NJ COVID: New outdoor gathering limit goes into effect Monday
New Jersey COVID-19 live updates, news and information
TRENTON, New Jersey (WPVI) -- A new outdoor gathering limit goes into effect in New Jersey on Monday starting at 6 a.m.
The gathering limit drops from 150 people to 25 people.
"As we battle the second wave of COVID-19, we must continue to take all steps necessary to prevent needless infections, hospitalizations, and deaths from this deadly virus," said Governor Murphy. "While there is hope on the horizon in the form of several vaccines, in the interim, we are taking these steps today to protect our communities. It is our intention for indoor sports to resume in the new year, but this can only happen if our state remains committed to the fight against COVID-19."
Wedding ceremonies, funerals, memorial services, and religious and political activities are not subject to the outdoor gatherings limit. All other types of gatherings, such as a high school football game or an outdoor concert, will be limited to 25 individuals.
Athletes, coaches, referees and other individuals necessary for a professional or collegiate sports competition are not counted towards the 25-person limit.
On Saturday, Murphy paused indoor practices and competitions for youth and adult sports.
Murphy has tightened restrictions on indoor gatherings recently in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Indoor dining is restricted to 25% of a restaurant's capacity, and no indoor dining is allowed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people, with exceptions for events such as religious ceremonies.
Travelers from out of state are urged to quarantine for 14 days, but Murphy has said the state is relying on the honor system for compliance.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association said in a statement that the indoor youth sports order would affect only the start of high school ice hockey.
"We're hopeful that, with schedule modifications, the ice hockey season will be viable when the state's pause is lifted," the association said in an emailed statement.
Action News spoke with 7th grader Peter Black who said the new restrictions are incredibly untimely as the temperatures continue to drop.
"Over the summer it was really hot so we couldn't train for that long, and it's getting really windy and cold out so you can't really do it now," said Black of Haddon Township.
New Jersey, like much of the country, has seen spiking cases and hospitalizations.
Nearly 15,000 new cases of the virus were reported in the first three days of December alone.
On Sunday, New Jersey reported 6,046 new cases for a statewide total of 368,016. There were 16 new deaths for a statewide total of 15,485.
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That will remain in effect until January 11.
The decision was made after 41 new cases in Washington Township were reported Sunday alone.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
