Earlier today, Governor Murphy announced that he is signing an executive order that will continue to loosen restrictions in the state.

“Today, we are taking the next steps down New Jersey’s road back. And each step that eases us down this road is taken because public health, medical experts, and the data tell us that it is now safe to do so,” said Murphy during today’s COVID-19 update. “This is how we transition to a safe, smart, and sustainable way of life.”

Starting Monday, May 18, at 6:00 a.m., non-essential construction can restart; and non-essential retail stores can reopen for phone/online orders and curbside pickup. In addition, effective immediately, drive-through and drive-in events will be allowed under social distancing guidelines.

The governor indicated that data showed that New Jersey was ready for these changes. He stated that new hospitalizations are down two thirds; total hospitalizations are down nearly by half; patients in the ICU and on ventilators are down; positive COVID-19 cases down nearly 70 percent; and deaths have decreased more than a third.

“Data determines dates,” reiterated Murphy. “The data were our seeing gives us confidence to begin the careful and responsible restart of our economy, to get people back to work, and to begin to set the stage for the steps to come.

“We are taking these steps because we are confident that we can maintain the standards of social distancing that have been so important in meeting our data benchmarks. We have to continue to progress that we have made.”

At construction sites, work may resume with safeguards in place to prevent overcrowding; face coverings will be required; non-essential visitors will be prohibited from work sites; work hours and breaks will be staggered to limit the number of workers on site at one time; and proper sanitation will be ensured, among other steps. All safety protocols must be clearly posted at job sites.

For non-essential retail stores, the state is explicitly permitting curbside pickup; no customers are permitted inside. Orders must be placed in advance.

Gatherings of vehicles, such as drive-in movies or church services, are not a violation of Executive Order #107, which prohibits mass gatherings, as long as all participants remain in their cars. If vehicles are closer than six feet apart, then all windows, sunroofs, or convertible tops must remain closed.

“We were able to take these steps today because of the work you have done over the past eight weeks has created the conditions that make these steps possible,” said Murphy. “Millions of you have taken social distancing to heart and made it part of your daily routines. And we can increase our stride because we are confident that the expanded and accessible testing program, as well as the robust contact tracing program we are implementing will help us proactively catch and contain future cases of COVID-19 and prevent a second mass outbreak.”