COVID-19: Gov's New Executive Order on Retail, Construction and Drive-Thru Gatherings
Published on May 13, 2020
Reopening Non-Essential Retail for Curbside Pickups and All Non-Essential Construction
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has issued a new executive order this afternoon, impacting retail business, construction, and drive-thru gatherings in what he said is an effort to safely begin reopening the state.
- Non-essential retail businesses can reopen for online or phone ordering and curbside pickup, starting 6 a.m. on Monday, May 18.
- Non-essential construction work can re-start across the state, starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, May 18.
- Drive-thru gatherings, such as drive-in movies and drive-thru religious gatherings can begin statewide immediately.
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"We are beginning to take the necessary steps to re-start our economy and getting our state on the road back,'' Gov. Murphy said at his daily COVID-19 briefing.
The Governor said these steps are being allowed because "the data shows we are ready, the data and metrics are falling into place.''
He explained that new hospitalizations are down by two-thirds, total hospitalizations are down by one-half, ICU and ventilator cases are down "significantly,'' positive COVID cases are down by 70 percent, and deaths are down by one-third, all since the peak of the epidemic in March.
Regarding construction, he said the following practices are required at job sites:
- No overcrowding
- Mandatory use of face coverings
- Prohibition on non-essential visitors to job sites
- Staggered work hours
- Proper sanitation facilities to be made available
Regarding non-essential retail reopening, the Governor stressed that social distancing and proper sanitation would be required.
"We can get our small businesses up and running in a manner that protects the safety of workers and customers,'' he said.
The Governor gave a specific "shout out'' to Chester Mayor Janet Hoven for her exemplary and reasoned suggestions on these issues.