Coronavirus in N.J.: What’s open, what’s closed? Restaurants, stores, banks, mail delivery, malls, UPS, gyms, – NJ.com
As the coronavirus outbreak in New Jersey enters its second month, non-essential businesses remain closed and people continue to be told to stay home.
State officials announced 3,599 new cases of coronavirus on April 11 with 251 additional deaths. In all, 58,151 have tested positive for COVID-19 in New Jersey with 2,183 fatalities.
The essential businesses that remain open include grocery stores; food banks; pharmacies; gas stations; auto mechanics; convenience stores; banks; hardware stores; laundromats; liquor stores; office supply shops; pet stores; gun shops; mobile phone retail and repair shops; bicycle shops, but only to provide service and repairs; livestock feed stores; nurseries and garden stores; farming equipment stores; stores that sell supplies for young children; and, mail and delivering shops.
State officials previously clarified how other businesses deemed essential can operate, including how car dealers can conduct sales and deliveries of vehicles, how Realtors can show homes and how breweries can serve customers. Murphy ordered on April 8 that all non-essential construction statewide must stop by April 10 at 8 p.m. in the latest escalation of his lockdown restrictions to curb the virus spread.
On April 8, Murphy ordered all employees and shoppers at businesses still open to wear face coverings until further notice to help stem the virus spread. Murphy, on April 11, also said customers picking up food must also wear face coverings.
The governor limited the number of customers allowed inside supermarkets and stores to a max of 50% of their capacity, with several retailers already putting the practice into place before Murphy’s orders.
New rules and restrictions for public transportation will begin on April 13. Murphy’s latest executive order cuts NJ Transit trains and buses to 50% capacity and requires employees and riders to wear face coverings. It takes effect on April 13 at 8 pm.
Many retailers have chosen to expand their timeline for returns and will resume in-store exchanges once the stores reopen.
Several organizations and state health officials are asking people to step up in the fight against COVID-19 by donating blood. Donating blood is considered an “essential” service during statewide lockdowns, so you are allowed to venture outside your house to donate.
Here’s the breakdown of what is closed and what remains open or has adapted its services in response to COVID-19:
No. Gov. Phil Murphy ordered all schools to close. This includes public, private, parochial, from pre-K through grade 12, and colleges and universities. Schools will continue to teach students via distance learning, using either online assignments or worksheets depending on their district’s resources.
Child day care centers in New Jersey closed until further notice unless they “solely serve” the kids of “essential workers.” On April 2, state officials unveiled a program to help cover child care costs for essential workers fighting the virus outbreak.
No. Centers are closed statewide until further notice.
Elective surgeries in New Jersey are temporarily suspended so resources can be directed to fighting the spread of coronavirus.
Murphy signed an executive order in March that stops surgeries and invasive procedures on adults as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread. It applies to all medical and dental operations that can be delayed without risk to patients. Family planning – such as abortions – will be allowed to continue.
Dental offices, like doctor’s offices, are considered essential and remain open, but many dentists are only doing emergency work, per the recommendation of the American Dental Association.
The state Department of Health announced in March it will enact regulatory reforms to ease burdens of patients seeking to buy medical marijuana during the coronavirus outbreak.
Dispensaries can now offer curbside pickup to patients, ridding them of the need to enter the storefronts or stand in lines. Patients can also now register caregivers, or designated people to pick up their medicine at the reduced fee of $20 previously offered to some low-income patients.
Yes, banks can remain open, but some have opted to close locations. Some branches and stores will modify hours, and it’s always good to call your bank or visit its website before venturing out.
United States Postal Service offices remain open and continue to deliver mail, according to its website’s FAQs section. Printing and office supply shops and mail and delivering shops will be allowed to remain open.
FedEx and UPS will also continue to deliver.
While Amazon is continuing to deliver all shipments, it is temporarily prioritizing household staples, medical supplies and other high-demand products according to a post on its website, which is updated periodically. However, because of a high volume in orders, your delivery may be delayed.
Yes, but many are hosting services virtually. Many churches are live-streaming their services or hosting them differently — a list of houses of worship offering live-streaming can be found here.
Libraries around the state have been ordered closed, but residents can continue to access many of their resources without having to leave the comfort of their own bedrooms.
