Gov. Murphy Nixes NJ Regional Reopen, Gym, Indoor Dining Restart

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy has once again rejected growing calls from the business industry and lawmakers to reopen on a regional basis, and he's pushing back against demands to reopen gyms and indoor dining.

Murphy is also nixing demands that New Jersey reopen businesses in the same way he's reopening schools, telling MSNBC on Thursday that education is not practiced in a "one-size-fits all" statewide fashion and "not every family is configured or looks the same and has the same degree of freedom as others."

Murphy appeared to be responding to a joint letter from the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, which said: “It appears that deferring to industry experts and local officials for COVID-19 reopening decisions is the proper process, except when it comes to the reopening of our businesses."

“The New Jersey Business Coalition has repeatedly called for a regional approach to the reopening of New Jersey’s economy. In doing so, the coalition noted the DOH’s current reporting of COVID-19 cases on a county-by-county basis," the statement read. "It recommended that a grid of ‘safe’ vs. ‘cautious’ counties can easily be developed."

The New Jersey Business & Industry Association and the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce was also scheduled to put forward its own reopening plan during an Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee meeting on Thursday.

The New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association also put out a statement saying the organization repeatedly asked for a meeting with Murphy to discuss reopening indoor dining and was rejected.

Marilou Crane Halvorsen, who heads the trade group, noted that Murphy, during his Wednesday news conference, "called me out by saying 'I only texted him today requesting a meeting.' "

"The protocol to request meetings is through his office, which I did 10 times since the beginning of June. I was told 'no' in mid-July," she said on Wednesday. "I received his cell phone number last night and, out of desperation for my industry, I contacted him directly.

"I make no apologies for advocating for restaurants and small businesses in New Jersey," she said. "I hope he honors what he said about meeting with us."

Murphy, meanwhile, backed up his statewide approach to his decisions by pointing to a map used by the state Department of Health that shows how some counties are currently better off than others in dealing with the coronavirus.

Murphy, who lives in Monmouth County, said a regional approach wouldn't work if indoor dining was reopened in Bergen County – where coronavirus activity is now low - and not in his home county.

"I could drive up to Bergen County and have dinner," Murphy said during his Wednesday news conference.

That's not the case with schools, he said, where "you've got to go to the school where you're enrolled and, in an overwhelming number of cases, where you live."

"The decision on indoor activities has to be taken on a statewide basis," Murphy said. "You don't have that luxury on schools."

In their letter, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce say they "strongly maintain that there is no reason why the same approach embraced by the DOH for informing local educational decisions can’t be used for ending the extenuated pause on our businesses."

“In reopening our schools, the governor noted that only those schools which can certify that they can meet the state guidelines can open," the letter said. "This is exactly the protocol that the business coalition has advanced for the reopening of our businesses as well - putting public health first."

Read more: NJ: 139 School Districts Want All-Remote Start Amid Coronavirus

The letter goes on to say that it's "disheartening" that the governor fails to acknowledge that the reopening is "more critically about the return of livelihoods for thousands of our business owners."

"It is about saving their personal investments borne of years of sweat equity, the hundreds of thousands of jobs they provide and all they bring to the state’s economy," the letter said. "It’s about predictability and being able to plan – the hallmarks of any business endeavor. And it’s also about the mental health of those struggling to survive, and those who are shut in."

Murphy, during his Wednesday news conference, did indicate that he's closer to reopening gyms than indoor dining.

Murphy said he would guess that both types of businesses would not be able to open at the same time because masks can be worn continuously at gyms, but not in restaurants.

"That's not to say we're not going to get to both. I hope sooner than later," he said.

But he said that he's still not ready to reopen both, citing lack of ventilation and air circulation as key issues.

His statements came after NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo said bowling alleys in his state will open, and gyms also will soon receive guidance from the state on reopening. New Jersey typically follows what New York does, but not in this case. Read more: New York Bowling Alleys Can Reopen; Gym Guidance Coming Soon

Sen. Steve Oroho, R-Sussex, has called on Murphy to reopen gyms, saying "regular exercise is a powerful tool that can improve your physical strength, mental health, immune system, and overall well-being.”

“With heightened isolation and reduced physical activity being an adverse effect of the COVID shutdown, the importance of re-engaging in physical fitness cannot be understated," he said. "Allowing gyms to open while ensuring social distancing, sanitation measures, and safety parameters are in place will keep both patrons and employees healthy, safe, and well.”

Murphy said reopening gyms will involve two important aspects: Reducing capacity and "heavy" use of face coverings.

"Indoor dining is harder," he said.

Last week, Murphy offered some idea as to why he reversed course on reopening indoor dining in early July, while trying to offer some hope that he'll change course once again.

Murphy cited a study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases that looked at a restaurant in southern China in January, when the coronavirus was plaguing that country.

The study shows how one infected diner at a middle table passed coronavirus to nine others seated nearby – including some who were seated 14 feet away.

They were infected not because they were failing to social distance, nor because they weren't wearing masks. They were merely seated in a straight line from an air conditioner, Murphy said.

The finding shows that preventing outbreaks caused by indoor dining will be a lot more complicated than originally thought, Murphy said. And every restaurant may need to follow their own sets of requirements to stay safe.

"I think any of us can name any number of restaurants we go to which have a seating arrangement and an air conditioner not unlike this restaurant half-way around the globe," Murphy said.

Here is animation from the study that shows people getting infected, and how it happened:

Murphy said airflow is a constant concern, and it's why he hasn't pilled the trigger to bring indoor dining back into the fold just yet.

"Allowing diners to sit maskless for an extended period of time in a restaurant where the air conditioning unit is silently spreading coronavirus is a risk we cannot take," he said.