Indoor dining, movies get OK to resume Sept. 4 with restrictions
Restaurants statewide will be able to open for indoor dining at 25 percent capacity and with social distancing between tables and other restrictions beginning 6 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, under an executive order that Gov. Phil Murphy said he would sign today.
The governor said the executive order also will allow movie theaters and other indoor performance venues to reopen Sept. 4 with capacity capped at the lesser of 25 percent or 150 individuals. Face masks and social distancing will be required. In addition, the governor announced that capacity limits for the following indoor gatherings will be increased to the lesser of 25 percent or 150 individuals (from 100): religious services and celebrations; weddings; funerals; memorial services and political activities.
“We are able to take all these steps today because of the hard work millions of you have done to keep pushing down our positivity rate and our rate of transmission, and all the other health metrics we follow, to where we are comfortable and confident in taking them,” Gov. Murphy said. Indoor dining has been prohibited since March, which also is when movie theaters and many other types of establishments were forced to shut down due to COVID-19.
Among the additional indoor dining rules are the following:
• Tables must be spaced at least 6 feet apart.
• Seating is limited to a maximum of eight individuals per table — unless from an immediate family or the same household.
• Staff must wear face masks at all times.
• Diners must wear face masks when they are not in their seats.
• Food and beverages can only be consumed while diners are seated.
• Restaurants that provide food service at their bars may allow patrons to dine at the bar – provided that all diners are kept at proper social distances.
• Reservations will be encouraged for greater control of customer traffic.
• Buffets, salad bars and other self-service options will be prohibited.
• Establishments must follow strict ventilation requirements including: windows must be opened to ensure a proper flow of fresh air into the dining areas; air conditioner units must be turned so that they’re allowing for the maximum amount of outdoor air to be introduced to the dining area.
For more information, visit https://nj.gov/governor/ or https://www.nj.gov/health/.
CURRENT STATUS
The New Jersey Department of Health on Aug. 31 announced 352 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the cumulative total of positive cases in the state to 191,960 with 14,165 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 1,780 probable deaths. Mercer County's 7 new positive cases bring its cumulative total to 8,333, with 591 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 36 probable deaths. To view Mercer County data by municipality, please visit the Mercer County COVID-19 Dashboard at https://arcg.is/1y1eHO. Please note that municipal data lags behind the state data and will update as information becomes available. Visit the New Jersey Department of Health's COVID-19 Dashboard for more statewide information.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Aug. 31 announced that the cumulative total of positive cases of COVID-19 in the United States is 5,972,356 with 182,622 deaths, with 55 locations (50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, North Mariana Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands) reporting cases. For more information, visit cdc.gov.
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HAVE GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19?
The NJ Poison Control Center and 211 have partnered with the State to provide information to the public on COVID-19:
Call: 2-1-1
Call (24/7): 1-800-962-1253
Text: NJCOVID to 898-211
Visit https://covid19.nj.gov/ or nj.gov/health for additional information
COPING WITH STRESS
If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or depressed due to COVID-19, please call New Jersey's MentalHealthCares Helpline at 866-202-HELP (4357) or visit njmentalhealthcares.org for emotional support, guidance, and mental health referrals as needed. You also may call the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (TTY 1-800-846-8517). Listing of additional resources.
PREVENTION
To ensure the lowest chance of obtaining the virus, and spreading the virus to others:
• Practice social distancing.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when you’re in a public setting. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
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SYMPTOMS
Symptoms can appear between 2-14 days after exposure, though some people may not have any symptoms while still being contagious. It's also important to consider whether you've been in contact with an infected person, as well as any symptoms you may be experiencing. In addition to fever, cough and shortness of breath, symptoms can include chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you believe you've been infected and you are not in immediate danger, you should contact your doctor by phone. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911, and notify the dispatch personnel that you may have COVID-19. COVID-19 Symptom Checker.
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BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
For information on COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus and its impact on businesses – including resources, assistance and regulations -- visit the State of New Jersey business portal and the Mercer County Office of Economic Development’s COVID-19 Business Resources page.
CENSUS 2020
It’s not too late to complete your 2020 Census form! It's safe and easy, and it’s your opportunity to bring education, health care, housing and political power to your community.
People across America are keeping their families and communities safe and healthy by staying home, or serving the public by providing essential services. Responding to the Census yourself — is another way to do your part and help keep your community strong.
If the paper form you received in the mail doesn’t work for you, you can respond online or by phone. There are so many ways to count yourself in the 2020 Census -- don’t wait! To respond online, visit https://my2020census.gov/login; to respond by phone, call 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-468-2020 (Spanish).
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