A federal judge has denied a request by several national theater chains to issue an order allowing them to reopen in New Jersey.

AMC, Cinemark and others sued Gov. Phil Murphy seeking to invalidate his executive order keeping theaters closed due to concerns over COVID-19. They had argued that they were being treated unfairly because Murphy has allowed other large gatherings, such as religious ceremonies, to resume.

Movie theaters have been closed since mid-March. Murphy has not yet announced when they would be allowed to reopen.

The judge's order Tuesday directs both sides to file briefs by the end of July and to appear in court next month.