Atlantic City's casinos will close at 8 p.m. Monday, the governor announced in an effort to stave off the coronavirus' spread.
The announcement was made during a joint media call with Gov. Phil Murphy, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.
The governors said with no nationwide protocols, they decided to come together in these decisions.
"The only way to effectively fight the spread of COVID-19 is by working together as states," Lamont said. "We have shared interests, and a patchwork of closures and restrictions is not the best way forward. I know that because of this collaboration, we will save lives.
"The announcement included closing casinos, restaurants, bars, movie theaters and gyms across the three states beginning at 8 p.m. Monday.
Restaurants and bars will close for on-premise service and move to take-out and delivery services only. There will be a waiver for carry-out alcohol.
Murphy also put out an order that mandates all non-essential retail, recreational and entertainment businesses must cease daily operations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Restaurants can offer delivery and/or take out-services after 8 p.m.
The casino workers' union, Unite Here Local 54, is working with state officials and their Health and Welfare Plan "to help mitigate any economic and health effects on Local 54 members and hospitality workers" union President Bob McDevitt said.
"The reality is that for front line, hourly workers in the hospitality industry this situation threatens not only their health, but their livelihood as well. We call on both the casino /hospitality employers and (state) officials to do everything in their power to ensure that a short-term health crisis does not lead to a longer term economic crisis for working people."
— Local 54 President Bob McDevitt
Many have been asking why — after Murphy continued to cite the CDC's 250-person gathering limit — the casinos remained open amid growing concerns about the coronavirus.
He originally said casinos allowed for the suggested six-foot social distance.
Now, the three governors said the crowd capacity limit would be lowered to 50 people.
This follows updated guidance that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued yesterday recommending the cancellation or postponement of in-person events consisting of 50 people or more.
"With all we are seeing in our state — and across our nation and around the world — the time for us to take our strongest, and most direct, actions to date to slow the spread of coronavirus is now," Murphy said. "I've said many times over the past several days that, in our state, we are going to get through this as one New Jersey family. But if we're all in this together, we must work with our neighboring states to act together. The work against coronavirus isn't just up to some of us, it's up to all of us.
"The casinos' labor union will be releasing a statement about the impact on its workers, Unite Here Local 54 President Bob McDevitt told BreakingAC.
Meanwhile, online gaming will continue.
