NJ restaurants, gyms, salons can expand indoor capacity Friday | What you should know

TRENTON, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Businesses in New Jersey including restaurants, gyms, casinos, and salons can increase their indoor capacity to 35% starting at 8 a.m. Friday.

This is up from the previous 25% limit.

SEE ALSO: New Jersey businesses prepare ahead of Friday's indoor capacity expansion

At 8:00 a.m. Friday, gyms, salons, casinos and restaurants in New Jersey may increase their indoor capacity from 25% to 35%.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said the statewide 10 p.m. restaurant indoor service limit will be lifted, however local restrictions may remain in place.

The prohibition on seating at indoor bars will remain in effect, Murphy said, as it creates the danger of close and prolonged proximity between patrons, bartenders, and servers.

Performance venues can also go up to 35%, but with a limit of 150 people.

Murphy announced the easing of COVID-19 restrictions during a press briefing on Wednesday where he said recent trends in hospitalizations and transmission rates are promising.

Beginning February 5, indoor dining capacity at restaurants will be capped at 35%, upped from the previous 25%.

The loosening of restrictions comes as more vaccines are administered throughout New Jersey.

The Camden County vaccination clinic reached 10,000 shots given Thursday morning.

The milestone shot went to Mike McGee, 72, who has already battled COVID-19.

"It's a choice, you either get the vaccine or get the virus. And the virus is no fun," said McGee.

SEE ALSO: Gov. Murphy says NJ restaurants, gyms, casinos can increase indoor capacity to 35% starting Friday

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced that restaurants and some other businesses can expand their indoor capacity limits beginning Friday.