New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy says beginning in March, venues able to host at least 5000 fans can reopen at 10-15% capacity. He made the announcement today on WFAN’s mid day show Moose & Maggie.
Murphy told Marc Malusis and Maggie Gray that the range in capacity will depend on whether venues are indoors or out. Outdoor venues will be allowed more guests. The state will also make it possible for parents to watch their kids play college sports regardless of venue, providing the venue does not exceed capacity limits.
“For both of those, everybody has to do the stuff we’re all used to these days: face coverings, social distancing, etc.,” the Governor said. “If you buy tickets together you can sit together, but otherwise, you have to social distance, and God willing, this is the first step of what I hope is many more to come.”
This all could have happened sooner if Doug Pederson had stuck with Jalen Hurts against the Washington Football Team in week 17. Governor Murphy said that he had told the New York Giants that he was planning to allow the team to host fans inside MetLife Stadium if the team had made the NFL Playoffs.
“Our teams speak to them all the time, and the last conversation I had was with John Mara the afternoon before the Eagles rolled over in the last game,” Gov. Murphy joked, “but I told John that if the Eagles lost, we’d work with them to find some way to get fans into MetLife. If things go the way I suggested, I’ll be shocked if we’re not at a higher level of capacity for football as we get into the fall. God knows we need it, all of us.”
New Jersey governors have a history of being friendly with WFAN. Former Governor Chris Christie enjoyed relationships with many FAN hosts during his time in office.
