“With our COVID-19 numbers, particularly hospitalizations, trending decisively in the right direction, and our vaccination goals within reach, now is the time to take major steps to reopen our economy and loosen both indoor and outdoor gathering and capacity restrictions,” said Murphy.
“We’ve done this the right way … by allowing data, science, and public health to guide our decision-making,” the governor added.
On May 19, the nine casinos in Atlantic City will be permitted to operate at full strength, while bar seating and casino buffets can resume this Friday, May 7.
While Murphy is further easing coronavirus protocols throughout the state, masks remain mandatory indoors, and six-foot social distancing guidelines still apply. The governor’s actions coincide with New York and Connecticut, which announced easing of their COVID-19 restrictions in conjunction with New Jersey.
Murphy has set a goal of having 70 percent of the state population fully vaccinated by June 30. To reach that objective, approximately 4.7 million New Jerseyans will need to become fully vaccinated with either two shots of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson.
The New Jersey Department of Health says as of this week, more than 3.26 million people in the state are fully vaccinated from the COVID-19.
“Over these next few weeks, I encourage all remaining eligible New Jerseyans to get vaccinated so we can continue fighting back against this virus and move toward a ‘new normal’ for ourselves, our neighbors, and our loved ones,” Murphy concluded.
In 2019, prior to the pandemic, Atlantic City casinos reported hotel occupancy of roughly 86% between April through September. In Q1 — January through March — hotel occupancy was 72.6%, and in Q4 — October through December — 72.2%.
Source: GMB / Casino.org
