ADAM ANIK
BY JAIMIE JULIA WINTERS
winters@montclairlocal.news
Residents will be able to get a haircut, get in a workout and eat at an outdoor cafe before the end of June.
On June 15, nonessential retail can open back up, as well as outdoor cafes. On June 22, salons and barber shops can offer services, and gyms and health clubs will be allowed to open by the end of the month, Gov. Phil Murphy announced during his daily briefing today, Monday, June 1.
New Jersey is moving to Phase Two of reopening.
“As we move through Stage One of our strategic restart and recovery process, public health data continues to demonstrate our collective success in flattening the curve of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations,” said Murphy. “It is with these favorable metrics, coupled with expanded testing capacity and contact tracing, that we can responsibly enter Stage Two of our multi-stage approach to recovery. Our economic restart must instill confidence among our residents and visitors that their safety, and that of their families, is our number one priority. I encourage all New Jerseyans to continue their vigilance in keeping themselves and their communities safe by social distancing, wearing face coverings, washing hands frequently, and limiting gatherings.”
All of the reopened businesses will have to comply with safe distancing measures, stringent hygiene practices, reduced capacity and face-covering practices. Murphy said that all businesses that can continue to have workers work from home should continue to do so. Those who have compromised immune systems should continue to stay home, “as the virus is still among us.”
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As of today, June 1, 11,721 residents have succumbed to COVID-19 and to date 160,918 have tested positive for the virus. Of those numbers, 33,118 cases and 5,106 were in long-term care facilities.
Numbers of hospitalizations continued to decline as the weekend ended. Last night, 2,344 New Jerseyans were in the hospital, with 646 in intensive care, of which 469 were on ventilators. On Saturday, 2,469 were in the hospital with the virus. Thirty-six new patients entered the hospital, while 160 were discharged, Sunday night.
At the peak of hospitalizations on April 13, state officials were reporting 7,986 patients hospitalized and 2,080 in critical care.
Today, 509 new positives were reported, down from the 837 reported yesterday, and 27 new deaths down from the 64 reported yesterday. Officials have said the numbers coming off a weekend are underreported, however.
“As we open up we know there is a greater chance for transmission of the virus. As we open we know more people will test positive,” said Murphy.
New Jersey’s testing capacity is now above 20,000 a day, and the state leads the nation in daily testing per capita. Later in the week government officials are expected to give more details on contact tracing measures and isolation options.
The number of tests conducted to date are 795,600, with tests conducted on May 28 showing a 3.5 percent positivity rate.
Cases in Montclair increased from yesterday by two, with the total now at 417. The death toll remains at 49.
Essex County officials reported 56 new cases and two new deaths, with the totals now at 17,733, and the 1,666 respectively.
Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli reported that since Friday five more children have been diagnosed with Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome, bringing the state total to 31. Twenty-one have tested positive for COVID-19.
Of those children to have been diagnosed with MSIS, 23 percent are white, 27 percent are black, 39 percent are Hispanic, and eight percent are Asian.