Digital collections — like e-books, videos and music — are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at various libraries across the Garden State, particularly larger ones that cater to a wider base of library users.
New Jersey courts have shifted to video and phone conferencing options.
Murphy has ordered all gyms and fitness centers to close indefinitely. Any workouts will need to take place at home.
Restaurants and bars will remain open, but have been ordered by Murphy to not 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.
Murphy, on April 11, also said customers picking up food must also wear face coverings.
Fast-food chains like Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, McDonald’s, KFC and Starbucks announced they are enhancing delivery services, according to a report by Food & Wine.
Burger King, Domino’s, Moe’s and Popeye’s are also enhancing their delivery sources according to a report by Delish.
Starbucks in March announced the company is shuttering most of its stores and only allowing drive-thru and delivery orders. Starbucks said it’s temporarily closing cafés until further notice although some locations will be open around hospitals to serve health care workers and front-line responders. Starbucks is also offering free coffee to front-line responders.
Dunkin’ locations around metropolitan New York are limiting service to drive-thru ordering, carry-out, curbside pick-up at select locations, and delivery only.
Murphy has ordered all indoor malls and amusement parks to close.
No. Most Shore towns have closed their boardwalks and some have restricted beach access. Many municipal and state leaders are asking people with Shore houses to not relocate in an effort to prevent community spread of the virus. Murphy warned of crackdowns on those violating the shelter-in-place efforts. Some Shore towns have also banned short-term rentals.
No. Murphy has ordered all movie theaters to close.
Six Flags Great Adventure has pushed back its opening day until at least mid-May because of the coronavirus pandemic.
No, Murphy announced updates to executive order 107 that include the closing of golf courses as recreational businesses.
The Garden State on April 1 opened trout season, 10 days earlier than usual.
Murphy, on April 7, ordered all state parks to close.
No. Murphy has ordered all casinos to close.
No. Murphy ordered all personal care businesses to close, including barber shops, hair and nail salons, spas, tattoo parlors and social clubs.
Gun retailers in New Jersey are open as an essential business during the coronavirus outbreak, Murphy announced at the end of March, in a reversal of his previous position on this issue.
Murphy’s decision to deem firearm dealers an essential business follows guidelines issued by the federal Department of Homeland Security, which added gun dealers, ranges and manufacturers to its list of essential business guide for its coronavirus response.
The gun shops may re-open “by appointment only and under limited hours,” Murphy said. He said the state would continue to enforce its regulations on gun sales.
New Jersey car dealers and real estate agents got some clarification on how they can continue to operate during the coronavirus outbreak.
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.
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.
Breweries and brew pubs are also being granted special permission to conduct home deliveries. Some had already started the service and then had to scramble for permission from the state.
Most stores are impacted by the governor’s order to shutter businesses.
The essential businesses that remain open include grocery stores; food banks; pharmacies; gas stations; auto mechanics; convenience stores; banks; hardware stores; laundromats; liquor stores; office supply shops; pet stores; gun shops; mobile phone retail and repair shops bicycle shops, but only to provide service and repairs; livestock feed stores; nurseries and garden stores; farming equipment stores; stores that sell supplies for young children; and, mail and delivering shops.
Murphy previously clarified how other businesses deemed essential can operate, including how car dealers can conduct sales and deliveries of vehicles, how Realtors can show homes and how breweries can serve customers. Construction sites are not closed, and manufacturers, ports and logistics operations can continue operating with staff at minimal levels.
Big retailers, such as Walmart, Target and Costco, as of March 21, had not announced closings, although the store hours for both Walmart and Target have been affected (see below). Costco announced on March 28 its warehouses will close at 6:30 p.m. but weekend hours will not change.
Many essential retailers, including supermarkets, have established shopping hours for seniors and those at risk if they were to be exposed to the coronavirus, and some have limited the number of customers being allowed in the stores at any one time.
Kohl’s on March 31 said it will extend temporary store closures “until further notice” but has curbside pick-up services between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day.
Bed, Bath & Beyond also announced on March 22 that all locations are closed.
All pharmacies are open although Walgreens said most of its 24-hour locations are now operating from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
All grocery stores remain open, but many have announced changes in store hours in order to restock their shelves to keep up with quarantines and panic buying. It is best to check each store’s website for the latest information on hours and purchase restrictions.
