Gov. Murphy: New state reopening guidelines expected next week

Gov. Phil Murphy says that details about new state reopening guidelines are expected by the middle of next week. But as states like Connecticut open further, many are calling on the governor to fully reopen New Jersey’s economy.

News 12 Staff

Apr 21, 2021, 10:52 PM

Updated 1,344 days ago

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Gov. Phil Murphy says that details about new state reopening guidelines are expected by the middle of next week. But as states like Connecticut open further, many are calling on the governor to fully reopen New Jersey’s economy.
All remaining restrictions on businesses in Connecticut will end by May 19.
“We’re essentially going to end all remaining business restrictions,” Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced. “There won’t be any requirements regarding masks outside. We strongly recommend wearing the masks inside."
Lamont’s announcements are causing some Republicans in the New Jersey Legislature to call on Murphy to ease up in restrictions.
But Murphy has pushed back, saying on Wednesday that the state’s hospitalization numbers and rate of transmission are still not low enough.
“The numbers have gotten somewhat better over the past week to 10 days. They’re still not where we need them to be, but they are showing a trend that’s beginning to build in the right director,” Murphy said.
Murphy, Lamont and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo had made early pandemic moves together. But Connecticut has been at 100% indoor dining for more than a month. And Murphy says that he has not spoken to Cuomo in some time.
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“We never said we would move in concert. We never used that phrase. We said we would consult regularly,” Murphy said.
The governor said that his administration is planning major reopening guidance if COVID-19 numbers keep improving.
“Assuming they do and our prospects remain high, we’re going to give a pretty significant amount of guidance by early to mid-next week,” Murphy said.
But it was unclear how wide-ranging the reopening will be and when it will take effect.
“We don’t want to lurch. We’re the only state in America that has not lurched. In other words, gone forward and then had to pull something back. And we don’t want to start that now,” Murphy said.
Connecticut has about 40% of the population of New Jersey. The state reported 507 COVID-19 hospitalizations on Wednesday, compared to more than 2,100 in New Jersey.