Independence Day will have a different meaning for the Class of 2020.
Outdoor graduations will be allowed in New Jersey beginning two days after the Fourth of July, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Tuesday.
"You will have your opportunity to join with your classmates and families to celebrate your graduation," Murphy told the Class of 2020.
The state Department of Education and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education will release guidance Wednesday, which will include social distancing requirements and other necessary health and safety measures.
He did not have specifics on size limits, but noted that some larger districts may be required to have multiple ceremonies at different times and maybe even different days, Murphy said.
"We want to make sure our students are given the send offs they so richly deserve," he said. "These will be graduations unlike any others."
The governor also announced the
Professional sports teams in the state also are now allowed to resume practices and even games if their leagues resume competition.
"Our administration has been in constant discussions with our professional sports teams about a modified return to operations,” Murphy said. “While leagues make their own decisions about operations, I am confident that teams are equipped to practice and eventually play in a responsible manner, protecting the health and safety of players, coaches, and team personnel.”The announcements came as the governor pointed to more positive trends, with numbers of hospitalizations down.
The total positive tests statewide are at 155,764, with 11,191 deaths. There are 2,722 resident hospitalized, down by about 1,500 over the past two weeks.There are 578 patients on ventilators, down by 350 over that same period.New hospitalizations over the most recent 24-hour period were 134 with discharges in that time frame at 131.
The reopening of the shore went well, the governor said.
The New Jersey shore will be open by Memorial Day — with restrictions.
"Our shore and our lake shores will be open," Gov. Phil Murphy said Thursday.
Social distancing will continue to be enforced, with local officials free to determine the best method for their unique area.
The opening date is May 22.
The announcement was made as hospitalizations statewide fell below 4,000 to 3,958. The 24-hour period most recently also saw 177 new hospitalizations as 366 were released.
The decision to reopen is coordinated with Delaware, New York and Connecticut, Murphy said.
