New Jersey Is Increasing the Capacity Limits for Certain Businesses and Events
Effective at 6 a.m. on March 19, 2021, New Jersey will expand the indoor capacity limits for certain businesses and increase the limit on indoor and outdoor gatherings. On March 11, 2021, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order No. 230, which effectuates the following changes to the current COVID-19 restrictions:
Indoor Businesses
The following businesses will be able to increase their indoor capacity limits to 50% of the business’s maximum capacity, excluding employees:
Indoor restaurants, cafeterias, food courts, and bars.
Salons, barber shops, and other personal care services.
Gyms, fitness centers, casinos, amusement, entertainment, and other indoor recreation.
Indoor Gatherings
The general limit for indoor gatherings will increase to 25 people.
The gathering limit for indoor political activities, non-religious weddings and funerals, and wedding receptions increases to 35%, excluding venue staff. This limit cannot be smaller than 25 people or larger than 150 people.
The gathering limit for indoor religious services or ceremonies, including weddings and funerals, increases to 50%, excluding venue staff. The minimum limit for such events can never be smaller than 25 people for such services or ceremonies.
Other Gatherings
The general limit for outdoor gatherings will increase to 50 people.
Outdoor religious services or ceremonies, including weddings and funerals, and political activities will have no numerical limit.
Outdoor entertainment, such as concerts, movies, or performances will be limited to the maximum number of people that would permit everyone to remain six feet apart, up to 150 people.
Executive Order 230 also increases the capacity limits for professional, college, and other sporting events.
As New Jersey continues to reopen its economy, local businesses will need to monitor the applicable Executive Orders and adjust their business operations accordingly. If you have questions about your business’s COVID-19 obligations, please contact us at (201) 345-5412 or through our online scheduling system to set up a complimentary consultation.