Murphy has required all store employees and shoppers to wear face masks or coverings to help fight the coronavirus outbreak until further notice and has limited customers in stores to a max of 50% of the store’s capacity. The governor announced on April 8 he signed a new executive order to enforce the rule.
Store employees are allowed to limit the time offenders are allowed to stay in the store and ask people anybody who isn’t wearing a mask or covering to stay away from other customers, a Murphy official said.
Workers will also be required to wear gloves if they’re interacting with customers, Murphy said. Businesses are required to give workers masks, coverings and gloves at the businesses’ expense. Those under age 2 or those with medical reasons for not wearing a face covering are exempt.
Major grocery and retail stores that usually stay open on Easter Sunday have announced plans to close for the day to give employees a break during the coronavirus pandemic. Among those that will be closed on Easter Sunday are BJ’s Wholesale Club, Trader Joe’s, Sam’s Club, Costco, Target and Aldi.
Here’s a list of the supermarkets and pharmacies with new policies:
Acme will open every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 9 a.m. to the elderly, people with compromised immune systems and pregnant women. These groups also will be able to shop at Fresh Market for the first hour of operations, from 8 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. Acme said it will limit the number of customers allowed in its supermarkets at any one time.
ALDI stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, though some stores may have limited hours to accommodate restocking and cleaning. Vulnerable shoppers will be able to shop on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Along with other stores, Aldi is limiting the number of people inside to about five customers per 1,000 square feet. ALDI will also be taking the temperatures of store and warehouse employees before they report to work.
BJ’s said it’s limiting the number of members allowed inside clubs at one time. The number of members allowed in clubs will vary by location based on the square footage of each club. No more than twenty percent of a club’s total capacity will be allowed in the building at any given time
All New Jersey locations are opening one hour early every day for members who are age 60 or older. This special opening hour will be from 8 to 9 a.m. daily and there will be a designated entrance for them to use. Clubs are closing early to give team members more time to restock, sanitize and recharge. BJ’s Optical centers are also temporarily closed until further notice.
Costco announced on March 28 its warehouses will close at 6:30 p.m. but weekend hours will not change. Gas stations will close at 7 p.m. Costco announced it is open for seniors and for people with disabilities from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays. Costco said it will allow no more than two people to enter the warehouse with each membership card. Costco has implemented limits on certain items to help ensure more members are able to purchase merchandise they want and need.
The Tennessee-based discount store will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 or 9 p.m., depending on store locations. Dollar General will be dedicating the first hour of its more than 100 stores throughout the Garden State to helping senior shoppers in particular. It will also be closing an hour early to help restock shelves. Hours for specific locations are available here.
Fairway’s stores in New Jersey are open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays in Woodland Park and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Paramus.
The German discount grocer said it will be temporarily limiting the amount of customers in stores at one time to approximately five customers per 1,000 square feet.
The retailer has shifted its New Jersey hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice. Lidl has not yet announced limitations on specific items, but “is working diligently to secure our supply chain and limit impacts on availability to the largest extent possible,” Lidl President and CEO Johannes Fieber announced. The retailer on March 24 added further deep-cleaning measures aimed at protecting employees and customers.
The wholesale club will now be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and will maintain its regular Sunday operating hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The retailer is also implementing special hours of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for seniors and those with disabilities or compromised immune systems. The wholesale club plans to also include “Shop From Your Car” services.
While many ShopRite locations have not changed hours, some are operating on modified schedules based on product deliveries and the need to restock shelves and allow for additional cleaning, according to a notice posted on its website.
ShopRite has begun limiting the number of items shoppers can purchase to two per each of the following categories: disinfectant cleaners and wipes, paper products, bar and liquid soaps, cough/cold/flu over-the-counter medicines, fresh meat, eggs. A list of other items that are subject to purchase limits per category at checkout has been posted online. Product limits are subject to change at the store manager’s discretion.
ShopRite has also dedicated special shopping hours for its most vulnerable customers but shoppers are encouraged to check their local stores.
ShopRite has also temporarily suspended its refund, return and raincheck policies.
