religious services, or drive-through farms or safaris.  Car gatherings will be subject to the restrictions in the Order, which include but are not limited to the following:

• Attendees must remain in their same car throughout the gathering, unless 1) an occupant needs to get out of the vehicle for their health or safety or 2) an occupant needs to use the restroom;
• The vehicle must remain closed at all times unless 1) there is six feet of distance between other vehicles or individuals or 2) an officer, public official or guard requires the vehicle to open. There is a further exception allowing the opening of the vehicle if necessary, for health or safety;
• Individuals organizing the gathering who are not in vehicles must follow social distancing and wear cloth face coverings; and
• To the degree that a gathering requires pre-payment, or seeks donations of any kind, contactless options for pre-payment or donation, such as online or by telephone, must be offered wherever feasible.

PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY EXTENDED 

On May 6, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 138 which extended the Public Health Emergency declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103 and extended on April 7 through Executive Order No. 119. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.  

“Extending this declaration ensures that we can continue using every resource at our disposal to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Murphy. “But I want to ensure that this extension is not interpreted to mean that we are reconsidering our path forward or changing course on the principles I laid out last week in the Road Back plan. We will continue to stand by these principles and protect public health as we responsibly take steps to get the economy moving again.”