NJ Tops 6K New Cases For 1st Time, Clarifies Entertainment Rules

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy clarified New Jersey entertainment rules this weekend as the Garden State hit another bleak milestone in the nine-month-long coronavirus crisis.

New Jersey's new daily cases topped 6,000 for the first time ever on Sunday, hitting a record high of 6,046. Murphy announced that another 15 new confirmed deaths were reported, the lowest daily death toll in a week (see county-by-county new cases below).

"These numbers speak for themselves," Murphy said on Sunday. "Mask up. Social distance. Wash your hands. Avoid gatherings."

New Jersey's number of cases has now risen to 368,016, and 15,485 confirmed deaths have been reported. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

The announcement comes as Murphy and Col. Patrick Callahan, the superintendent of the State Police, issued an order clarifying what indoor entertainment centers can and can't do.

Murphy said a movie theater, performing arts center and other concert venues may host a performance in an adjacent outdoor area with a maximum capacity equivalent to the facility’s indoor capacity.

That means these venues can hold outdoor performances with a maximum of 150 people in attendance. All other outdoor gatherings – with a few exceptions – must be capped at 25 people. Read more: You Can Get Married: NJ Clarifies Sports, Gathering Restrictions

The 25-person limit initially applied to outdoor concerts, high school football games, or other outdoor gatherings.

But many possible entertainment venues – such as bars and restaurants – have complained that the restrictions have put them on the brink of bankruptcy, and they've pleaded for financial assistance from the federal and state governments.

These gatherings continue to be subject to strict social distancing restrictions, including the requirement to wear masks whenever it is not possible to social distance.

The following are also not subject to the outdoor 25-person limit:

• Outdoor wedding ceremonies
• Funerals
• Memorial services
• Religious and political activities
• Athletes, coaches, referees and other individuals necessary for a professional or collegiate sports competition
• For other adult and youth sports occurring outdoors, the number of people necessary for a game or practice can exceed the 25-person limit.
• Collegiate and professional sporting activities.
• Private fitness classes and lessons
• Trainings at gyms, studios, and similar locations

The governor also recently made a change about indoor meetings of addiction groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. He said they are not limited to 10 people indoors, but will instead be limited to 25 percent of the capacity of the room in which they take place, up to a maximum of 150 individuals.

Murphy said he hasn't taken new restrictions off the table, but he's placing a lot of hope on the belief that thousands of New Jerseyans will begin getting vaccinated by Dec. 15. Read more: NJ Streamlines Vaccine Distribution, Provides New Timing Details

At the same time, the governor did warn that New Jersey's coronavirus crisis will likely get worse before it gets better.

Last month, Murphy said New Jersey's new coronavirus cases could rise to 8,000 to 10,000 a day — nearly doubling the Garden State's highest totals ever — if people don't take personal responsibility to fight the disease. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ COVID Cases Could Hit 10K A Day, Reach Daily High

Even as vaccines arrive, Murphy said, New Jersey still needs to commit to wearing masks, social distancing and "keeping vigilant."

"We just have to hang on together, everybody, a little bit longer and that's because this virus is still moving throughout our state and residents are still falling ill," Murphy said during his Friday news conference.

Murphy reported on Friday that 3,315 are hospitalized in New Jersey – well below the peak of 8,300 in spring – but 615 are in the intensive case unit, the highest in "many months." The positivity rate is also at a too-high number of 10.42.

Here are the counties and their new positive cases reported on Sunday:

1. Bergen 552
2. Hudson 533
3. Essex 520
4. Camden 511
5. Passaic 465
6. Middlesex 463
7. Monmouth 458
8. Ocean 403
9. Union 381
10. Burlington 313
11. Morris 300
12. Gloucester 248
13. Mercer 210
14. Atlantic 155
15. Cumberland 107
16. Somerset 101
17. Sussex 81
18. Hunterdon 56
19. Warren 49
20. Salem 38
21. Cape May 24

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