As New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s Restart and Recovery plan continues to be carefully rolled out in stages, local Bergen County residents and business owners are anxious for local retail businesses to open their doors or to at least offer more shopping options than we’ve had since the COVID-19 lockdown started. At this time, non-essential New Jersey retail businesses are only authorized to let customers pick up merchandise curb-side, but may not allow shoppers in stores. So when will non-essential NJ retail reopen?
As a component of “The Road Back: Restoring Economic Health Through Public Health,” Governor Murphy announced on June 1, 2020 that NJ will enter Stage Two of the Restart and Recovery plan on June 15th.
When Will Non-Essential NJ Retail Reopen?
Guided by strict protocols from the New Jersey Department of Health, as well as input from the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission and complementary Advisory Councils, Stage Two will include the opening of non-essential retail as of June 15th.
As NJ Retail Businesses Reopen, Safety Remains #1 Priority
“As we move through Stage One of our strategic restart and recovery process, public health data continues to demonstrate our collective success in flattening the curve of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations,” said Governor Murphy. “It is with these favorable metrics, coupled with expanded testing capacity and contact tracing, that we can responsibly enter Stage Two of our multi-stage approach to recovery. Our economic restart must instill confidence among our residents and visitors that their safety, and that of their families, is our number one priority. I encourage all New Jerseyans to continue their vigilance in keeping themselves and their communities safe by social distancing, wearing face coverings, washing hands frequently, and limiting gatherings.”
When Will Outdoor Dining Reopen? Barber Shops and Salons? What About Gyms and Health Clubs?
NJ outdoor dining is also permitted as of June 15th. Read more about outdoor dining reopening here.
Beginning June 22nd, barber shops and salons will be able to reopen. In the period to follow, New Jersey will work toward the gradual opening of personal care, gyms, and health clubs, at reduced capacities as the stage progresses.
All of these activities will be allowed pursuant to strict health and safety guidelines that will be issued in the coming days. New Jersey ended maximum restrictions and moved to Stage One on May 18, 2020.
Summary of NJ Restart and Recovery Stage 2
- Restrictions are relaxed on activities that can be easily safeguarded.
- Phased-in NJ businesses and activities, with adherence to safeguarding and modification guidelines, include:
- Outdoor dining (beginning on June 15th)
- Limited in-person retail (beginning on June 15th)
- Hair salons and barber shops (beginning on June 22nd)
- Youth summer programs (beginning on July 6th)
- In-person clinical research/labs
- Limited fitness/gyms
- Limited in-person government services (e.g. – Motor Vehicle Commission)
- Museums/libraries
- All workers who can work from home should continue to work from home.
COVID-19 Safety Precautions that Apply Across All Restart and Recovery Stages
- Clinically high-risk individuals who can stay at home should continue to do so.
- All residents and businesses should follow state and federal safeguarding guidelines:
- Wash hands
- Wear masks in public
- Respect social distancing
- Minimize gatherings
- Disinfect workplace and businesses
- Minimize gatherings
- No mass gatherings
New Jersey will move toward subsequent stages based on data that demonstrates improvements in public health and the capacity to safeguard the public, including:
- Sustained improvements in public health indicators, including new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, individuals in intensive care, and ventilator use;
- Substantial increase in testing and contact tracing capacity;
- Sufficient resilience in New Jersey’s health care system to include adequate bed capacity, ventilators, personal protective equipment, and workforce;
- Widespread safeguarding of workplaces;
- Widespread safeguarding and capacity of child care, schools, and mass transit;
- Continued public compliance.
If public health indicators, safeguarding, or compliance worsen on a sustained basis, New Jersey will be prepared to move back to more restrictive stages.
Summary of Governor Murphy’s “Road Back” Multi-Stage Approach to Restart NJ’s Economy
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