NJ horse racing, child-care centers, sports reopening

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - More sectors of New Jersey’s economy will soon be opening up from restrictions stemming from COVID-19, Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday.

Horse racing can begin as soon as next weekend, while child-care centers can open on June 15. Organized sports can return a week later, and day camps by July 6, Murphy said during a news conference.

The state’s coronavirus outbreak trends are heading in the right direction, the Democratic governor said, leading him to loosen the two-month old stay-at-home order. If trends continue to go in the right direction, Murphy said church and other religious services could resume by June 12, but he stopped short of guaranteeing their reopening.

The state’s beaches were open in time for Memorial Day, and Murphy approved outdoor graduation ceremonies earlier this week.

Businesses deemed nonessential like casinos, gyms, salons and retail are still closed.

New Jersey had about 1,100 new positive cases reported overnight, bringing the state total to about 159,000. The death toll climbed by 131 overnight, reaching 11,531 overall.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. Older adults and people with existing health problems are at higher risk of more severe illness or death.