New Jersey To Reopen Indoor Dining, Movie Theaters With Restrictions, Capacity Limits, Face Masks

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday announced that movie theaters and indoor performance venues can reopen their doors with restrictions starting Friday.

The restrictions required include face masks, social distancing, and a capacity limit of 150 people or 25%, whichever is less. The capacity limits were explained by Murphy on Twitter as “if you have four screens, each screen will be held to the lesser capacity of 25% capacity or 150 people.”

☑ ️Each showing, and each theater in a multi-plex, will be subject to capacity limits
☑ ️If you have four screens, each screen will be held to the lesser of 25% capacity or 150 people
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 31, 2020

New Jersey has over 191,900 positive cases of the coronavirus and over 15,900 COVID-19 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Over the last three days, New Jersey has had over 1,000 new positive coronavirus cases, New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persicheilli said Monday at a news briefing. She noted that the state’s positivity rate is currently 1.41%.

Murphy also announced Monday that indoor dining would reopen on Friday at 6 a.m. with restrictions. Restrictions include groups of eight, with social distancing observed, capacity in restaurants will be limited to 25%, and employees and customers are required to wear masks.

Murphy said that masks may be removed when seated and eating. He said, standing and drinking without a face mask will not be tolerated.

Murphy also emphasized ventilation in restaurants, saying that windows must be opened or air conditioners set to their maximum airflow capacity to circulate outdoor air.

During the briefing, Murphy was asked if would reinstate indoor dining restrictions if coronavirus cases increased. He responded that he would with supporting data.

He said: "I certainly hope not to, and it would be a sustained increase. It wouldn't be (due to) one day or even a couple of days (of increased infections)."

Murphy continued that there needed to be "some qualitative sense around the data as to whether or not it was coming from the indoor dining steps that we've taken as opposed to some out of control party in somebody's basement."