
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that indoor gatherings will be reduced to 25% capacity with a maximum number of 25 people, due to the “upward climb” in the Covid-19 transmission rate.
Citing a rise in indoor house parties that have been seen all across the state, the governor said, “We cannot be any clearer that indoor gatherings and especially large crowded ones where social distancing isn’t practiced and face masks aren’t worn, they are just not safe.”
Murphy went on to say until the state sees the rate of increase drop, “the actions of a few knuckleheads leave us no other course.”
According to the governor, the restrictions do not apply to weddings, funerals, memorial services and religious and political activities protected under the First Amendment.
“Too be clear this tightened restriction caps indoor house parties at 25 people, period,” Murphy said.
The governor said he welcomed the “proactive action” taken by Airbnb to suspend and remove the listings of some 35 properties, which received complaints for becoming party houses.
"This is a welcomed step to not only restore some sanity and peace to neighborhoods but to help us curtail the dangerous actions of a few that may put many people and entire communities at risk," Murphy said.
The latest numbers: The rate of transmission stands at 1.48, which has not been that high since early April, the governor said Monday. The daily positivity rate as of July 30 is 1.88%.
There have been 264 news cases of Covid-19 with 10 fatalities over the course of the last three days.
The state reported 738 Covid-19 hospitalizations, with 144 patients in intensive care units, 34% of patients are on ventilators.