Gov. Murphy Provides Timeframe For NJ Salon, Gym, Dining Reopen

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy provided a timeframe on Thursday for restarting gyms, restaurants and hair salons and barbers. Murphy made the statements during a Thursday news conference as he announced 1,304 new coronavirus cases and 98 more deaths (you can watch the news conference here, below).

Murphy told CNBC, "I would hope it's a matter of weeks" that New Jersey can reopen gyms, hair salons, barbers and restaurants.

Murphy made the statements as a number of businesses — including two gyms and a salon — have openly defied his orders, and one was shut down Thursday.

Read more:

• South Jersey Gym That Defied Murphy's Orders Is Shut Down
• Parsippany Salon Owners Set Reopen Date Despite COVID-19 Shutdown
• Police Shut Down Bernardsville Shop On Facebook Live Video
• Hillsborough Gym Fights For Freedom, Cited For Reopening

Murphy said indoor businesses are the "toughest nuts to crack" in making sure they're safe from the coronavirus, but New Jersey's declining number of cases could open the door for more businesses to open.

"I hope with the progress we're making, it's a matter of weeks," Murphy said.

Murphy said opening these businesses would be "stage two" of New Jersey's ongoing reopening plan that he's provided over the past week. Read more: Gov. Murphy: 'Hard Dates' For NJ Coronavirus Reopening (UPDATE)

Murphy has said New Jersey will soon move to "stage two," which will allow restrictions to be relaxed on additional activities "that can be easily safeguarded."

Those businesses and activities would include:

• Expanded retail
• Safeguarded restaurants with outdoor seating
• Limited personal care
• Possible indoor dining with significantly reduced capacity
• Museums with significantly reduced capacity
• Libraries with significantly reduced capacity

The update also comes as the overall number of cases rose to 151,472 and the death toll hit 10,843 in New Jersey. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy provided several graphs that he says show how much progress the state has made in curbing the crisis, particularly in hospitalizations:

Here are graphs that show the decline in cases:

Murphy also said on Thursday that he expects to make a decision on reopening schools in the fall by June or July.

Murphy and New Jersey school officials outlined plans this week for getting kids back in schools and for daycare and summer camps to resume amid the coronavirus crisis. Read more: NJ: Here's What's Next For Schools, Daycare In Coronavirus Crisis

Murphy also has outlined what businesses and activities are destined to open next as New Jersey continues to make progress amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy: Here's What Will Reopen Next Amid NJ Coronavirus

Watch Murphy here:

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