More than two dozen ShopRites throughout New Jersey have limited the number of customers allowed inside at one time to help slow the spread of coronavirus and will begin taking temperatures for workers before they report to work.
Stew Leonard’s, which operates grocery stores in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, announced stores will open an hour early for seniors and other vulnerable shoppers. To find out what time elder hours start in your area, check here for store hours.
Most Stop & Shop stores have adjusted their hours to 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. People ages 60 and up or those with weakened immune systems could shop at the store from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily using a designated entrance, which will be marked at their local store.
The store’s online pickup service has been suspended until further notice, as store associates are instead instructed to “focus on stocking product and other key priorities that will better meet the needs of all customers at this time.”
All Stop & Shop locations will limit the number of customers allowed in the store at any given time to provide optimal social distancing space.
Target has reduced its operating hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m, and is reserving the first hour of shopping each Wednesday for the elderly and those with underlying health concerns. In-demand services supporting local distancing including Order Pickup and Drive Up will have extra staffing. Target also said it will not accept returns and exchanges through April 16.
Target is also actively monitoring and, when needed, will limit the total number of people inside based on the store’s specific square footage.
Trader’s Joes has revised its daily store hours to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. While the popular grocery store has not yet announced item limitations, it has suspended food and beverage sampling at all stores. An additional line is being maintained outside of doors for senior customers either from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. or from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. depending on location.
Walmart said it is limiting the number of customers who can be in a store at once. Stores will now allow no more than five customers for each 1,000 square feet at a given time, roughly 20 percent of a store’s capacity.
Walmart has announced adjusted hours for all of its stores of 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Moreover, from March 24 through April 28, each store will offer an hour-long senior shopping event at 6 a.m. every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older. Pharmacies and Vision Centers will also be open during this time.
According to the announcement, Walmart has enacted product limitations in the categories of paper products, milk, eggs, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, water, diapers, wipes, formula and baby food throughout its stores.
The Auto Care Centers have been temporarily shut down to allow those associates to prioritize “stocking and cleaning in the rest of the store.” Vision Centers will continue operating on its normal schedule, but will be providing essential services only, including glasses repair and helping customers pick up existing orders. At least one associate will be present at all times, while the other associates will help in the rest of the store.
Wegmans has shifted its hours to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at New Jersey locations. In a statement posted to the store’s website, Colleen Wegman said that a two-item purchase limit has been implemented on products that are in high demand. A full list of these limited products is online.
Grocery Delivery & Curbside Pickup times continue to be “extremely limited,” though shoppers are encouraged to keep checking the available windows as they open up.
Weis is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and has reopened its Weis 2 Go online ordering with curbside pickup and home delivery except for stores in Randolph, Hillsborough and Flanders. Pickup or delivery will be available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. but some items may not be available online due to high demand.
The supermarket chain has placed limitations on a number of its products, including a purchase limit of four for disinfectant and antibacterial wipes and bread, rolls & muffins. A purchase limit of three has been enacted for eggs, and a limit of two for bath tissue, liquid and foam hand soap, hand sanitizer, bleach, shelf stable or powdered milk, gallons of milk and water.
Whole Foods hours vary by location, but seniors have an hour to shop before the general public and stores are closing early to accommodate restocking.
The governor on April 11 cut NJ Transit trains and buses to 50% capacity and ordered employees and riders to wear face coverings.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials announced previously it will begin reducing service as coronavirus continues to affect commuter ridership.
PATCO announced it is making coronavirus-related service reductions. Officials of the rail line that runs between South Jersey and Philadelphia said the schedule would be reduced and stations closed.
SEPTA is now operating on a Lifeline Service Schedule across all transportation modes as the agency urges essential travel only.
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. announced in March that the New York Stock Exchange would shift to fully electronic trading, and guaranteed that trading and regulatory oversight of all NYSE-listed securities will continue without interruption.
Nasdaq trading transitioned into electronic trading in March. There is an exception for floor brokers to be on the floor in a limited capacity.
All Motor Vehicle Commission offices are closed.
Online processing of some documents are also available on Motor Vehicle Commission’s website.
Federal Homeland Security officials extended the Oct. 1 deadline by one year for travelers to get a Real ID driver’s license that would be accepted as identification for domestic air travel.
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