Please see the following statement issued by the New Jersey Business Coalition, which the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ) is proud to be a part of, on the slow and at times, confusing timelines and guidelines for business reopening in New Jersey. The Coalition is compromised of approximately 100 business and nonprofit associations representing employers that provide millions of jobs in New Jersey and looks forward to continuing to work with the Administration and Legislature to plan the state’s economic recovery.

 

"We are at a pivotal time regarding the livelihoods of New Jerseyans and their ability to provide for themselves and their families. Thousands of our businesses are struggling to survive, and are clinging to every last resource they have in trying to make it to their prescribed reopening date, with many not even having one yet. And even then, they’ll face great challenges due to smaller capacities in which they will be required to operate.  

At the same time, we continue to see positive signs on our health data, showing our COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths on the decline. And despite increased testing, there have been no determinant spikes in New Jersey among the millions of residents who have gone to larger stores deemed essential, visited parks, beaches or boardwalks, and/or attended rallies over the past weeks and months.  

Further, the science behind COVID-19 continues to evolve as we now know that its risk of spread through asymptomatic individuals as well as on surfaces is less than first believed.  

This is all great news and has led to the lifting of the stay-at-home order and the easing of restrictions of both indoor and outdoor gatherings.  

And today, the governor presented the One Jersey Pledge, a series of safety protocols that enable businesses and organizations to objectively demonstrate the steps that have been taken to keep their premises safeguarded. This will build confidence amongst employees and patrons.  

With the safety protocol boxes checked through the One Jersey Pledge, there should be no further delay in reopening those businesses that can do so responsibly.  

We respect the governor’s phased-in reopening plan and regard for protecting human health. But the lifting of restrictions for certain activities versus others and the slow pace of state issued guidance is leaving on the sidelines thousands of businesses that can safeguard now and will pledge to do so.  

Further, New Jersey consumers are now traveling to neighboring states like Delaware and Pennsylvania for a trip to a salon, a hairstylist or a restaurant. Add to this the fact that municipalities are now passing ordinances to open at a more rapid pace and the situation only gets more confusing and economically harmful to business owners.  

With all of this in mind, we respectfully urge Governor Murphy to accommodate businesses equipped to reopen safely and to let them open as soon as they can check the One Jersey Pledge boxes. These businesses want to keep their employees, customers and contractors safe and will do what it takes.  

Livelihoods are at stake with each passing day. Business owners should not fall victim to prescriptive timelines when they show they can reopen safely within New Jersey’s markedly improved conditions." 

 

Please reach out to Hilary Chebra, Manager, Government Affairs, at hchebra@chambersnj.com if you have any questions.