N.J. still a number of weeks away from reopening from coronavirus restrictions, Gov. Murphy says – NJ.com

New Jersey is still a number of weeks away from starting to reopen from the near lockdown restrictions to slow the spread the coronavirus, Gov. Phil Murphy said Sunday morning.

Murphy also said he is still deciding whether the state will reopen as a whole or whether it could be a regional approach.

New Jersey has suffered an extraordinary toll and loss of life," Murphy said while appearing on NBCs Meet the Press Sunday, after the shows host noted the death toll from COVID-19 has surpassed the combined total number of people in the state who died fighting in Vietnam, the Korea War and World War I.

The fatalities continue to be significant each and every day," the governor said.

Murphy, who has said he plans to unveil a broad blueprint to reopen the state on Monday, said more time is needed for people to stay at home and adhere to his strict orders to mitigate the spread of the virus. He has kept those predictions vague, and recently said it would be several more weeks before restrictions would be rolled back.

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I think best the best understanding of the data right now is that we are still a number of weeks away, he said. Were not of the woods yet. The mandate to stay at home and stay away from each other is still very much in effect until we can break the back of this curve.

Asked whether people could expect the state to reopen on a regional basis, Murphy responded: While we havent made a decision on that, were going to move as one state, recognizing youve got density issues in the north that you just dont have in the south."

The coronavirus outbreak in New Jersey increased Saturday to at least 105,523 total cases, with 5,863 deaths, as state officials announced 3,457 new positive tests and 249 additional fatalities attributed to COVID-19.

New Jersey the U.S. state with the second-most coronavirus cases and related deaths has been under broad lockdown orders for more than a month. On March 21, Murphy ordered residents to stay home, except for exercise and necessary travel, banned social gatherings, and closed schools and nonessential businesses. That includes golf courses.

Another update is scheduled for midday Sunday.

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com.

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N.J. still a number of weeks away from reopening from coronavirus restrictions, Gov. Murphy says - NJ.com