Gov. Murphy Lifts NJ Stay-At-Home Order, Allows Bigger Gatherings

NEW JERSEY — Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday lifted New Jersey's stay-at-home order and will allow for much bigger gatherings, paving the way for graduations, protests and indoor and outdoor church services to occur. He made the announcement during a news conference as he revealed 375 additional coronavirus cases and 91 more deaths (you can watch the news conference here, below).

Murphy also made the announcement as the number of coronavirus cases rose to 164,796, and 12,303 people have died. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy outlined the changes that have been made:

• The limit on indoor gatherings was raised to 25 percent capacity, or 50 people total, paving the way for indoor church services to resume (indoor gathering, for the time being, does not include indoor dining).
• People must wear face coverings in these indoor gatherings.
• The limit on outdoor gatherings was raised from 25 to 100.
• The limit on outdoor gatherings will rise to 250 on June 22 and to 500 on July 3.
• The increase to 500 on July 3 will pave the way for outdoor graduations to resume in July, as long as fewer than 500 people are outside.
• Exceptions will be granted for outdoor religious services and First Amendment activities, such as protests.
• All outdoor recreational and entertainment can resume except for amusement parks, water parks and arcades.

Here is the schedule of the changes and reopenings: Gov. Murphy: 'Hard Dates' For NJ Coronavirus Reopening (UPDATE)

New Jersey actually has a long set of rules for outside and inside gatherings, but you may be surprised by what the Murphy administration is now allowing. Read more: New NJ Coronavirus Rules: Here's What Can Be Done Inside, Outside

Social distancing will remain the state's "watch words," Murphy said. He noted that the stay-at-home order is being lifted because of the efforts New Jersey has made in preventing the transmission of the virus. But people should still try to stay at least 6 feet apart.

"We are no longer requiring you to stay at home, but we are asking you to be responsible and safe," he said.

Murphy said the reduced risk of transmission outdoors allows for more activity. He said the risk of coronavirus spreading outside is 1/19 of what it is inside.

He did say that, if there is any troubling sign in the data or a backslide in New Jersey's progress, "either of these steps may not happen."

Murphy presented data that showed how much progress New Jersey is making amid the outbreak, and how the state's efforts to prevent the spread of the virus have allowed for more reopenings and bigger gatherings:

Murphy announced during his Monday news conference that pools will reopen. Here's when. Read more: Gov. Murphy: Pools To Reopen Amid Coronavirus Crisis: Here's When

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said pools will be allowed to reopen as long as:

• Capacity is reduced to 50 percent of capacity
• Staff and patrons must safely distance
• Signs and makings should denote 6 feet of space
• Face coverings are recommended, but not in the pool
• Pools should stagger access point for entry and exits
• Reservations are requested
• Guests should sign-in to help with contact tracing
• Occupancy in restrooms should be limited
• Foot coverings much be worn in restrooms and shower areas
• Staff should be screened for fever and symptoms
• Gloves should be worn by staff
• Disinfection should happen frequently
• Pool toys shouldn't be permitted

Murphy has extended New Jersey's public health emergency amid the coronavirus crisis, citing the disease's "ongoing risks." Here's what that means. Read more: Gov. Murphy Extends NJ's Coronavirus Public Health Emergency

Watch Murphy here:

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