Some new restrictions on sports, gatherings, holiday suggestions
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
Responding to rumors about returning to a statewide shutdown, Gov. Phil Murphy said they are just that – rumors.
During his Monday afternoon COVID-19 press conference, the governor did add some new restrictions – limits on outdoor gatherings and stopping all youth and adult sports from Dec. 5 to Jan. 2 – but he said “those rumors … are just that. Rumors.
“Just because we say that all options are on the table … that does not mean we are about to exercise any of those options,” Murphy said. “We have made it clear over the past weeks we are not in the same situation we found ourselves in during the spring when the state had to take dramatic actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.”
Instead of having to issue sweeping orders, the state has more moves that it can take to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“We are no less committed or steadfast … but we now have the ability to be more focused and surgical. We have much better data and science to draw from now than we did eight months ago,” he said.
Asked if he was considering closing schools to in-person learning, Murphy said the state does have that option but he does not see that happening and that schools have been one of the safer settings during the coronavirus pandemic.
Because of better understanding of the virus and other factors, the state can put restrictions on the activities that have proved to have the greatest risk of transmission, he said, adding, “Our overarching aim is the stability of the state’s health system and ensure care for everyone who needs it.”
The state took the broad steps in the spring because factors pointed toward overload at the hospitals and the potential collapse of the state’s health care system. “The cliff we were standing on was frightening,” he said about the time, noting there were also shortages of critical supplies and lack of knowledge about the virus.
Those have all been addressed and the state is on a much better footing, the governor asserted.
New limits
That said, Murphy said the state is limiting outdoor gatherings to 25 people as of 6 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7. The only exceptions are for religious or political activities, which enjoy Constitutional protection, and funerals, weddings and memorial services.
Outdoor dining is not affected by the new limits.
All indoor youth and adult sports – including practices, competitions and rec leagues – are on “full and complete pause” effective 6 a.m. Saturday through Jan. 2, 2021.
The only exceptions are collegiate and professional level sports.
He noted this aligns with the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) and neighboring states. More than a week ago, the NJSIAA had announced delays in high school athletics until after the start of the new year.
“We do not take this step lightly,” Murphy said, noting he is a huge sports fan.
The first practice for high schools’ winter season was going to be for ice hockey on Dec. 14, but that, too, has been pushed back into January.
High school sports begin with basketball practice allowed starting Jan. 11 with competition to begin Jan. 26 and finish by March 6.
Track and field will begin practice alongside swimming on Feb. 1 with competitions to begin Feb. 16 and end March 27.
Wrestling will no longer be played in early winter. Instead, it will begin practice March 1 with competition from March 16 to April 24.
Girls volleyball follows the same dates as wrestling.
According to the NJSIAA, fans aren’t going to be allowed to watch any of the indoor sports in person.
In a press release, the NJSIAA wrote, “Under Executive Order 196, indoor practices and competitions are limited to 10 persons, however, if the number of individuals who are necessary for the practice or competition, such as players, coaches, and referees, is greater than 10 persons, the practice or competition may proceed. If this exception applies, the number of individuals still may not exceed 25 percent of the capacity of the room in which it takes place, or 150 persons, whichever is less. Practically speaking, this means that spectators are prohibited.”
Holiday guidelines
Dr. Edward Lifshitz, medical director at the state Department of Health, offered new guidelines for the holidays.
“This year we need to change how we enjoy the holidays,” he said.
He said to limit family gatherings, especially those that cross generations, and to limit travel outside of the state. People who travel out of state – except to Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and Delaware – should quarantine for 14 days.
Christmas tree and menorah lightings should be held outdoors, subject to the new gathering limits. He said the state strongly recommends limiting visits to Santa at indoor locations, saying they should only be made by reservation, with social distancing, wearing masks and not letting children sit on Santa’s lap.
For choirs and caroling, all singing groups should be socially distanced from each other and from audiences. All performers and guests must wear masks.
The state is also discouraging holiday parades. If they do go forth, attendance should be limited and candy and other items should not be thrown to spectators. Live-streaming the parades is preferred so audiences can watch them from home.
Current COVID stats
With state Health Commissioner Dr. Judy Persichilli quarantining because there was a positive COVID-19 test at the Department of Health, Murphy outlined the latest statewide coronavirus statistics.
As of Sunday night, there were 2,961 patients in hospitals; 263 patients were discharged that day and replaced by 378 new patients.
There were 26 deaths in hospitals, though not all were confirmed as COVID-related.
There was a statewide positivity rate of 11.34 percent for all tests on Thanksgiving day, he said, and a rate of transmission of 1.11.
Death toll is at 15,164 with another suspected 1,829 coronavirus-related fatalities. There were 15 related deaths reported Monday.
Murphy encouraged everyone to get tested this week, especially if they were at a Thanksgiving gathering. To find a testing site, go to covid19.nj.gov/testing.
The state is stepping up testing for all long-term care residents, staff and visitors.
He noted the state contact tracing is running into non-compliance and that in 69 percent of cases, people are refusing to cooperate. He urged people to help with the contact tracing.
Deeper dive
Today (Wednesday) Murphy said he would be offering a “deeper dive” into the modeling for the second wave of the coronavirus to provide “a better idea of what we are up against.”
He used the characters from “A Christmas Carol” to say it is like the ghosts showing Scrooge not what the future will be, but what it may be “if we give in to pandemic fatigue.”