Gov. Murphy To Reopen State Parks, Golf Courses In NJ Coronavirus

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking during a Wednesday press conference, said he's reopening state parks and allowing golf courses to reopen as he announced 2,481 new cases – continuing a downward trend – and 329 more deaths. County parks have the option to reopen (you can watch it here, below).

Murphy announced on Twitter that he will sign an executive order to reopen New Jersey’s state parks and allow golf courses and county parks to reopen.

This order will take effect at sunrise on Saturday. Social distancing will continue to be mandated, he said.

Murphy said passive recreation will be allowed, so there will be restrictions:

• Parking will be capped at 50 percent of capacity
• Playgrounds, pavilions, visitor centers and restrooms will remain closed
• Picnics, organized activities and team sports will remain prohibited
• The state recommends wearing a face covering when social distancing is difficult to maintain

With the exception of the mental health importance of parks, Murphy said, the pressure – from protesters and others – on him to reopen them "did not matter one little bit."

"So with all due respect to all the pressure that's been out there, we couldn't frankly care," Murphy said. "We make his call based on data, science and fact."

Murphy said he reserves the right to reverse his reopening order if people don't behave. He said police will monitor and strictly enforce the distancing orders.

Murphy made the announcement as New Jersey's overall coronavirus case number rose to 116,264, and the death toll is now 6,770. New Jersey has 6,289 people hospitalized. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy reopened the parks as New Jersey continued to show progress in "bending the curve" of cases.

After the daily average of cases was peaking over 4,000, New Jersey's daily total has gradually lowed over the past week.

New Jersey's daily new hospitalizations have also declined.

"It is clearly to begin to head in the right direction," Murphy said. "We need to see coronavirus defeated."

Murphy also paid tribute to those who died:

This is a developing story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.

Watch Murphy live here:

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Here's what else you should know:

• Murphy offered a broad reopening plan on Monday, April 27, providing a six-point outline to "restart New Jersey and put the state on the road to recovery." Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues 6-Point NJ Reopen Plan In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order on Saturday, March 21, closing all non-essential business. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• Murphy, speaking during a Thursday, April 16 press conference, said schools will remain closed through May 15. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Schools Shut Through May 15 In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy ordered stores across New Jersey on Wednesday, April 8 to require shoppers to wear face coverings or masks. Here's how you can get yours, and how the new rule will be enforced. Read more: NJ Shoppers Must Wear Masks: Where To Get Them, How It's Enforced
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• Murphy said during a live press conference on Wednesday, March 25 that he's ordering many day care centers to shut amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: Gov. Murphy To Shut Many Day Care Centers Amid Coronavirus Crisis
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory for New Jersey. Read more: CDC Travel Advisory For NJ: No Coronavirus Travel Ban From Trump
• Murphy announced on Tuesday, April 7 that state and county parks will close. Read more: Gov. Murphy Closes Parks On NJ Coronavirus Crisis's Deadliest Day
  

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The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.

While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses. This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.