NJ: Outdoor Gatherings Drop To 25 As COVID Metrics 'Way Too High'

NEW JERSEY – The maximum number of people who can gather outside in New Jersey dropped from 150 to 25 on Monday as Gov. Phil Murphy warned on Monday that the several of the state's key metrics have gotten "way too high."

Murphy, speaking on various news programs on Monday, said he's not planning on a "California lockdown" that would involve imposing major shutdowns across vast regions – or even statewide.

But he does believe the outdoor gathering restrictions will help curb transmission of the illness as the second wave hits New Jersey (see rules and exceptions for outdoor gatherings below).

Ironically, Murphy said, the majority of the transmission is happening indoors, and indoor gatherings are capped at 10. But the governor sees little wiggle room there and he's hesitant to impose further restrictions on indoors businesses, noting that many are still suffering.

"We're still in the thick of it," Murphy told CNN's New Day. "We all should be concerned. Ours (transmission and positivity rate) is way too high for our tastes."

Murphy said he's particularly concerned about New Jersey's positivity rate now that it's risen above 11 percent, which is about 10 times where it was in August and "way higher than we want it to be."

Hospitalizations are also over 3,200, a number that is also about 10 times higher than it was in August, Murphy told 1010 WINS and CNN. The metric is also at its highest point since May.

Murphy said the number is also way lower than it was in the spring, when there were more than 8,000 hospitalizations. But Murphy said hospitalizations are a "lagging" indicator and could escalate in a week or two.

Murphy, who will speak to the public at 1 p.m. on. Monday, also announced on Sunday that New Jersey had 6,046 additional coronavirus cases – the highest daily case total in the state's history – and 16 more deaths. Read more: NJ Tops 6K New Cases For 1st Time, Clarifies Entertainment Rules

The 25-person outdoor limit, which started at 6 a.m. on Monday, initially applied to outdoor concerts, high school football games, or other outdoor gatherings.

But many possible entertainment venues – such as bars and restaurants – 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.

All indoor high school sports and youth sports will be suspended until at least Jan. 2. This means no high school or youth basketball, indoor ice hockey, wrestling, swimming or any other indoor sports.

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