New Jersey indefinitely postpones plans to resume indoor dining

TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy says the state is pulling back on plans to resume indoor dining beginning Thursday, July 2. 

Murphy said Monday the postponement is indefinite and cited spikes in cases in other states "driven by, in part by the return of indoor dining."

Last week the state had announced casinos, water parks, playgrounds, museums, aquariums, and libraries would all reopening along with the resumption of indoor dining.

So far, plans to resume those other activities remain unchanged.

"We have been cautious throughout every step of our restart. We’ve always said that we would not hesitate to hit pause if needed to safeguard public health. This is one of those times," Murphy said Monday.

On Twitter, the governor also pointed to what the state has seen in some establishments across the state.

"Overcrowding. A complete disregard for social distancing. Very few, IF ANY, face coverings. The scenes we see in our newspapers and on social media CANNOT CONTINUE," he added.

Indoor portions of retail shopping malls across the state of New Jersey reopened on Monday with new guidelines in place.

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RELATED COVERAGE: 

• New Jersey shopping malls can reopen at 50% capacity Monday
• Outdoor dining, in-person retail resumes in New Jersey
• Gov. Murphy lifts NJ stay-at-home order, raises limit on size of indoor, outdoor social gatherings
• Barbershops, hair salons to reopen in New Jersey on June 22, Murphy says

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