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TRENTON – Gov. Phil Murphy said no to any reopening of the state based on a regional strategy May 12. Murphy said the state’s high population density militated against such an approach.
“We are the densest state in the nation,” Murphy said, as he nixed an approach that was a key component of the Cape May County proposal submitted to him May 5.
Murphy has not addressed the county proposal directly, but the decision may be a blow to an approach that was based on federal guidance that suggested that states tailor reopening criteria to local circumstances. Murphy’s statement implies that the gradual relaxation of restrictions will come only if the state, as a whole, is prepared to absorb them.
The First Legislative District team was immediately critical of the governor’s decision, arguing that it will lead to “a longer lockdown than is otherwise necessary in some parts of New Jersey.”
Murphy repeated his intent to give some hard dates on the reopening later in the week.
