By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

Earlier this afternoon, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that Stage II of the state’s recovery will begin in two weeks time, due to adherence of social distancing guidelines and the “Stay at Home” Executive Order.

“Today I can announce that we are ready to move to Stage II of our restart and recovery,” said Murphy. “As we have looked to set dates, we have maintained close and regular contact with industry associations and individual industry leaders, small business owners and restaurateurs, as well as our Restart and Recovery Commission and our advisory councils.”

As the first step of Stage II, in strict adherence with the guidance from the Department of Health, restaurants can welcome diners to outdoor spaces and non-essential retail stores will be able to have customers inside their stores. In addition, salons and barbershops can reopen to serve their clientele on Monday, June 22. The timing for the reopening of gyms and health clubs to reduced capacities will be announced “soon,” according to the governor.

“Later this week, Judy [Persichilli] and her team at the Department of Health will have the necessary guidance ready,” explain Murphy. “Once that guidance is ready, our businesses will have the time they need to prepare.”

“Entering Stage II doesn’t mean that we flick a light switch. This will continue to be a phased in restart based upon analysis of inherent risks and the ability to safeguard public health,” added Murphy. “Just because the calendar says June 15 mean that everyone should just go back to what they were doing and the way they were doing it pre-COVID. For example, those businesses with workers that can work from home will be expected to keep the workers at home. Let’s use common sense for the common good.”