“Today’s announcement by Governor Murphy is a good step in the right direction, particularly as it relates to restaurants being permitted to stay open past 10 p.m. For many New Jersey establishments, the removal of that curfew will be of great benefit. We hope municipalities will continue to work with establishments to allow for expanded hours upon satisfying safety protocols.

“Obviously, we would like to see greater capacity allowed than the 35% announced today. This is what our Main Street businesses, like restaurants, gyms and personal care businesses, really need and what New Jersey needs to galvanize its economic recovery and to get people back to work.

“NJBIA has consistently maintained that creating public health and economic health are not mutually exclusive. A strong majority of our businesses have taken the needed steps – and beyond – to ensure a healthy and safe workplace.

“We are encouraged that the governor is announcing these steps today, but we also respectfully encourage that more will be needed, sooner rather than later, with livelihoods continuing to be at stake.”