{"id":2627,"date":"2020-05-08T09:47:03","date_gmt":"2020-05-08T13:47:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.construction.com\/newsroom_details_pag\/construction-restart-could-be-soon\/"},"modified":"2025-10-08T06:28:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T10:28:40","slug":"construction-restart-could-be-soon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.construction.com\/reports\/construction-restart-could-be-soon\/","title":{"rendered":"Construction restart could be soon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Coronavirus in N.J.: What is reopening? Beaches, construction sites, curbside businesses may be next. (May 7, 2020)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Gov. Phil Murphy says he is considering allowing<\/a> more New Jersey businesses to reopen with curbside service or other social-distancing guidelines. He gave a window<\/a> of what may come next on Wednesday night after he extended the public health emergency<\/a> by 30 days.<\/p>\n

Guidance for beaches<\/a>, nonessential construction being allowed again and some businesses offering curbside pickup and delivery could be next in line, Murphy noted.<\/p>\n

Cape May County officials have already sent Murphy a plan to incrementally reopen beaches<\/a>, boardwalks, bars and other staples of the county\u2019s tourism industry over the next two months.<\/p>\n

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES: Live map tracker<\/a> | Businesses that are open<\/a> | Homepage<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

New Jersey, a state of 9 million residents, had reported at least 131,890 COVID-19 cases<\/a> as of Wednesday and had 8,549 deaths attributed to the virus in two months. Only New York has more among American states. The state reported another 1,513 positive tests and 308 deaths Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Here is the breakdown of what is closed and what remains open or has adapted its services in response to COVID-19:<\/p>\n

What\u2019s open<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Many restaurants, including<\/a> fast-food chains,<\/a> Starbucks and Dunkin\u2019 are open<\/a><\/p>\n

Restaurants and bars are open, but have been ordered<\/a> by Murphy not to accept dine-in customers. Takeout and delivery services can be offered on a limited basis, and establishments that serve alcohol will be provided a waiver for carry-out alcohol, Murphy said. Customers picking up food must also wear face coverings.<\/p>\n

Fast-food chains like Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, McDonald\u2019s, KFC and Starbucks announced they are enhancing delivery services, according to a report by Food & Wine<\/a>. Burger King, Domino\u2019s, Moe\u2019s and Popeye\u2019s are also enhancing their delivery sources according to a report by Delish<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Starbucks said it plans to reopen some cafes<\/a> and hopes to have about 85% of its coffee shops across the nation reopened as states ease restrictions. It is not clear if that includes New Jersey, which still has strict orders in place. Starbucks had announced shuttering most of its stores<\/a> and allowing only drive-thru and delivery orders at the height of the pandemic.<\/p>\n

Dunkin\u2019 locations around metropolitan New York are still limiting service to drive-thru ordering, carry-out, curbside pick-up at select locations and delivery only.<\/p>\n

You can now have your pet groomed and go to doggy day care<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

The state is now allowing pet groomers,<\/a> pet daycare providers and pet boarding businesses to operate.<\/p>\n

Breweries are delivering to your door<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Breweries and brew pubs are also being granted special permission to conduct home deliveries. Some had already started the service<\/a> and then had to scramble for permission from the state.<\/p>\n

Parks, golfing, fishing, swimming, boating<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

New Jersey state and county parks and golf courses<\/a> reopened May 2 in the first major change to the near-lockdown orders implemented to slow the spread of the coronavirus<\/a> in the state. Murphy put a cap at 50% parking capacity as one of the conditions to reopening the parks.<\/p>\n

Marinas and boatyards in New Jersey<\/a>, New York and Connecticut reopened earlier in the month. Fishing is also allowed. The Garden State\u2019s trout season<\/a> opened April 1.<\/p>\n

Few beaches will be open<\/a> though, and Sandy Hook will not reopen<\/a> until May 9. Murphy said on May 4 that Jersey Shore towns can expect some guidance on restrictions<\/a> for beaches from state officials soon.<\/p>\n

The governor said Jersey Shore towns could restrict parking capacity \u2014 similar to restrictions placed on state parks when they reopened last weekend \u2014 and there could be a limit on how many beach badges are sold.<\/p>\n

You can buy a car or a house<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

New Jersey car dealers and real estate agents got some clarification on how they can continue to operate during the coronavirus outbreak.<\/p>\n

For Realtors, houses for sale can be shown to prospective buyers on a one-on-one basis or to immediate family. Open houses, however, remain banned.<\/p>\n

Auto dealers can make sales remotely and online, allowing vehicles to be delivered to customers or allowing for curbside pickup. Car repair and service centers had previously only been allowed to remain open.<\/p>\n

You can also test drive a car before you buy it<\/a>. Under revised rules issued on April 27, if you order a vehicle online or over the phone, you now can test drive it before buying, as long you are alone in the car, and the vehicle is cleaned and sanitized afterward should you decide not to buy it.<\/p>\n

Stores & supermarkets deemed essential, from CVS, Walmart and Costco to ShopRite and Trader Joe\u2019s are open<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

The essential businesses<\/a> that remain open \u2014 some with limitations \u2014 include:<\/p>\n