TRENTON, N.J. (CBS/AP) — Gov. Phil Murphy is essentially shutting down the state of New Jersey as the number of coronavirus cases jumped to 178 in the Garden State. All of New Jersey’s public and private schools, along with colleges and universities, will close indefinitely starting Wednesday, while bars, restaurants and casinos will shutter at 8 p.m. on Monday.

The New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association released results of a new poll that found more than a third of restaurants predict they’ll have to close in the next six months. According to Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), more than 23% of independent restaurants in New Jersey have closed. For some that have survived, they have limped their way through 2020 and hope to.

“Today, I am signing an executive order stating that effective Wednesday, March 18, all New Jersey schools will be closed. And while this closure will be for at least two weeks, they will remain closed until such time as it is deemed by health officials to be safe for them to reopen,” Murphy said.

BREAKING: New Jersey reporting 80 new cases of #coronavirus. There is now a total of 178 cases in the state, ranging in age from 5-93 years.

— Jessica Kartalija (@JessKartalija) March 16, 2020

Murphy is mobilizing the National Guard after 80 new cases were announced. There is now a total of 178 COVID-19 cases ranging in age from 5 to 93.

The state is setting up testing sites as soon as possible.

“We will do this the right way, the responsible way,” Murphy said.

To slow the spread of #COVID19, I'm ordering:
•Closure of ALL pre-K, K-12 schools, higher ed insts. beginning 3/18
•Closure of ALL casinos, racetracks, theaters, gyms
•Closure of ALL non-essential retail, recreational, & entertainment bizs after 8pm
•Banning gatherings of 50+ pic.twitter.com/mmZe0bZWgb

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 16, 2020

Murphy says the overall educational needs and free meals will be met for students and that bars and restaurants can remain open for takeout or delivery only.

Essential businesses like supermarkets and gas stations will be able to stay open after 8 p.m., though all non-essential businesses must close.

“With all we are seeing in our state – and across our nation and around the world – the time for us to take our strongest, and most direct, actions to date to slow the spread of coronavirus is now. I’ve said many times over the past several days that, in our state, we are going to get through this as one New Jersey family. But if we’re all in this together, we must work with our neighboring states to act together. The work against coronavirus isn’t just up to some of us, it’s up to all of us,” Murphy said.

Murphy told residents to take the threat from the virus seriously — calling out people over the weekend who frequented bars and pubs to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. He also added that people should not panic.

“This is not a time for selfishness. This is a time to think of those around you,” he said. “There are some people out there who think this is fake news. This is not fake news. This is real.”

Murphy is prohibiting gatherings of 50 or more people, lining up with federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.

Murphy says it’s not a curfew but he is asking people not to travel between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Nj Closing Restaurants Due To Coronavirus

“Starting tonight, all non-essential and non-emergency travel in New Jersey is strongly discouraged between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. This will remain in effect for the foreseeable future. We want everyone to be home – and not out,” Murphy said.

The DMV has also closed its offices for the next two weeks.

There are currently 17 coronavirus cases in South Jersey — including six in Mercer County, five in Burlington County, and three each in Camden and Ocean Counties.

Restaurants

In the city of Burlington, students can still receive breakfast and lunch each morning weekday at Wilbur Watts School, Burlington City High School and LIFE Four Corners Daycare.

CBS3’s Lesley Van Arsdall contributed to this report.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Governor Phil Murphy is requiring indoor bars and restaurants in New Jersey to close by 10 p.m., one of several restrictions that he announced today to address a spike in COVID-19 cases.

“There is more than anecdotal evidence that as the night wears on, probably for reasons that are obvious, people let their hair down,” Murphy said, while also sharing that the state’s positivity rate is at 7.52%.

The new guidelines, which go into effect beginning Thursday, November 12th, also prohibit bar seating. (Indoor dining is allowed at 25% capacity.) The state is tracking a few outbreaks that are connected to customers and bartenders, and it’s believed that social distancing isn’t occurring at the bar.

A second wave is here.
This is our reality.
We must redouble our efforts and recommit to the practices that have gotten us this far – social distancing, washing our hands, and wearing our masks.

Is Nj Going To Lockdown Again

Nj Closing Restaurants— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) November 9, 2020

The restrictions apply to indoor bars, restaurants, banquet halls, and event spaces. Casinos will end food and bar service at 10 p.m., but gambling will be allowed to continue into the night. The new guidelines don’t apply to outdoor dining or events.

Murphy announced 2,075 new COVID-19 cases, the sixth day cases have exceeded 2,000 in the state. There are currently 1,537 people with COVID in the hospital, making this the first time New Jersey has exceeded 1,500 hospitalizations since June. There are also 309 people in ICU, the highest since mid-June.

“To be clear, the last thing I want to do...is shut down our economy, and thankfully we’re not at that point,” Murphy said. “We are acting with more precision-based actions from what we are seeing on the ground.”

Nj Closing Restaurants Due To Coronavirus

The new restrictions also come with some ability for restaurants to expand capacity limits if barriers between tables are installed. Outdoor dining bubbles, basically a plastic tent that surrounds a table, will also be allowed.

“We have to shake off the pandemic fatigue that I know we all feel, I feel it as well,” Murphy said.

The governor is also prohibiting any interstate games or tournaments for indoor sports. Youth hockey has contributed to COVID transmission, Murphy said. “That risk is even greater when teams from multiple states come together for tournaments or other youth league functions.”

NEW: Starting this Thursday, ALL interstate games and tournaments for indoor youth sports – up to and including high school – are prohibited.
It is simply not safe for teams to be crossing state lines at this time to participate in indoor competitions.

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) November 9, 2020

In other measures to stop the spread of the virus, New Jersey State Police are distributing 2.4 million masks to schools, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority has announced a discount program for businesses to purchase personal protective equipment.

NOW OPEN: Phase II of the @NewJerseyEDA’s PPE Access Program.
All New Jersey-based businesses and non-profits can received a 10% discount on PPE.
More information: https://t.co/mPrfbwRasP

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) November 9, 2020

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