Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order Friday lifting the limit on outdoor gatherings from 10 to 25 individuals.
Public and private recreational campgrounds are allowed to reopen immediately.
This does not apply to outdoor dining. Indoor gatherings remain limited to 10 people.
Gov. Phil Murphy at his daily COVID-19 press briefing in Trenton on May 13, 2020. – RICH HUNDLEY, THE TRENTONIAN
In both outdoor gatherings and campgrounds, however, social distancing must be adhered to, Gov. Murphy said in his daily COVID-19 presser on Friday. Outdoor gathering must include clear demarcations for attendees, and the governor strongly recommended that everyone continue wearing masks.
“So if you were looking forward to gathering with your neighbors for a Memorial Day cookout, you may do so, so long as social distancing and personal responsibility remain the order of the day,” Murphy said.
“We are able to confidently make this decision today because of the hard work that each and every one of you have put in through social distancing to relieve the stress on our health care system. Because you have taken to heart all that we have asked you to do and the faith that you have put in us to safeguard public health, we can take this step together,” Murphy said.
Additionally, capacity has been lifted to 25 people for charter and fishing boats, outdoor batting cages, driving ranges, and other outdoor recreational businesses.
