Gov. Phil Murphy has signed some new executive orders in order to flatten the curve, including guidelines and restrictions for essential businesses that are still open.

 

Gov. Murphy says the new guidelines are aimed at controlling overcrowding in essential retail stores, particularly grocery stores.

Under the executive order, all essential retail businesses must indefinitely limit the number of customers allowed in their stores to no more than 50% of the approved capacity.

 

Customers and employees must now wear face coverings while inside. Stores must provide special shopping hours for high-risk individuals. Physical barriers must be put up between customers and cashiers and baggers, and areas used by employees must be sanitized regularly.

The governor says he wants to be clear about one thing, the moves are not because stores are running out of food or supplies.

"Our supply chain is feeling the stress, but it is holding strong,” says Gov. Murphy. “We are taking this step to protect both customers and essential workers, ensuring social distancing may require you to change the times in which you go to the store, but that's a small price to pay to ensure the health of your community."

Some stores have already started to put their own rules into place. Acme says they'll only fill 20% store capacity, which will go into effect today at all of its 164 stores. Stop & Shop, in addition to customer limits, will have one-way aisles. Arrows will show customers which way to go for stores in New Jersey, New York and other states in the northeast.